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Uncover the fascinating world of biomes and their role in shaping plant and animal life globally. Learn about climate patterns, soil types, dominant species, and the concept of exotic, endemic, and cosmopolitan species.
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Rule of Climatic Similarity States that similar environments lead to the evolution of organisms similar in form and function and to similar ecosystems This rule leads to the concept of the biome Biomes are the major regional groupings of plants and animals discernible at a global scale.
Understanding Biomes We need to know: • The global distribution pattern • The general characteristics of the climate and specific temperature and/or precipitation patterns. • Other aspects of the physical environment that can effect plant growth
Understanding Biomes cont… • The soil order(s) that characterize the biome • The dominant and characteristic plant species in the biome • The species of animals in the biome
Species Types • Exotic species – a species introduced into a new geographic area • Endemic species – a species that is native to a particular area and not native elsewhere • Cosmopolitan species – a species with a broad distribution, occurring all over the world whenever the environment is appropriate