E Block - Biome Project

1. E Block - Biome Project Savanna Desert Chaparral Tropical Rainforest By Alex C., Jake S, Shahar D., Julia S.

2. Savanna Jacob Shearman

3. Description • Savanna is often defined as rolling grassland scattered with shrubs and isolated trees • It is typically found between tropical rainforest and desert biomes • It is commonly home to large ungulates and other strong mammals designed to compete in open landscape for similar prey • The climate is typically hot with both harsh monsoons and droughts

4. Latitude • They are found in a wide band on either side of the equator • Usually on the edges of tropical rainforests • Between latitude 30° North and 30° South

5. Temperature Range • Savannas have warm temperatures of 68° to 86° F year round, with gradual fluctuations based on season • Winter: 68°-78° F • Summer:78°-86° F

6. Annual Precipitation • There are two seasons in the savanna: a very long dry season (winter), and a very wet season (summer). • In the dry season, only about 4 inches of rain falls. • Between December and February no rain will fall at all. • In the wet season there is lots of rain (15-25 inches) • In the afternoons , the rains pour down for hours because the humid air has risen and mixed with the cooler air above • There is an annual precipitation of 10 -30 inches.

7. Grasses (Poaceae) • Savannas are characterized by a continuous cover of perennial grasses 3- 6 ft tall. • The grasses have adaptations that discourage animals from grazing on them such as sharp or bitter tastes • Many grasses grow from the bottom up, so that the growth tissue doesn't get damaged by grazers. Many plants of the savanna also have storage organs like bulbs and corms for making it though the dry season.

8. Acacia Trees • Acacia trees are one of a few tree species that can survive in the savanna • They have long roots that can reach the deep water table, thick bark to resist annual fires, and trunks that can store water. • They are tall to be out of reach, and also have thorns to prevent being eaten.

9. Giraffe • In African Savannas, the giraffe is a common species • It has a strong tongue that enables it to withstand thorn defenses of trees such as acacias • It is perfectly suited to its environment, its abnormal height allows it to feed on the tall trees • It is able to thrive as being one of the only species with the ability to reach this source of food

10. Cheetah • The cheetah is well-known for its speed • This is a direct result of its ecological niche • It needs to be able to catch prey in the open grassland of the savannas • Its coat also serves as camouflage with the grasses

11. Rain • As described earlier, savannas are characterized by monsoons and droughts depending on the season. • This influences all living organisms because they must be able to survive through both extremes • Animals, and especially plants, have adapted to this with high water-retention features and strong structures

12. Wildfires • Savannas are subject to regular wildfires • The ecosystem often appears to be the result of human fire (India is a perfect example) • While fires create the opportunity for savannas to exist, they also greatly change them through succession

13. Ecological Disturbance • I will use fire as a common ecological disturbance • These forest fires occur often, and geographers believe that it keeps the savanna healthy • If a fire was to sweep through the savanna, it would likely burn through many grasses and ruin any existing canopy • It especially limits the growth of any vegetation that isn't fire resistant • The grasses will re-grow, replacing any areas previously inhabited by trees and other shrubs • This results in a more open, grass dominated savanna

14. Bibliography • "Acacia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acacia>. • C., Alix. "savanna_australia." Blue Planet Biomes. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2011. <http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/savanna_australia.htm>. • "Google Images." Google. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2011. <http://www.google.com/imgres?q=giraffe+and+acacia+tree&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&tbm=isch&tbnid=WazAahSdVi3adM:&imgrefurl=http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/dynoGallDetail.asp%3FphotoID%3D1705295&docid=aOlogpJxxwBUGM&w=478&h=598&ei=bXV_TqHEJ-jq0gGxp9XjDw&zoom=1&iac>. • "Google Images." Google. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2011. <http://www.google.com/imgres?q=grassland&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&tbm=isch&tbnid=ToZtbOOvawqqTM:&imgrefurl=http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/grasslands.htm&docid=5fODfAxGdfAeOM&w=288&h=216&ei=rnN_TqPAOMX00gHr99HVDw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=175&vpy=181&dur=50&hovh=172&hovw>. • "Google Images." Google. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2011. <http://www.google.com/imgres?q=thermometer&um=1&hl=en&tbm=isch&tbnid=0iEZ-tafhf-ZuM:&imgrefurl=http://www.cksinfo.com/medicine/supplies/page5.html&docid=pcYT4jUQhEMGdM&w=384&h=417&ei=x39_Tui-EarX0QHjod0Y&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=319&vpy=249&dur=340&hovh=234&hov>. • "Poaceae - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poaceae>. • S., Maya. "african_savanna.htm." Blue Planet Biomes. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2011. <http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/african_savanna.htm>. • "Savanna - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savanna>. • "Savanna Biomes." Blue Planet Biomes. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2011. <http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/savanna.htm>. • "Savanna Climate." Blue Planet Biomes. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2011. <http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/savanna_climate_page.htm>. • "Tropical Savannas." Biomes. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2011. <www.radford.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/savanna/savanna.html>.

15. Desert Alex Close

16. Description • A VERY hot and dry climate • Few animals because it is hard to survive in heat • Area that looses more moisture than it gains • - Lack of rainfall • Little vegetation

17. Temperature Range • Hot days, cooler nights • Extreme maximum = 43.5-49 °C • Minimum = -18 °C • Average annual temperature range = 20-25 °C

18. Latitude • Latitude Range: 15° - 25° N and S. • Southern Asian realm • Neotropical (South and Central America) • Ethipoian (Africa) • Australia • Deserts in the USA = • Chihuahuan, Sonoran, Mojave and Great basin

19. Annual Precipitation • Average rainfall = less than 25 cm per year • Some rain is evaporated before reaching the ground • Some deserts only get 1.5 cm of rain fall per year!

20. Barrel Cactus • Vault like water storing plant body • Great volume to surface ratio to take in as much water and nutrients as possible • Can expand when it rains to store water • Large net of roots that extend far to take in water • Needles for protection

21. Saguaro Cactus • Stems store water in spongy tissue • Accordion-fold structure to store water -Roots help hold cactus down in strong winds • Expands to hold in as much water as possible

22. Zebra-tailed Lizard • Slender body and limbs to shed heat easier • Eyes set deeply so they can be protected from the sun to reduce harsh sunlight and reduce evaporation from eye liquid

23. Camel • Long eyelashes to protect from sun • Toes that spread far apart so they don’t sink into sand • Can tolerate dehydration and high body temperatures = can go for many days without water

24. 2 Abiotic Factors • Sunlight- deserts characterized by strong sun exposure, causing strong heat. Animals must adapt to sun exposure such as having long eyelashes to protect there eyes • Water- There is a lack of water in deserts. Animals and plants are able to survive for long periods of time without water.

25. Desert Fire

26. Bibliography • "The desert biome." UCMP - University of California Museum of Paleontology. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2011. <http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/deserts.php#hot>. • "Desert Biomes." Blue Planet Biomes. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2011. <http://www.blueplanetbiomes. • " Desert Animals : Camels ." Animal Information - Animal Facts and Wild Animal Pictures. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2011. <http://www.animalport.com/desert-animals/Camels.html>. • "Saguaro - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sa • "Google Images." Google. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2011. <http://www.google.com/imgres?q=camel&um=1&hl=en&client=safari&sa=N&rls=en&biw=1137&bih=724&tbm=isch&tbnid=GcWMrkGHW9uONM:&imgrefurl=http://fohn.net/camel-pictures-facts/&docid=2gA8o4MMYawFAM&w=648&h=486&ei=qQOFToTvPNSQ4gSbp4yfDw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=124&vpy>. • "Google Images." Google. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2011. <http://www.google.com/imgres?q=saguaro+cactus&um=1&hl=en&client=safari&sa=N&rls=en&biw=1137&bih=724&tbm=isch&tbnid=jao2U45vJ-gTfM:&imgrefurl=http://amazing-seeds.com/saguaro-cactus-carnegeia-gigantea-seeds-p-54.html&docid=6cbmpNsj8SAkY • Google Images." Google. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2011. <http://www.google.com/imgres?q=barrel+cactus&um=1&hl=en&client=safari&sa=N&rls=en&biw=1137&bih=724&tbm=isch&tbnid=cJN9bhMTqXm2lM:&imgrefurl=http://photo-dict.faqs.org/phrase/4387/barrel-cactus.html&docid=rebj9D5Pkt3jgM&w=525&h=700&ei=Ef-ETrCoNcrzsgaeuqDiAQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=656&vpy=250&dur=899&hovh=259&hovw=194&tx=106&ty=141&page=1&tbnh=121&tbnw=99&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:0>. • Google Images." Google. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2011. <http://www.google.com/imgres?q=barrel+cactus&um=1&hl=en&client=safari&sa=N&rls=en&biw=1137&bih=724&tbm=isch&tbnid=cJN9bhMTqXm2lM:&imgrefurl=http://photo-dict.faqs.org/phrase/4387/barrel-cactus.html&docid=rebj9D5Pkt3jgM&w=525&h=700&ei=Ef-ETrCoNcrzsgaeuqDiAQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=656&vpy=250&dur=899&hovh=259&hovw=194&tx=106&ty=141&page=1&tbnh=121&tbnw=99&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:0>.

27. Tropical Rainforest Biome: The Tropics

28. TemperatureRange • 70 degrees (night time) to 90 degrees (daytime)

29. Annual Precipitation • 50-260 inches (average 80 inches)/year • 125-660 cm2

30. Latitude • 15-25 North and South of the equator

31. Description • Humid • Colorful  green • Dark  pitch black under-story of canopy

32. Two Specific Plants that Reside in Tropical Biome: • Bougainvillea • Jambu

33. Bougainvillea • Genus: Bougainvillea; Species: spectabilis • Prefers dense forest where it can cling and grab onto plants so it can reach max. sunlight • Doesn’t like swampy areas because of the lack of soil drainage • Likes H2O but doesn’t like to hold onto H2O for long  perfect because of constant precipitation and evaporation of rain • Adaptations: hooks to grab onto trees and climb; drip tips to get rid of H2O

34. Jambu Common Name: Jambu Ayers, Djamboe Aer, Watery Rose Apple; Genus: Syzygium; Species: Aqueum • Water fruit  sweet • 10-20 feet high • Like plenty of rain perfect because rains on average 80 inches a year

35. Two Animals that Live in Tropical Biome and Ecological Niche Toco Toucan Slender Loris

36. Toco Toucan Genus: Pamphastos; Species: Toco • Bill brightly orange and black; max. eight inches in length • Strong feet and toes to support weight • Open areas  lowland rainforests; and palm groves of South America • Nests in holes of trees • Like to remain in high trees and bathe in rain water

37. Slender Loris Common name: Vangu; Genus: Loris; Species: Tardigradus Malabaricus • Nocturnal creatures 2. Prefer thick, thorny vegetation wherein they could easily escape from predators  pitch black under story works for Their advantage 3. Spend most of life in trees 4. Eat insects

38. Two Abotic Factors that Characterize this Biome: Sunlight: • Sunlight gives plants and trees the energy for photosynthesis and help keep the trees energized and growing Water: • Huge amount of rainfall each year evaporation humidity • Provides the O2 for the trees and plants for photosynthesis

39. Ecological Disturbances and Disturbances • Clear cutting of rainforests due to human activities  rainforests quickly disappearing • Because tropics are usually hammered with rain, the tropical rainforests may experience a devastating storm such as a hurricane that knocks down trees and wrecks habitats and niches for the species. Because the forest was already a community, secondary succession will take place. This means that with the soil still intact, species and populations that populated it before the disturbance may return it back to its original state. Herbaceous species begin to populate the area, then shrubs, and sinally the trees may replace most of the shrubs. Early arriving species may facilitate the appearance of the later species by making the area look more favorable. The early species then inhibit establishmetnts of later species so that later species may colonize successfully. Finally early species may tolerate the later species so that they do not help or hinder colonization of the later arrivals.

40. Content Bibliography • Michael G., Tropical Rainforest: Climate, http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/rainforest.htm (September 23, 2011) • [1] Michael G. Tropical Rainforest, http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/rainforest.htm (September 23,2011) • [1] Michael G., Tropical Rainforest: Plant: Bougainvillea, Jambu http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/rnfrst_plant_page.htm (September 23,2011) • [1] Michael G., Tropical Rainforest: Toco Toucan, Slender Loris, http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/rnfrst_animal_page.htm (September 23, 2011)

41. Picture Bibliography Background: Rainforest and Vegetation, http://room42.wikispaces.com/Rainforest+Vegetation (September 21, 2011) Bougainvillea http://www.worldproutassembly.org/archives/2006/04/you_owe_a_debt.html, (September 21, 2011) Jambu http://www.flickr.com/photos/tjetjep/2373449498/ , (september 21, 2011) Toco Toucan http://www.victorialodging.com/image/toco-toucan, (September 21,2011) Slender Loris http://www.davidmixner.com/2011/08/endangered-species-the-slender-loris.html, (September 21, 2011)

42. Chaparral Julia Schiantarelli

43. Chaparral Description • Hot and dry summers • Mild winters • Most of the plants in the chaparral are shrubs and small trees.

44. Temperature Range: • Between 30 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit

45. Average Annual Precipitation • Between 20 and 30 inches • Lack of precipitation sometimes leads to droughts

46. Latitude • Between 30 and 40 degrees N • Between 30 and 40 degrees S • The chaparral is on the west coast of North America (predominantly in California), South America, South Africa, and Australia. The chaparral is also found along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

47. What is the chaparral? • The chaparral is a scrubland made up of drought-resistant plants and medium/small sized mammals.

48. Plants of the chaparral: • Fire poppy, Papavercalifornicum– Why it grows in the chaparral: • Fires are relatively frequent in the chaparral. This species germinates profusely immediately following a fire. • However they disappear as the chaparral species return. • The seeds will then germinate when a fire next comes through the area.

49. Fire Poppy

50. Plants of the chaparral: • Birch-leaf Mountain Mahogany, Cercocarpusmontanus– Why it lives in the chaparral: • It had the ability to to cope with severe drought, changes in climate, and poor soil. • This tree also doesn’t burn as quickly as other shrubs in the chaparral. • Loses its leaves during the hot, dry season to conserve water.