22.4 Biomes page 758

1. 22.4 Biomes page 758 • Key Concepts: What are the six major biomes found on Earth? What factors determine the type of biome found in an area? What do freshwater and marine ecosystems include? • Key terms: biome, canopy, understory, desert, grassland, savanna, deciduous tree, coniferous tree, tundra, permafrost, estuary, intertidal zone, neritic zone

2. Biomes • A biome is a group of land ecosystems with similar climates and organisms • The six major biomes that most ecologists study are the rain forest, desert, grassland, deciduous forest, boreal forest, and tundra • It is mostly the climate – temperature and precipitation – in an area that determines its biome.

3. Rain forest biomes • Temperate rain forests – have moderate temperatures • Northwestern coast of US receives more than 300 cm of rain per year. Huge trees grow. • Tropical rain forests – regions close to the equator • Canopy – leafy roof area • Second layer – understory • Forest floor

4. Desert biomes • Deserts are areas that receive less than 25 cm of rain per year • The amount of evaporation in a desert is greater than the precipitation. • Often undergo shifts in temperature from day to night • Organisms have to be accustomed to little rain and huge temperature differences

5. Grassland biomes • Prairies • Temperatures are more comfortable than the desert • Gets more rain, but not enough for trees to grow • Area that is populated mostly by grasses and other non-woody plants • Most receive 25 to 75 cm of rain per year • Savannas receive 120 cm of rain per year and are located close to the equator

6. Deciduous forest biomes • Deciduous trees – trees that shed their leaves and grow new ones each year. Oaks and maples for example. • Forests receive enough rain to support tree growth, at least 50 cm per year. • Temps vary greatly • A lot of wildlife, but not during the winter.

7. Boreal forest biomes • Colder climates • Boreal forest plants – coniferous trees – trees that produce their seeds in cones and have leaves shaped like needles. • Boreal forest is sometimes referred to by its Russian name, the taiga. • Trees are well adapted to cold • Animals – eat the seeds produced by the coniferous trees.

8. Tundra biomes • Tundra – extremely cold and dry biome. May receive no more precipitation than a desert. Most of the soil in the tundra is frozen all year. The frozen soil is called permafrost. • Tundra plants – mosses, grasses, shrubs

9. Mountains and ice • Some places are covered year round with ice, like mountain ranges. • These areas are not considered part of any particular biome.

10. Freshwater ecosystems • Freshwater ecosystems include streams, rivers, ponds and lakes.

11. Marine Ecosystems • Estuary – found where fresh water of a river meets the salt water of the ocean • Marine ecosystems include estuaries, intertidal zones, neritic zones, and the open ocean.

12. Intertidal zones • The area between the highest high-tide line and the lowest low-tide line. • Organisms survive pounding waves and sudden changes in water levels and temperatures.

13. Neritic Zones • Below the low-tide is a region of shallow water which extends over the continental shelf. • Photosynthesis can occur here.

14. Open Oceans • Light penetrates only a few hundred meters deep. • The deep zone is located below the surface zone. The deep zone is almost totally dark.