Biomes
A specific climax community or
ecosystem found in area
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I. Aquatic Biomes
• Oceans
• Freshwaters
• Estuary
A. Ocean (Salt Water)
>3 % salt
1. Important source of
atmospheric O2
2. Affects weather
3. Limiting factors:
* light
* O2
* salt concentration.
4. Example organisms:
* algae
* mussels
* phytoplankton
(photosynthesizers)
* zooplankton
* sponges
* whales
* crabs
* burrowing worms
* fish
a. Intertidal Zone- Area
between high and low tide
i. Organisms that can attach to bottom
surface or burrow thrive (EX. Algae and
mussels)
ii. Subject to a great deal of water
movement
Low tide
Light-foot crab
Shells
Blood Sea Star
b. Neritic Zone
• i. From edge of low
tide to the drop off
• ii. Coral reefs
c. Seafloor
i.
ii.
iii.
Shelter for:
*sponges
* crabs
* burrowing worms
Continental shelf
alters environment
Limiting factors:
* light
* O2
*salt concentration
d.
Open-Sea Zone
i. Home to a diverse group of organisms
including:
* phytoplankton (photosynthesizers)
Big eye Jacks
*zooplankton
*whales
*fish
ii. What we normally think of when we picture
the ocean.
Moray
Shark
dolphin
e. Deep-sea Zone
i. Cold
Temperature
ii. High Pressure
iii. Little Light
iii. ex:
Bioluminescent
Organisms, Squid
The Real Deal in the Deep Sea
B.
Rivers, Streams, Lakes,
and Ponds (Freshwater)
<1% salt
1. Bacteria (decomposing) on
the bottom
2. Temperature greatly
affects the ecosystem
3. Organisms well
adapted for water
movement
4. Limiting factors:
*light
*O2
*nitrogen
*phosphorus
C. Estuaries- The area where
freshwater meets salt water
1%-3% salt
1. Salinity varies greatly
2. Among most productive ecosystems on
Earth
3. Limiting Factor: salt tolerance
Ex. Everglades
II.
Terrestrial Biomes
A. Tundra
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Northern most land
biome
Contains permafrost
Plants have
SHALLOW fibrous
root systems
Example organisms:
*shrubs
* caribou
* snowshoe hare
* insects
* birds
Limiting factors:
* temperature
* rainfall
B.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Taiga
South of the tundra
Ground thaws
completely
Dominated by
coniferous (pine)
forest
Limiting factors:
* light
* temperature
Example organisms:
* pines
* wolverine
* moose
* wolves
C.
Temperate Deciduous Forest
1.
2.
Lose leaves seasonally
Forest floor has a rich
nutrient layer (from
decaying leaves) known as
humus
3. Limiting factors:
* light
* temperature
4. Example organisms:
* oak
* aspen
* maple * birds
* deer
* squirrels
5. Our biome
D. Grasslands
1. Savanna- grasslands with
patches of trees.
a. Warm temperatures
ALL year
b. Wet and dry seasons
c. Example organisms:
* zebras
* giraffes
* baboons
* mice
2. Prairies and plains
a. Hot summers but
cold winters
b. Example organisms:
* prairie dogs
* mice
* bison
3. Limiting factor: rainfall
E.
Desert
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
1.
Receives less than 25 cm of
rain per year
Can be cold
Plants are dormant during
dry periods
Once water arrives growth
is quick and beautiful
North or south of equator
Limiting factors:
*rainfall
* temperature
Example organisms:
* shrubs
* cacti
* ants
* birds
* rodents
*snakes
*hawks
F.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Tropical Rainforests
High temperatures and
rainfall all year
200 cm or more of rain
annually
VERY diverse wildlife
Soil VERY poor
Near or at equator
Limiting factors:
* light
* soil composition
Example organisms:
* Monkeys
* Bats
* Frogs