3.1 Canada's Biomes
Lesson 3.1 Canada's Biomes
Jun 4­7:26 PM
As you go down the list, the terms include more and more biotic and abiotic factors. May 17­2:04 PM
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3.1 Canada's Biomes
Biome ­ a large geographic area with a similar climate Biosphere ­ the region on Earth where life exists. It extends from the bottom of the ocean to the lower atmosphere.
May 17­2:03 PM
Canada can be divided into four major biomes in which
different types of flora and fauna can be found. These
regions are classified according to the types of plants
and animals that are naturally found in the region.
Jun 4­10:33 PM
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3.1 Canada's Biomes
Jun 4­10:31 PM
Tundra Biome
Take a look at the following photos and brainstorm with your group some characteristics of the tundra biome.
Sep 20­10:51 AM
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3.1 Canada's Biomes
Like a desert, the tundra receives little precipitation,
often only 10 to 12 cm per year.
The most important abiotic factor in the tundra is the
length of the growing season.
Decompostion of plant and animal matter is extremely
slow in cold temperatures.
Sep 20­10:53 AM
The cycling of matter is slow because there are few
bacteria and fungi.
There is only a small amount of organic matter in the
thin soil called the active layer.
The layer of soil that never thaws is called the permafrost.
Jun 4­7:22 PM
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3.1 Canada's Biomes
Sep 20­10:54 AM
Sep 20­11:04 AM
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3.1 Canada's Biomes
Boreal Forest - Taiga Biome
Take a look at the following photos and brainstorm with your group some characteristics of the boreal forest biome.
Sep 20­10:51 AM
Dominated by conifers, the boreal forest is found
in every province and makes up approximately 80%
of the forested areas.
The boreal forest receives more precipitation
than the tundra because of the mixing of warm
and cold air.
Higher temperatures allow organic matter to
decompose more rapidly.
Sep 23­9:45 AM
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3.1 Canada's Biomes
Soil is also more acidic, because decay of conifer needles
produces acids.
Thin needle-like leaves of conifers have a small surface
area, and lose little water during winter.
Only shade-loving plants such as moss and ferns can grow
on the forest floor because conifers do not shed their
leaves. Therefore, food sources are limited.
Jun 4­7:30 PM
Sep 23­9:36 AM
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3.1 Canada's Biomes
Sep 23­9:44 AM
Temperate Deciduous Forest Biome
Take a look at the following photos and brainstorm with your group some characteristics of the Temperate Deciduous forest biome.
Sep 20­10:51 AM
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3.1 Canada's Biomes
Has a wide ecotone, therefore trees native to both boreal
and deciduous forests can be found.
The broad leaves of deciduous trees maximize light capture
for photosynthesis, which allows the trees to compete
successfully with conifers.
Higher temperatures, which allow faster decomposition, and
the organic matter available from fallen leaves provide the
basis for formation of a richer soil than is found in the
boreal forest.
Sep 23­9:51 AM
Because the large trees shed their leaves, sunlight is
able to reach the forest floor in the spring and lower
level plants (small trees, shrubs, and ferns) are able to grow
Layers of a Deciduous Forest
• Canopy
• Understorey/undergrowth
• Litter
Jun 5­9:45 AM
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3.1 Canada's Biomes
Sep 23­9:49 AM
Sep 23­9:50 AM
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3.1 Canada's Biomes
Grassland Biome
tropical
mid­latitude
Take a look at the following photos and brainstorm with your group some characteristics of the grassland forest biome.
Sep 20­10:51 AM
The abiotic factors of the grassland are similar to those
of the deciduous forest with one notable exception,
grasslands receive less moisture.
There is not enough water to support trees, except near
rivers, lakes, and ponds.
The fires also acted like decomposers, speeding the return
of nutrients to the soil.
Sep 23­10:17 AM
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3.1 Canada's Biomes
The black earth of grasslands is the most fertile soil in the
world. The grasses provide great biomass for decomposition
and the hot summer temperatures promote rapid decay.
The length of the grasses was regulated by rainfall. More rain
means longer grass.
While deciduous forests have three levels that support animals,
grasslands have only one layer, so biodiversity is lower.
Jun 4­10:24 PM
Grassland Vegetation
• Types of grasslands (10" to 30"
rainfall/year)
• tall-grass - wetter climate
• short-grass - dryer climate
Sep 23­10:17 AM
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3.1 Canada's Biomes
Some of the grasslands are tropical and some
are mid-latitude. Grasslands names vary with
geography:
• North America: Prairies
• South America: Pampas
• Eurasia: Steppes
• Africa: Savanna, Veldt
Jun 4­10:28 PM
Sep 23­10:16 AM
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3.1 Canada's Biomes
Sep 23­10:15 AM
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