Ch 21- Ecosystems and Biomes notes
Biome- a very large ecosystem characterized by it’s climax community
Climax Community- a collection of plants and animals that results from
an ecosystem being in equilibrium with its’ CLIMATE
12 types of Biomes – 8 Terrestrial, 4 Aquatic
1. Tundra- found only in northern latitudes of the Northern
Hemisphere. Top layer of soil is frozen (called permafrost) which
allows no trees to grow. Has animals like the artic fox, snowy owl
and Musk Ox.
2. Taiga- also known as coniferous forests- Northern North America
and Northern Europe/Asia, has cone bearing plants like pines, firs
and many ferns. Has bears, weasels, woodpeckers etc.
3. Tropical rain forest- warm rainy climate. Has highest biodiversity
of any terrestrial biome. Has huge canopied trees that allow exotic
creatures to survive (snakes, cougars, poisonous frogs, colorful birds,
monkeys etc)
4. Temperate deciduous forest- mostly leaf bearing plants that
change color during the seasons (maples, oaks etc). Has deer,
squirrel, raccoon etc
5. Temperate Grassland- grasslands usually separate forests from
deserts. MIDDLE USA-the plains and prairies - TORNADO ALLEY
(KNOT) Has large grazing herbivores like bison and antelopes,
6. Savanna- Savannas are grasslands with scattered trees. Savanna
make up more than half of Africa’s scenery. Savannas are found in
warm hot climates with lots of rain half the year. Major Animals;
zebras, elephants, giraffes- lots of herbivores.
7. Chaparral –Very similar to Desert- biome is found in a little bit of
most of the continents - It is sometimes used in movies for the "Wild
West".
Chaparral is characterized as being very hot and dry. Similar plants and
animals as desert!
8. Desert- we live in a desert. Little rainfall. Hot in summer/cold in
winter. Vegetation consists of brush and cacti. Animals include
rattlesnakes, scorpions, jack rabbits etc.
Aquatic Biomes
2 Types- Freshwater & Ocean/Sea
FRESHWATER
1-Lakes and Ponds-still water
a- Eutrophic – very rich in organic material- very
murky- lots of algae and bacteria- low oxygen levels
Lake Mead is becoming eutrophic
bcb-Oligotrophic- little organic matter- very clear
lakes- great for drinking
Lake Tahoe near RENO
2- Rivers and Streams- running water
Moving water allows for few creatures to stay in one place
3- Wetlands- two types
a- Marshes- contain non-woody plants like cattails
b- Swamps- contain many woody plants and have a
wide variety of life- amphibians, large carnivores
OCEAN Biome
Has 4 sections
1Intertidal- area where tide rises/falls. These
creatures need to be able to be in/out of water.
Clams, starfish.
2-
Neretic – zone from low tide line to continental
shelf. Lots of shellfish. Coral reefs. Good place
for diving, lots of shipwrecks