Biome notes.notebook
October 28, 2011
What is an ecosystem?
Oct 26­10:27 AM
Ecosystems have been grouped together into larger areas known as biomes.
Biomes are described by their vegetation, temperature and precipitation
2 types: Terrestrial Biomes (Land)
Aquatic (Water)
Different animals have adapted to different habitats in order to survive. Look at page 152 ­what are some of the adaptations of the thorny devil in the picture?
We describe Biomes by their vegetation because they are the most noticeable characteristics of that area.
­Plants then determine the types of animals that could be found there.
­The plants that are found in each biome have particular characteristics that help them to survive (size, shape, and color)
Oct 26­9:05 AM
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Biome notes.notebook
October 28, 2011
Turn to page 153 in your textbook. This map shows the locations of the world's major biomes.
Using the world map I gave you along with this map...determine the biome that would be found in each of the different cities.
Oct 26­9:18 AM
Biomes of the World
Activity: 1. Decide whether the temperature is: hot, moderate, cold
2. Is the biome: wet, moderate, dry
Oct 26­9:25 AM
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Biome notes.notebook
October 28, 2011
Check your answers on page 154 using the pyramid chart for precipitation and temperatures for the various biomes. 1. Circle the ones you got correct
2. Correct the ones you missed.
The main factor that determines which plants can grow in certain areas is called CLIMATE.
What is climate? How would you describe it?
Climate ­ the weather conditions (temperature, precipitation, humidity, and winds)
­ Temperature and Precipitation are the two most important factors in determining climate.
Oct 26­9:48 AM
Oct 27­1:10 PM
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Biome notes.notebook
October 28, 2011
Most organisms are adapted to live in a certain temperature range.
Most plants are also adapted to different lengths of growing seasons. (How long they can do photosynthesis each year.)
Precipitation amounts limits the growth and the way plants grow.
Example: Cactus grow in the desert instead of large trees...why?
Take a look at the diagram on page 154 again. What do you notice about the amount of vegetation in the rainforest compared to the desert?
RANK the biomes in order from most vegetation to least.
Oct 26­9:52 AM
Biomes and vegetation vary with altitude .
latitude and Latitude is the distance North and South of the Equator and is measured in degrees.
­parallel lines running around the globe.
­the equator is 0
­Lines north of the equator are measured in degrees north.
­Lines south of the equator are measured in degrees south.
Oct 26­10:16 PM
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Biome notes.notebook
October 28, 2011
Altitude ­ the height of an object above sea level.
Climate varies with latitude and altitude
other words the climate changes the farther away from the equator you go and the higher in elevation you go.
­Climate gets colder as latitude and altitude increase...think about climbing a mountain.
. In Oct 26­10:24 PM
Oct 27­1:11 PM
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Biome notes.notebook
October 28, 2011
Longitude : Imaginary line that run from the north pole to the south pole.
Greenwich, England is considered to be the zero point of longitude.
­Locations east of here are measured in degrees East
­Locations west of here are measured in degrees West
Oct 26­10:33 PM
Let's Practice: Worksheet
Oct 26­10:36 PM
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