Bright blue marble floating in space

Ecology

Chapter 52

2005-2006

Earth’s biomes

2005-2006

Environmental factors• Abiotic factors– non-living chemical & physical factors• temperature• light• water• nutrients

• Biotic factors– living components• animals• plants

2005-2006

Marine

intertidal

coral reef

benthos

2005-2006

Tropical rainforest

distribution: equatorial

precipitation: very wet

temperature: always warm

characteristics: many plants & animals, thin soil

2005-2006

Savanna

distribution: equatorial

precipitation: seasonal, dry season/wet season

temperature: always warm

characteristics: fire-adapted, drought tolerant plants; herbivores; fertile soil

2005-2006

Desert

distribution: 30°N & S latitude band

precipitation: almost

temperature: variable daily & seasonally, hot & cold

characteristics: sparse vegetation & animals, cacti, succulents, drought tolerant, reptiles, insects, rodents, birds

2005-2006

Temperate Grassland

distribution: mid-latitudes, mid-continents

precipitation: seasonal, dry season/wet season

temperature: cold winters/hot summerscharacteristics: prairie grasses, fire-adapted, drought tolerant plants; many herbivores; deep, fertile soil

2005-2006

Temperate Deciduous Forest

distribution: mid-latitude, northern hemisphere

precipitation: adequate, summer rains, winter snow

temperature: moderate warm summer/cool winter

characteristics: many mammals, insects, birds, etc.; deciduous trees; fertile soils

2005-2006

Coniferous Forest (Taiga)

distribution: high-latitude, northern hemisphere

precipitation: adequate to dry (temperate rain forest on coast)

temperature: cool year round

characteristics: conifers; diverse mammals, birds, insects, etc.

2005-2006

Arctic Tundra

distribution: arctic, high-latitude, northern hemisphere

precipitation: dry

temperature: cold year round

characteristics: permafrost, lichens & mosses, migrating animals & resident herbivores

2005-2006

Alpine Tundra

distribution: high elevation at all latitudes

precipitation: dry

temperature: cold year round

characteristics: permafrost, lichens, mosses, grasses; migrating animals & resident herbivores