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An Overview of Biomes: Types and Characteristics of Earth's Ecosystems

Biomes are vast ecosystems sharing similar climax communities, stable environments with little species change. There are two main types of biomes: Aquatic and Terrestrial. Aquatic biomes, including marine and freshwater, cover 75% of Earth's surface, exhibiting various zones like photic and aphotic. Terrestrial biomes encompass Tundra, Taiga, Desert, Grassland, Temperate Forests, and Tropical Rain Forests, each characterized by unique climates, soil types, and biodiversity. Understanding these biomes is crucial for appreciating Earth's ecological diversity and the adaptations of species within them.

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An Overview of Biomes: Types and Characteristics of Earth's Ecosystems

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  1. Biomes: An Overview • Question: What is a biome? • Answer: Large group of ecosystems that share the same type of climax community Climax community= stable, mature community that undergoes little or no change in species. • Question: How many types of biomes are there? • Answer: 2: Aquatic and Terrestrial

  2. Ocean/Marine • Covers ¾ of the earth’s surface • Highest level of biomass (living material) • Two zones a: photic=shallow levels with light b: aphotic=deep waters with no light

  3. Freshwater • Rivers, lakes and ponds • Living things are near to the warmer surface • Less biomass than the ocean Spring / Fall Overturn

  4. Tundra • South of the north pole • Long summer days • Short winter sunlight • Treeless terrain, with little other plant-life • Permafrost=permanently frozen under the topsoil • Few living animals (oxen, snowshoe hares, reindeer)

  5. Taiga • South of the tundra • Northern Coniferous forest • Poor soil for growth due to coniferous needles (lacks permafrost) and slow decay • Long winters, short summers (warmer than tundra) • More living organisms than the tundra

  6. Desert • Driest region (less than 25cm of precipitation) • Almost nonexistent plant life • Can be Cold!!!! • Living things have adaptations to survive (cacti=thorns) • Example animals=owls, kangaroo rat, coyotes. • Example plants=shrubs, mesquite trees, cacti

  7. Grassland • Moderate precipitation (25-75cm) • Covered with grasses and small plants • Largest terrestrial biome (bison, wolves, humans) • Called prairies (Canada/U.S.A), savannas in Africa, steppes in Russia • More area than any other biome in the world • 4 seasons!

  8. Temperate Forests • Approximately 70-150 cm of precipitation • Broad-leaf trees (lose foliage) • Top layer of soil is rich • Deep layer made of clay • 4 seasons • Birds, mice, deer, bears make up common animals

  9. Tropical Rain Forest • More species than any other biome on earth…why? • This area was never covered with ice during the Ice Age, so large scale extinction did not occur • Typically warm in temperature due to proximity to the equator • Wet=more than 200cm of rainfall • Poor soil due to large amount of decomposers

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