Biome Interactive

Earth's Biomes

Aquatic Biomes

Oceanic

Freshwater

Desert

Grassland

Boreal Forest

Tropical Forest

Temperate Forest

Forests

Tundra

As humans we tend to impact the environment. Some impacts include: Deforestation (habitat loss) Building roads and cities (habitat fragmentation) Burning of fossil fuels releases CO2, which in turn, Creates acid rain Lowers the pH of the ocean We can lesson or impact by: Protecting biodiversity hotspots (places rich in biodiversity) Sustainable management of natural resources (wood, water, land use) Supporting laws such as the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act Lowering our carbon footprint

Why do we have different biomes across the globe? Why are some full of tall forests while others are barren with only moss and lichen growing? Basically, it all comes down to location. Land masses at the poles receive a lot less sunlight, and are consequently much colder. Long cold winters makes it difficult to support plant and animal species. Land masses near the equator are much warmer, and increased evaporation means more annual rainfall. We see much more biodiversity in biomes near the equator. If you examine the map on slide 1, you will notice geographical patterns.

Below is a climatogram showing the temperature and annual rainfall in the desert.

Below is a climatogram showing the temperature and annual rainfall in the grassland. Cold winters and Hot Summers

There is another biome similar(ish) the the desert, and that is the Chaparral Biome! The chaparral biome, also known as the Mediterranean forest biome, is found in coastal areas that have mild winters and hot, dry summers.

Below is a climatogram showing the temperature and annual rainfall in the tropical rainforest.

Below is a climatogram showing the temperature and annual rainfall in the temperate deciduous forest.

Below is a climatogram showing the temperature and annual rainfall in the taiga.

Below is a climatogram showing the temperature and annual rainfall in the tundra.

If you've ever watched a TV program about African wildlife, you've seen a savanna biome. This transitional grassland biome – somewhere between a forest and a desert – is characterized by warm temperatures, moderate rainfall, fires, seasonal droughts, coarse grasses and diverse animals

Freshwater Zones Lakes and Ponds i) Oligotrophic lakes are clear and lacking in nutrients. ii) Eutrophic lakes are rich in nutrients and are often Murky. In Ponds light penetrates to the bottom. Rivers and Streams are bodies of water that flow down an elevation gradient within a watershed.

Freshwater Wetlands are areas of land, such as marshes and swamps, that are covered with fresh water for at least part of each year. i) Marsh –contains nonwoody plants such as cattails ii) Swamp –are dominated by woody plants such as trees and shrubs. iii) Bog-is dominated by sphagnum moss.

Ocean Zones- the ocean covers about 70% of the earth's surface and has average depth of 3.7 km (2.3 mi) A) The photic zone in the ocean receives light, but the aphotic Zone does not.

Other zones of the ocean are defined based on their relative locations. 1) The Intertidal Zone has organisms that must be able to tolerate drying and pounding by waves. High Tides and Low Tides 2) Neritic Zone receives nutrients from the bottom of the ocean and from land. a) It is the ocean’s richest zone in terms of the number of species and individuals. b) Relatively shallow water depths to about 180 m.

The Oceanic Zone has limited production due to a shortage of nutrients.