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Biomes: Global Biomes: Global Patterns of LifePatterns of Life

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Terrestrial BiomesTerrestrial Biomes

• BiomesBiomes - Areas sharing similar climate, - Areas sharing similar climate, topographic and soil conditions, and roughly topographic and soil conditions, and roughly comparable communities.comparable communities.– Temperature and precipitation determine biome Temperature and precipitation determine biome

distribution.distribution.• Identified by the dominant plantsIdentified by the dominant plants

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BiomesBiomes

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ClimatogramsClimatograms

• Climatograms-a graph of the average monthly Climatograms-a graph of the average monthly rainfall and average monthly temperature from rainfall and average monthly temperature from a given areaa given area

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Aquatic EcosystemsAquatic Ecosystems

Factors that effect:Factors that effect:

• TemperatureTemperature: : ↓ with ↓ with depthdepth

•affects dissolved gases, rates of chemical reactions, and affects dissolved gases, rates of chemical reactions, and where organisms can livewhere organisms can live

• Light (solar radiation): Light (solar radiation): ↓ with depth↓ with depth

•essential for photosynthesisessential for photosynthesis

• Dissolved oxygenDissolved oxygenVaries with temperature, producers, and consumers; essential Varies with temperature, producers, and consumers; essential for respiration of organismsfor respiration of organisms

• Nutrient availabilityNutrient availability Most limiting macronutrients are phosphorus (P) and nitrogen Most limiting macronutrients are phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N); limiting micronutrients include iron (Fe); essential for (N); limiting micronutrients include iron (Fe); essential for growth of phytoplankton.growth of phytoplankton.

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Aquatic EnvironmentsAquatic Environments• Saltwater and freshwater cover 71% of earth’sSaltwater and freshwater cover 71% of earth’s

surface.surface.

• Two types of aquatic environments determined by Two types of aquatic environments determined by salinity (amounts of various dissolved salts)salinity (amounts of various dissolved salts)– FreshwaterFreshwater: <1% salt and only 1% of earth: <1% salt and only 1% of earth

• Lakes, ponds, streams, rivers, inland marshesLakes, ponds, streams, rivers, inland marshes

– SaltwaterSaltwater (marine): >70% of earth (marine): >70% of earth

• Estuaries, coastlines, coral reefs, costal marshes, Estuaries, coastlines, coral reefs, costal marshes, mangrove swamps, and oceansmangrove swamps, and oceans

• Hydrologic cycle connects all aquatic environments!Hydrologic cycle connects all aquatic environments!

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Sample Food ChainSample Food Chain

Moray Eel

Octopus

Coral

Zooplankton

Phytoplankton

Starfish

•Type of organisms determined by their tolerance Type of organisms determined by their tolerance of salinity (fresh vs. salt).of salinity (fresh vs. salt).

•Plankton play a crucial role in the food chainPlankton play a crucial role in the food chain

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PlanktonPlankton

PlanktonPlankton

• PhytoplanktonPhytoplankton- “phyto” = - “phyto” = plant (i.e. diatoms, or plant (i.e. diatoms, or algae)algae)

• Zooplankton-Zooplankton- “zoo” = “zoo” = animal (i.e. protozoans and animal (i.e. protozoans and small crustaceans)small crustaceans)

Bottom: Diatoms found between icesheets in Antarctica

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Aquatic OrganismsAquatic Organisms4 major types of organisms4 major types of organisms

– PlanktonPlankton (zoo- and phyto) (zoo- and phyto)

– NektonNekton (fish, turtles, whales) (fish, turtles, whales)

– BenthosBenthos (bottom-dwellers such as oysters) (bottom-dwellers such as oysters)

– DecomposersDecomposers (mostly bacteria) (mostly bacteria)

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Oceans Oceans

-All 36 animal phyla are found here (only 10 on land)-All 36 animal phyla are found here (only 10 on land)

-Currents distribute solar heat-Currents distribute solar heat

-Reservoir for carbon dioxide (CO-Reservoir for carbon dioxide (CO22))

-Regulates temp of the atmosphere-Regulates temp of the atmosphere

-Habitat for plants and animals, critical food sources -Habitat for plants and animals, critical food sources

© Brooks/Cole Publishing Company / ITP

Saltwater (Marine)Saltwater (Marine)

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Life Zones of the OceanLife Zones of the Ocean• Zones defined by amount of solar radiation penetrating the Zones defined by amount of solar radiation penetrating the

waterwater

• Zones:Zones:

•Intertidal zoneIntertidal zone

•Pelagic zonePelagic zone

•Abyssal zoneAbyssal zone

•Benthic zoneBenthic zone

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OceansOceans

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Intertidal ZoneIntertidal Zone• Where the ocean meets the landWhere the ocean meets the land

– Sometimes submerged and at Sometimes submerged and at other times exposed other times exposed

– Waves and tides come in and outWaves and tides come in and out

• Communities are constantly changingCommunities are constantly changing– Types of organisms that live here?Types of organisms that live here?

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Pelagic ZonePelagic Zone• Open oceanOpen ocean

• Thermal stratification with a constant mixing of Thermal stratification with a constant mixing of warm and cold ocean currentswarm and cold ocean currents

• Open ocean is the LEAST productive of aquatic Open ocean is the LEAST productive of aquatic life zones PER UNIT VOLUME.life zones PER UNIT VOLUME.

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Epipelagic

Mesopelagic

Bathypelagic

Abyssalpelagic

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Epipelagic ZoneEpipelagic Zone• extends down to around 200m extends down to around 200m

– lowest depth that light can penetrate (photic zone)lowest depth that light can penetrate (photic zone)

• flora in the epipelagic zone include surface flora in the epipelagic zone include surface seaweeds and phytoplanktonseaweeds and phytoplankton

• fauna include many species of fish and some fauna include many species of fish and some mammals, such as whales and dolphinsmammals, such as whales and dolphins

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Mesopelagic ZoneMesopelagic Zone

• ""twilight zone" of the ocean twilight zone" of the ocean – photic zone abovephotic zone above– darkness below darkness below

• food becomes scarce – some animals: food becomes scarce – some animals: – migrate up to the surface at night to feedmigrate up to the surface at night to feed– rely on food that falls down from aboverely on food that falls down from above– eat each othereat each other

• sometimes the only things to eat may be bigger than the sometimes the only things to eat may be bigger than the hunterhunter

– developed long sharp teethdeveloped long sharp teeth– expandable jaws and stomachs expandable jaws and stomachs

19http://oceanlink.island.net/oinfo/deepsea/meso.html

ctenophore – related to jellyfish Big Scale - ambush predator cilia can be illuminated

Firefly squid three kinds of photophores

Hatchet Fishonly a few inches long Viperfish specially adapted hinged skull

Dragonfish - stomachs hold big meals

Snipeelup to 1.2m Siphonophores are colonies of animals related to jellyfish best known is Portugese Man of War

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Bathypelagic ZoneBathypelagic Zone

• extends down from 1000 to 4000m extends down from 1000 to 4000m

• only light is from bioluminescent organismsonly light is from bioluminescent organisms

• only food is what trickles down from above, or only food is what trickles down from above, or from eating other animalsfrom eating other animals

• water pressure at this depth is considerable water pressure at this depth is considerable (~100 – 400 atmospheres)(~100 – 400 atmospheres)

• most animals are either black or red in colormost animals are either black or red in color

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Narcomedusa

Vampire Squid

Snake Dragon

Angler Fish

Amphi - crustacean

Ctenophore – voracious predator

Deepstaria very slow swimmers, no tentacles, close flexible bells (up to a meter across) around their prey

Big Red grows to over a meter across

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Abyssopelagic Zone - the AbyssAbyssopelagic Zone - the Abyss

• 4000m to the sea floor4000m to the sea floor• home to pretty inhospitable living conditionshome to pretty inhospitable living conditions

– near- freezing temperatures near- freezing temperatures – crushing pressures crushing pressures

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Deep Water SquidDeep Water Squid

BasketstarBasketstar

Sea Pig Sea Spider Sea Pig Sea Spider

ShrimpShrimp

Winged Sea CucumberWinged Sea Cucumber

MedussaMedussa

Deep Sea Smoker - Deep Sea Smoker - 648°F648°F

Deep-sea AnemoneDeep-sea Anemone Hydrothermal Vent Hydrothermal Vent

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Coral ReefsCoral Reefs

• Coral Reefs –formed by mutualism between polyps Coral Reefs –formed by mutualism between polyps and algaeand algae– Reefs built as colonies of polyps secrete limestone; hard Reefs built as colonies of polyps secrete limestone; hard

deposits remain when the polyps diedeposits remain when the polyps die

• Reefs located in coastal zones of tropical oceansReefs located in coastal zones of tropical oceans

• Protect coastlines from storms and high wavesProtect coastlines from storms and high waves

• Nurseries for many fish speciesNurseries for many fish species

• Highly productive areaHighly productive area

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Human Impacts on Coral ReefsHuman Impacts on Coral Reefs• VulnerabilityVulnerability

– Slow growingSlow growing

– Easily disturbedEasily disturbed

– Thrive only in clear waterThrive only in clear water

• Human ImpactsHuman Impacts– Sediment runoff and effluentSediment runoff and effluent

– Increased UV radiationIncreased UV radiation

– Fishing with cyanide and dynamiteFishing with cyanide and dynamite

– All lead to coral bleachingAll lead to coral bleaching

– DisappearingDisappearing

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Tidal EnvironmentsTidal Environments

• Tidal Marshes and EstuariesTidal Marshes and Estuaries – partially – partially enclosed body of water formed when rivers enclosed body of water formed when rivers and oceans meetand oceans meet– Brackish waterBrackish water

– Carry rich sediments from downstreamCarry rich sediments from downstream• Estuaries are extremely fertile because nutrients are Estuaries are extremely fertile because nutrients are

brought in by rivers and recycled from the bottom brought in by rivers and recycled from the bottom because of the turbulence.because of the turbulence.

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Tidal Marshes and EstuariesTidal Marshes and Estuaries

• High species diversity and productivityHigh species diversity and productivity

• Estuaries are sometimes called “marine nurseries” Estuaries are sometimes called “marine nurseries” – habitats for many juvenile organisms, especially for fisheshabitats for many juvenile organisms, especially for fishes

– many fish are born and grow up in estuariesmany fish are born and grow up in estuaries• 2/3 of all marine fish and shellfish spawn or develop in estuaries2/3 of all marine fish and shellfish spawn or develop in estuaries

– migrate to the open oceanmigrate to the open ocean

• Waterfowl and shorebird breeding areasWaterfowl and shorebird breeding areas

• Filter water pollutantsFilter water pollutants

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Human ImpactsHuman Impacts

-World has lost over half of its estuaries and -World has lost over half of its estuaries and coastal wetlandscoastal wetlands

-Percentage lost in the U.S. even higher;-Percentage lost in the U.S. even higher;most lost to coastal developmentmost lost to coastal development

-Causes of degradation urban runoff, sewage -Causes of degradation urban runoff, sewage treatment plant effluent, sediment and chemical treatment plant effluent, sediment and chemical runoff from agricultural landsrunoff from agricultural lands

© Brooks/Cole Publishing Company / ITP

Estuaries and Tidal MarshesEstuaries and Tidal Marshes

29© Brooks/Cole Publishing Company / ITP

Barrier Islands-Barrier Islands- long, thin, low offshore islands of sand that run long, thin, low offshore islands of sand that run parallel to the shore.parallel to the shore.

ImportanceImportance

-Protect mainland from offshore storms-Protect mainland from offshore storms

-Shelter inland bays, estuaries, and wetlands-Shelter inland bays, estuaries, and wetlands

-Popular recreational and residential areas-Popular recreational and residential areas

Barrier IslandsBarrier Islands

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Human ImpactsHuman ImpactsDevelopment of barrier islandsDevelopment of barrier islands

-Destroys dunes and dune-Destroys dunes and dunevegetationvegetation-Causes beach erosi-Causes beach erosi-Destroys or disturbs wildlife-Destroys or disturbs wildlifehabitat (e.g., somehabitat (e.g., someendangered birds nest there)endangered birds nest there)

Protecting barrier islandsProtecting barrier islands-Jetties and seawalls-Jetties and seawalls-Beach replenishment-Beach replenishment-Replanting dune vegetation,-Replanting dune vegetation,controlling developmentcontrolling development-**BEST long-term protection:-**BEST long-term protection:Allowing development onlyAllowing development onlybehind secondary dunesbehind secondary dunes

© Brooks/Cole Publishing Company / ITP

Barrier IslandsBarrier Islands

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FreshwaterFreshwater

• Lakes-formed when rain, runoff, or groundwater fills Lakes-formed when rain, runoff, or groundwater fills depressions in the landscape.depressions in the landscape.

• May have limited species diversity due to isolationMay have limited species diversity due to isolation• Four zones based on depth and distance from the Four zones based on depth and distance from the

shore:shore:– Littoral zoneLittoral zone– Limnetic zoneLimnetic zone– Profundal zoneProfundal zone– Benthic zoneBenthic zone

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OligotrophicOligotrophic– – Low nutrient supplyLow nutrient supply– – Low primary productivityLow primary productivity– – Clear water, few plants and fishClear water, few plants and fish

EutrophicEutrophic– – Excess supply of nutrientsExcess supply of nutrients– – High primary productivityHigh primary productivity– – Murky water, large phytoplankton Murky water, large phytoplankton populationpopulation

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Littoral ZoneLittoral Zone

warmest warmest

sustains a fairly diverse community, which can sustains a fairly diverse community, which can include several species of algae (like diatoms), include several species of algae (like diatoms), rooted and floating aquatic plants, grazing snails, rooted and floating aquatic plants, grazing snails, clams, insects, crustaceans, fishes, and clams, insects, crustaceans, fishes, and amphibiansamphibians

Insect egg and larval stages found hereInsect egg and larval stages found here

vegetation and animals are food for other vegetation and animals are food for other creatures such as turtles, snakes, and duckscreatures such as turtles, snakes, and ducks

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Limnetic ZoneLimnetic Zonenear-surface open water surrounded by the littoral zone near-surface open water surrounded by the littoral zone well-lighted (like the littoral zone) and is dominated by well-lighted (like the littoral zone) and is dominated by planktonplanktonvariety of freshwater fish also occupy this zonevariety of freshwater fish also occupy this zone

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Profundal and Benthic ZonesProfundal and Benthic Zones

Deep open water with no light penetration.Deep open water with no light penetration.

Plankton have short life spans—when they die, Plankton have short life spans—when they die, they fall into the deep-water part of the lake/pondthey fall into the deep-water part of the lake/pond

nutrients for lower zonesnutrients for lower zones

fossil fuels in timefossil fuels in time

much colder and denser than the other twomuch colder and denser than the other two

Benthic zoneBenthic zone -the bottom of a lake; inhabited by -the bottom of a lake; inhabited by decomposers, clams, and bottom-feeders.decomposers, clams, and bottom-feeders.

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Lake TemperatureLake Temperature– Varies seasonallyVaries seasonally

• In summer warm layers on top, In summer warm layers on top, colder at bottom, separated by colder at bottom, separated by thermoclinethermocline-where temp of water -where temp of water changes rapidly with depthchanges rapidly with depth

• In fall water turns over, mixing In fall water turns over, mixing occurs. occurs.

• In winter ice forms – cold at the In winter ice forms – cold at the top, warmer at the bottom.top, warmer at the bottom.

• In spring another turnover.In spring another turnover. Spring Spring turnover stimulates algae growth!turnover stimulates algae growth!

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Ponds and Lakes

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Streams and RiversStreams and Rivers• characteristics change during the journey from the characteristics change during the journey from the

source to the mouthsource to the mouth

– At the source, temperature is cooler, water is At the source, temperature is cooler, water is clearer with high oxygen levelsclearer with high oxygen levels

– At the middle, width increases, as does species At the middle, width increases, as does species diversity—numerous aquatic green plants and diversity—numerous aquatic green plants and algae can be foundalgae can be found

– At the mouth, water becomes murky from all the At the mouth, water becomes murky from all the sediments decreasing the amount of light that can sediments decreasing the amount of light that can penetrate through the waterpenetrate through the water

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Streams & Rivers

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Fig. 8–15

Human ImpactsHuman Impacts

-Pollution-Pollution

-Sediments-Sediments

-Dams-Dams

-Introduction of exotic -Introduction of exotic species species

-Removal of -Removal of vegetation from banksvegetation from banks

-Change of flow (more -Change of flow (more floods, lower base floods, lower base flow)flow)

-Channelization-Channelization© Brooks/Cole Publishing Company / ITP

Streams and RiversStreams and Rivers

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WetlandsWetlandsWetlands-Wetlands- lands covered with fresh water all or part of lands covered with fresh water all or part of the time (not including lakes and streams)the time (not including lakes and streams)

Wetland functionsWetland functions-Filter sediments and pollutants from runoff , “nature’s -Filter sediments and pollutants from runoff , “nature’s kidneys”kidneys”-Flood reduction-Flood reduction-Wildlife habitat, especially for waterfowl and -Wildlife habitat, especially for waterfowl and amphibiansamphibians

Human impactsHuman impacts-Some states have lost over 90% of their wetlands-Some states have lost over 90% of their wetlands-Major loss because of draining for agriculture-Major loss because of draining for agriculture-Some loss because of filling for development-Some loss because of filling for development© Brooks/Cole Publishing Company / ITP

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WetlandsWetlands

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WetlandWetlandOrganismsOrganisms