BIOMESBIOMESIf a friend asked you, “Where do you live?” you would give them your street

address. But what ifsomeone asked you to describe the

BIOME that you live in. What would you say? Do you know

your ecological address?

Learning TargetsLearning Targets

Define the major biomes of North AmericaDefine the major biomes of North America Recognize the most common plants and Recognize the most common plants and

animals in your communityanimals in your community Understand that there are predictable Understand that there are predictable

relationships between the different biomes in relationships between the different biomes in North AmericaNorth America

BiomeBiome

a large scale community of plants and animals. a large scale community of plants and animals. Biomes are dependent on both climate and the Biomes are dependent on both climate and the physical environment. physical environment.

There are a number of different biomes that There are a number of different biomes that occur in North America occur in North America

ClimateClimate

the long-term average temperature and rainfall the long-term average temperature and rainfall (precipitation) in a region, and the daily, (precipitation) in a region, and the daily, weekly and yearly range in temperature. weekly and yearly range in temperature.

Climate factorsClimate factors

Frequency of rainfall (does it rain often in small Frequency of rainfall (does it rain often in small amounts, or less often in large amounts). amounts, or less often in large amounts).

Timing of temperature and precipitation (wet and Timing of temperature and precipitation (wet and warm, or wet and cold?) warm, or wet and cold?)

Wind speed and direction, cloud cover, humidity, and Wind speed and direction, cloud cover, humidity, and seasonal storms (hurricanes and typhoons).seasonal storms (hurricanes and typhoons).

The most sensitive indicator of climate is vegetation. The most sensitive indicator of climate is vegetation. Vegetation helps classify climates.Vegetation helps classify climates.

EcologyEcology

The term ecology is the study of the The term ecology is the study of the interrelationship between organisms and their interrelationship between organisms and their environment. environment.

The largest entity studied in ecology is the The largest entity studied in ecology is the ecosystem. ecosystem.

EcosystemsEcosystems

the physical and chemical environment and all the physical and chemical environment and all living organisms within it (biological living organisms within it (biological processes). processes).

can be as large as a biosphere, or as small as a can be as large as a biosphere, or as small as a puddle at your feet.puddle at your feet.

Abiotic factorsAbiotic factors

““a” = withouta” = without ““bio” = lifebio” = life Non-living things Non-living things Wind, rain, soil quality, light, temperatureWind, rain, soil quality, light, temperature

Biotic factorsBiotic factors

Living Living Insects, birds, animals, plantsInsects, birds, animals, plants

HabitatHabitat

the local environment in which an organism the local environment in which an organism lives. lives.

Ecosystems involve a number of different Ecosystems involve a number of different distinct habitats. distinct habitats.

Most habitats are occupied by several Most habitats are occupied by several organisms.organisms.

Population and CommunityPopulation and Community

Each species of individual organisms is called Each species of individual organisms is called a population. a population.

A population of two or more species in a given A population of two or more species in a given habitat is called a community. habitat is called a community.

There may be more than one community in a There may be more than one community in a given ecosystem.given ecosystem.

Matter and EnergyMatter and Energy

The interactions between organisms in an The interactions between organisms in an ecosystem are viewed in terms of ecosystem are viewed in terms of flows of flows of matter and energymatter and energy. .

This system is called a food chain, or food This system is called a food chain, or food web (to show the complexity).web (to show the complexity).

Food Chains and WebsFood Chains and Webs Organic compounds are synthesized from the Organic compounds are synthesized from the

environment by environment by producersproducers (photosynthesizing (photosynthesizing plants). plants).

The producers are The producers are consumed consumed by plant eating animals by plant eating animals (herbivores). (herbivores).

Some of the herbivores are Some of the herbivores are consumedconsumed by carnivores by carnivores (or omnivores). (or omnivores).

Other elements in the ecosystem are Other elements in the ecosystem are parasitesparasites, which , which feed on living organisms without killing them, and feed on living organisms without killing them, and scavengers, which feed on dead organisms. scavengers, which feed on dead organisms.

The tissues of producers, herbivores and carnivores The tissues of producers, herbivores and carnivores are broken down by are broken down by decomposersdecomposers (usually bacteria). (usually bacteria).

Ecological PyramidEcological Pyramid

SymbiosisSymbiosis

Mutualism – both species benefitMutualism – both species benefit Parasitism – one species benefits while the Parasitism – one species benefits while the

other is harmedother is harmed Commensalism – one species benefits while Commensalism – one species benefits while

the other is unawarethe other is unaware

Adaptation and EvolutionAdaptation and Evolution

Although many kinds of plants and animals do Although many kinds of plants and animals do have a range of climate tolerances, others do have a range of climate tolerances, others do not. not.

For example, there are many plants and For example, there are many plants and animals that are not well suited to survive animals that are not well suited to survive long, cold winters. long, cold winters.

Many organisms have evolved, or adapted, to Many organisms have evolved, or adapted, to new climates and environments.new climates and environments.