World Biomes Tropical Rainforest Location: Found near equator Abiotic Factors: little variation in temperatures. No distinct seasonal changes. Tropical Rainforest Abiotic factors Less than 1 cm of topsoil (Low nutrients ) About 100 in/yr of rainfall Bougainvillea Plants grow in layers (canopy receives most light) Shallow, wide roots since soil is so thin and poor in nutrients Little sun reaches the floor, plants must be adapted to low light Tropical Rainforest Plant adaptations Bangul Bamboo Many symbiotic relationships, especially competition Live in different levels of canopy Waglers pit viper Silvery Gibbon Slender LorisTropical Rainforest Animal Adaptations Many animals are specialists and require special habitat components to survive Camouflage is common Threats to the Tropical RainforestHHumans strip the rainforests for uses including logging and cattle ranching. IIn addition to the plants and animals that are displaced by this destruction, entire civilizations of people are also without a home. YYou can help by promoting sustainable use of the rainforests products Temperate Deciduous Forests Location: found in temperate zone (about 48 0 North lat) Much of the human population lives in this biome Characterized by 4 seasons Average annual temp: 50 F Soils: Deep soil layers, rich in nutrients Precipitation: 30100 in/yr in all forms (snow, rain, hail, fog, etc.) Temperate Deciduous Forests Abiotic Factors Deciduous trees lose leaves to prepare for Winter. They become dormant in the Winter. White Birch Birchhttp://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/deciduous_plant_ page.htm Lady Fern Geulder Rose Temperate Deciduous forest Plant adaptations Grow thicker coat in Winter,lose Winter coat in Summer Hibernation Birds migrate to warmer climates during Winter Bald Eagle Fat Dormouse Least WeaselTemperate Deciduous Forest Animal Adaptations Threats to Temperate Deciduous ForestsDeforestation Taiga aka Northern Coniferous Forest or Boreal Forest Location: Found only in Northern Hemisphere below arctic circle Taiga Abiotic factors Winters are long and cold Averages 100 in/yr precipitation mostly snow Soil poor in nutrients and very acidic Growing season is very shortecosystems_biomes/biomes_northern_forest.html conifers Coniferous (needle-bearing) trees are abundant Roots long to anchor trees Needles long, thin and waxy to shed snowTaiga Plant adaptations Moose Adapt for cold winters Burrow, hibernate, thick fur coat, layer of fat for insulation, etc.Great Grey Owl Animal Adaptations of the Taiga Threats to the Taiga Mining operations can irreparably damage this fragile ecosystem. Pollution left behind can also put animals and plants at risk.tm Savannas (Tropical Grasslands) Contain the greatest number of grazing animals on Earth. Location: Found in the tropicsnear equator Amount of precipitation supports tall grasses but only occasional trees. The word savanna stems from an Amerind term for plains Tropical Savanna Abiotic Factors Rainy and dry season in/yr precipitation Fire plays a large role in this ecosystem during the dry season Whistling Thorn Umbrella Thorn Acacia Tropical Savanna Plant Adaptations Large underground root systems, allow plants to re- grow quickly after fire Resistance to Drought Many plants have thorns and sharp leaves to protect against predation.Kangaroos Paws Baobab Adapt for short rainy seasonmigrate as necessary Limited food leads to vertical feeding Reproduce during rainy seasonensures more young surviveZebras Chacma Baboon Tropical Savanna Animal Adaptations Threats to the Tropical Savanna Invasive species fire management Because of their low elevation, some savannas are threatened by minor rises in sea level associated with global climate change Koala Elephant Steppe Dry, cold, grasslands Location: Found in Russia and the Ukraine Steppe Abiotic Factors