Chapter 1: Biomes & ecosystems are divisions of the biosphere 1.1
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Transcript Chapter 1: Biomes & ecosystems are divisions of the biosphere 1.1
Blue Marble Photograph p. 6
Chapter 1: Biomes & ecosystems are
divisions of the biosphere
1.1 Biomes
By the end of section 1.1 you should be able to understand the
following:
A biome is the largest division of the biosphere.
Large regions within biomes have similar biotic and abiotic
components. The interaction of these components
determine the characteristics of the biome.
Temperature and precipitation are the most influential
abiotic factors on biomes.
Organisms have adaptations for survival in the specific
environmental conditions of their biome.
Chapter 1: Biomes & ecosystems are
divisions of the biosphere
1.1 Biomes
• Biomes are regions with similar biotic (living) & abiotic
(non-living) components (ex. BC & New Zealand are similar
biomes)
Classification of Biomes
• Biomes are classified based on many characteristics: water
availability, temperature & interactions between biotic &
abiotic factors.
• There are 8 biomes on Earth: Boreal forest, desert,
grassland, permanent ice, temperate deciduous forest,
temperate rainforest, tropical rainforest and tundra.
Distribution of Biomes
• Temperature & precipitation are 2 of the most important
abiotic factors in identifying biomes.
• P. 13
Distribution of Biomes
Other identifying factors include:
• Latitude influences both temp. & precipitation.
Ex. The tropical zone has very warm temp. & high
Precip. Because the sun shines straight down & warm air
holds more moisture than cooler air.
• Elevation is the height above sea level
– Higher elevations have less air, & therefore less heat is
retained.
– Windward sides of mountains are wet, leeward sides are
very dry.
• Ocean currents carry warmth & moisture to coastal areas.
– Where warm currents meet land, temperate biomes are
found.
Climatographs
• Climate: the average pattern of weather conditions over a
period of several years.
– A climatograph shows the average temperature &
precipitation for a location over a period of 30+ years.
– Climatographs show
• the precipitation on the left hand y-axis,
• temperature on the right hand y-axis
• time along the x-axis (bottom)
Climatographs
Adaptations & Biomes
• Biomes are often
identified with biotic
factors.
– Eg. a cactus in the
desert, or a caribou on
the tundra.
• Many of these
characteristic factors have
special adaptations that
allow the organisms to
better survive &
reproduce in that biome.
• Types of adaptations:
1. Structural adaptation - a physical feature
that helps an organism survive.
ex. A wolf has large paws to help it
run in snow.
2. Physiological adaptation - a physical or chemical event
inside the body of an organism that allows it to survive.
ex. A wolf maintains a constant body temperature.
3. Behavioural adaptation - a behaviour that helps an
organism to survive.
ex. Wolves hunt in packs to capture large prey.
Take the Section 1.1 Quiz