Biome Concept Map
Grassland
Grassland Location:
Grasslands are located on every continent with the exception of Antarctica. Some locations of temperate grasslands include:
-Argentina - pampas
-Australia - downs
-Central North America - plains and prairies
-Hungary - puszta
-New Zealand - downs
-Russia - steppes
-South Africa - veldts
Characteristics:
-Grasslands are areas of open grassland with very few trees and a large amount of grasses.
- Summers are warm to hot and winters are cold to cool
- Similar to Savannas but are located in colder climate regions and receive less precipitation on average than savannas.
Biotic Features:
-Grasslands are home to many large herbivores.
-Some of these include bison, gazelles, zebras, rhinoceroses, and wild horses
- Carnivores like lions and wolves are also found in temperate grasslands.
- Other animals of this region include: deer, prairie dogs, mice, jack rabbits, skunks, coyotes, snakes, foxes, owls, badgers, blackbirds, grasshoppers, meadowlarks, sparrows, quails, and hawks.
Abiotic Features:
Climate, soil, topography and natural disturbances. Precipitation is important to a grassland as it determines the amount and types of plants and trees that grow.
Human Population:
Population tends to be medium.
Natural Resources:
Natural resources in the temperate grasslands include wheat, coal, oil, corn, livestock, gas, and oats.
Ecological Threats:
- Continued global warming could turn current marginal grasslands into deserts as rainfall patterns change.
- Development of urban areas is increasingly cutting into grassland habitat.
- rought-hardy, cold-resistant, and herbicide-tolerant varieties of soybeans, wheat, and corn allow crops to expand into native grassland.
- Where only one crop is grown, pests and disease can spread easily, creating the need for potentially toxic pesticides.
Connections:
Both the temperate deciduous forest and grasslands can be found in the North America as well as other continents. They both have different seasons, including summer and winter. Also both of temperate deciduous and grasslands plants and animals need to adapt to changes in the climate. This relates to the law #1 that everything is connected as they both have connecting animals and plants that live in both temperate deciduous forest and grasslands.
Desert
Desert Location:
Deserts are estimated to cover about one-third of the Earth's land surface. Some locations of deserts include:
-North America
-West Coast of South America
-Central Australia
-North Africa
-Middle East
Characteristics:
- Characterized by a lack of moisture
- Summers are hot to very hot and winters are cool to warm
- The extreme dry conditions of the desert biome makes it difficult for plant and animal life to thrive.
Biotic Features:
-Deserts are home to many burrowing animals. These animals include badgers, jack rabbits, toads, lizards, snakes, and kangaroo rats.
- Other animals include coyotes, foxes, owls, eagles, skunks, spiders and various kinds of insects
-Many desert animals are nocturnal. They burrow underground to escape the extremely high temperatures in the day and come out at night to feed. This allows them to conserve water and energy.
Abiotic Features:
Precipitation, water availability, sunlight, and temperature are all abiotic factors. Deserts are characterized by their lack of rainfall.
Human Population:
Deserts cover about one fifth of the Earth’s surface. The population tends to be lower as the deserts coniditions are harsh and not always enjoyable.
Natural Resources:
-Some of the resources of the desert are water, minerals, oil, natural gas and ore.
- The main resource of water is the nile river
Ecological Threats:
-The low levels of water in deserts are further challenged by the current high probability of droughts
- As the temperature in deserts increases and watering holes disappear. this increases plant life becomes dry and brittle, making wildfires a great danger.
- As people migrate to warmer climates, deserts take the brunt of human expansion.
Connections:
The desert can connect with law #3 of ecology, nature knows best. As the desert does not get enough rain nature knows this and although nature does can not help positively nature starts wildfires allowing the human population to know that it is to dry in set area to live. Nature knows best and gives signs to the human population such as wildfires allowing the to see that the biome zone could be dangerous and that they should not be in the area.
Rainforest
Rainforest Location:
Tropical rain forests are typically located in areas of the world that are near the equator. Locations include:
- Africa - Zaire basin and Madagascar
-Central America - Amazon River Basin
-Hawaii
-West India
-Southeast Asia
-Australia
Characteristics:
- Are characterized by dense vegetation, seasonally warm temperatures, and abundant rainfall.
- The most ecological diverse biome on the planet
- Rain forests are very hot and wet.
Biotic Features:
-Rain forests are home to the majority of plant and animal species in the world. Wildlife in the tropical rain forest is very diverse.
- Animals include a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects.
- These include monkeys, gorillas, jaguars, anteaters, lemurs, snakes, bats, frogs, butterflies, and ants.
Abiotic Features:
Abiotic features include the amount of water, sunlight, soil, precipitation, the temperature, and the climate as a whole
Human Population:
The population tends to be medium.
Natural Resources:
- As the demand for natural resources increases, rain forests are cut down.
- Rubber, oils, gum, waxes, flavorings, and dyes are all found in rain forests.
- Many plants can provide cures for disease. Rosy periwinkle is one example. The drug made from this plant can help cure children with leukemia.
- Many grains and fruits grow in rain forests.
Ecological Threats:
-The growth of populations in countries with rainforest.
- An increase in worldwide demand for tropical hardwoods has put a greater strain on the rainforests.
- Cattle Grazing
- Soya plantations
- Palm oil plantations
- mining
Connections:
The rainforest can be seen to connect to the 2nd law of ecology, everything must go somewhere. As the growth of the population the the rainforest biome zone grows everything must go somewhere so now you will see more of a clear cutting in the location as the human population takes more space. This means that everything is going somewhere just not in a positive way for the natural environment.
Chaparral or Mediterranean
Chaparral or Mediterranean Location:
Some locations of chaparrals include:
- Coastal Regions of Australia (Western and Southern)
-Coastal Regions of the Mediterranean Sea - Europe, North Africa, Asia Minor
-North America - Coast of California
-South America - Coast of Chile
-South African Cape Region
Characteristics:
-Chaparrals are dry areas typically found in coastline regions.
- Smallest biome
- Summer are hot and dry and winters are mild and moist
Biotic Features:
- Chaparrals are home to many burrowing animals.
- These animals include ground squirrels, jackrabbits, gophers, skunks, toads, lizards, snakes, and mice. Other animals include aardwolves, pumas, foxes, owls, eagles, deer, quail, wild goats, spiders, scorpions, and various kinds of insects.
Abiotic Features:
Abiotic features include temperatures, light, Similar to deserts, the Chaparral biome has a very low moisture content in the air and as such clouds rarely form, seasons, landscape and terrain, soil. humidity, altitude, and wildfires.
Human Population:
This population tends to be medium with the warmer states. It often is just the coast of places not the whole place which lowers the population.
Natural Resources:
- Shallow roots extend horizontally under the surface of the soils and are good at catching water when it falls as rain; taproots extend deep into the soil to capture groundwater.
- Some examples of plants in the chaparral are toyon, chamise, poison oak, scrub oak, Yucca and other shrubs, trees and cacti.
Ecological Threats:
- The drastic change in temperature has caused plants/animals to die off. Not being able to survive the heat and dryness.
- Shortage of rain can cause natural fires
- Chaparral tends to be populate with steep slopes that cause erosion
- pollution
Biome:
- Biome are terrestrial communities with wide geographic distribution.
- Describes what the world would look like if humans had not altered the natural environment.
- The worlds major communities.
- Abiotic factors play a large role in determining the type and location of biomes (temperature and precipitation).
Laws of Ecology:
1. Everything is connected to everything else.
2. Everything must go somewhere.
3. Nature knows best.
4. There is no such thing as a free lunch. When you use a resource, it takes away from the natural environment.
tundra
Some locations of tundra include:
Arctic Tundra
-North America - Northern Alaska, Canada, Greenland
-Northern Europe - Scandinavia
-Northern Asia - Siberia
Alpine Tundra
-North America - Alaska, Canada, U.S.A., and Mexico
-Northern Europe - Finland, Norway, Russia, and Sweden
Asia - Southern Asia (Himalayan Mountains), and Japan (Mt. Fuji)
-Africa - Mt. Kilimanjaro
-South America - Andes Mountains
Characteristics
-The tundra biome is characterized by extremely cold temperatures and treeless, frozen landscapes. There are two types of tundra, the arctic tundra and the alpine tundra.
-The arctic tundra is located between the north pole and the coniferous forests or taiga region. This is characterized by extremely cold temperatures and land that remains frozen year-round.
-Alpine tundra can be found in high elevations anywhere in the world, even in tropic regions
Biotic features:
-Animals of the arctic and alpine tundra biomes must adapt to cold and harsh conditions.
-Large mammals of the tundra, like musk ox and caribou, are heavily insulated against the cold and migrate to warmer areas in the winter.
-Smaller mammals, like the arctic ground squirrel, survive by burrowing and hibernating during the winter.
-Other tundra animals include snowy owls, reindeer, polar bears, white foxes, lemmings, arctic hares, wolverines, caribou, migrating birds, mosquitoes, and black flies.
Abiotic features:
The abiotic factors that influence Tundra are strong winds, rainfall, short summer days, long and cold winters, soil, permafrost layer.
Human Population:
Here there is a low population as it is not idealy for human life. You will find most of human life in north America.
Natural Resources:
Holds an abundance of nickel, copper, coal, gold, uranium, tungsten, and diamonds. As well, the North American Arctic contains pockets of uranium, copper, nickel, iron, natural gas, and oil. General varies on where you are in the tundra zone.
Ecological Threats:
-Ozone depletion at the North and South Poles means stronger ultraviolet rays that will harm the tundra.
- The melting of the permafrost as a result of global warming
- Air pollution
- Exploration of oil, gas, and minerals and construction of pipelines and roads can cause physical disturbances and habitat fragmentation.
- Climate change in general
Connections:
The tundra related the the 4th law of ecology 4. There is no such thing as a free lunch. When you use a resource, it takes away from the natural environment. When we abuse the tundra zone the earths natural environment has a negative impact right away. And this is why we are now seeing the melting of the permafrost in direct result of us as humans abusing what we have.
Savanna
Some locations of savannas include:
-Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa, and Namibia
-Australia
-Central America: Belize and Honduras
-South America: Venezuela and Columbia
-Southern Asia
Characteristics
-The savanna is an ecosystem that covers about 20% of the Earth and is characterized by dry grassy plains and widely-spaced trees.
- Very distinct dry season and wet season
- Summers are hot and winters are mild
Biotic features:
Savannas are home to many large land mammals including elephants, giraffes, zebras, rhinoceros, buffalo, lions, leopards and cheetahs. Other animals include baboons, crocodiles, antelopes, meerkats, ants, termites, kangaroos, ostriches, and snakes.
Abiotic features:
The abiotic components of a savanna these include climate, soil, topography and natural disturbances.
Human Population:
Here the population tends to be lower than most biome. For example Africa is considered a Savanna biome which has an 1.6 billion population.
Natural Resources:
Metal resources in the tropical savanna's include: bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, silver, nickel, tin, gold, manganese, uranium and magnesite. Other mineral resources include: diamonds, mineral sands, phosphate rock, kaolin, limestone and silica. Energy resources include coal and petroleum.
Ecological Threats:
-Climate change
-Farming practices
-Overgrazing
-Aggressive agricultural irrigation, which lowers the level of the water table away from plant roots
-Deforestation
-Erosion
Connections:
Savanna and the desert biome can seem similar as they are both dry and warm biomes. They do have differences as the savanna is more a liveable environment for all life where the desert has more extreme temperatures that make it harder to live.
Temperate Deciduous Forest
Temperate Deciduous Forest Location:
- primarily in the eastern half of the United States
- Canada
- Europe
- parts of Russia
- China
- Japan
Characteristics:
- Many deciduous and coniferous trees
- Warm to hot summers and cool winters
- Areas with high levels of precipitation and humidity
Biotic Features:
- Temperate deciduous forests are home to a wide variety of animals.
- hese animals include various insects and spiders, wolves, foxes, bears, coyotes, bobcats, eagles, rabbits, deer, skunks, squirrels, raccoons, squirrels, moose, snakes, and hummingbirds.
Abiotic Features:
Abiotic features here include rocks, soil, water, air, sunlight, wind, and the temperature
Human Population:
The population in the biome tends to be medium to high as Canada, China, ect are part of the biome and have high populations.
Natural Resources:
Lumber is the main natural resource; trees commonly found include oak, beech, maple, chestnut hickory, elm, basswood, sycamore, linden, walnut and birch.
Ecological Threats:
- Clear cutting of trees
- Acid Rain - Caused by industrial and vehicle emissions. Over time, acid rain damages tree leaves, causes trees to produce fewer and smaller seeds and reduces resistance to disease
- Unsustainable forestry
- Non-native species that compete for space and food
Connections:
Both the temperate deciduous forest and grasslands can be found in the North America as well as other continents. They both have different seasons, including summer and winter. Also both of temperate deciduous and grasslands plants and animals need to adapt to changes in the climate. This relates to the law #1 that everything is connected as they both have connecting animals and plants that live in both temperate deciduous forest and grasslands.
Boreal or Taiga Forest
Boreal or Taiga Forest Location:
Some locations of taigas include:
- Alaska
- Central Canada
- Europe
- Northern Asia - Siberia
Characteristics:
- Taigas, also called boreal forests or coniferous forests, are forests of dense evergreen trees that extend across North America, Europe, and Asia.
- Biggest biome covering most of the globe
- Cold winters and cool summers
Biotic Features:
- Few species of animals live in the taiga biome due to the extremely cold conditions.
- taiga is home to various seed eating animals like finches, sparrows, squirrels and jays.
- Large herbivore mammals including elk, caribou, moose, musk ox, and deer
- Other taiga animals include hares, beavers, lemmings, minks, ermines, geese, wolverines, wolves, grizzly bears and various insects.
Abiotic Features:
The abiotic factors includes temperature, sunlight, soil, air, water. In taiga biome the climate is marked by bitterly cold winter of long duration and cool brief summer season.
Human Population:
The population her tends to be medium as there isn't as many countries that tae part in the biome but there still is quit a few of high population countries.
Natural Resources:
- The available timber and non-timber products, mineral and energy resources, and hydroelectric potential of regional rivers.
- The boreal forest provides food and renewable raw materials to Canadians.
Ecological Threats:
- Removal of trees, causing destruction of soil/erosion, and habitat destruction
- Removal of biomass, taking nutrients from soil
- Clear cutting
- Activities like logging, mining, and oil and gas development continue to eat away at our remaining wilderness areas.
