BIOMES. Biomes. Tropical Moist Forests. Biomes - Areas sharing similar climate, topographic and soil conditions, and roughly comparable communities.

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "BIOMES. Biomes. Tropical Moist Forests. Biomes - Areas sharing similar climate, topographic and soil conditions, and roughly comparable communities."

Hilary Sullivan
6 years ago
Views:

Tropical forests Tropical Moist Forests Cloud Forests - High mountains with heavy fog and mist.

1 BIOMES Biomes Biomes - Areas sharing similar climate, topographic and soil conditions, and roughly comparable communities. Temperature and precipitation are among the most important determinants in biome distribution. Evapotranspiration Influenced by prevailing landforms. Tropical forests Tropical Moist Forests Cloud Forests - High mountains with heavy fog and mist. Tropical Rainforests - More than 200 cm annual rainfall with warm-hot temperatures year-round. Rapid decomposition and nutrient cycling. Thin soil cannot support continued cropping, and cannot resist erosion. Slash and Burn 1

Deserts Deserts Characterized by low moisture levels and precipitation that is

Wide daily and seasonal temperature fluctuations.

Plants exhibit water conservation characteristics.

2 Deserts Deserts Characterized by low moisture levels and precipitation that is infrequent and unpredictable from year to year. Wide daily and seasonal temperature fluctuations. Soils are easily disturbed by human activities, and slow to recover. Plants exhibit water conservation characteristics. Chaparral Chaparral / Mediterranean Hot, dry summers and cool, moist winters. Dominated with small, leathery, waxy leaves. Fires common component of landscape. California - Chaparral Africa - Thorn Scrub 2

Temperate grassland Grasslands Communities of grasses, seasonal herbaceous flowering plants, and open savannas. Few trees due to inadequate rainfall. Large daily and seasonal temperature fluctuations.

3 Temperate grassland Grasslands Communities of grasses, seasonal herbaceous flowering plants, and open savannas. Few trees due to inadequate rainfall. Large daily and seasonal temperature fluctuations. Frequent grass fires. Temperate deciduous forest Broad-Leaved Deciduous and Evergreen Forests Occur throughout the world where rainfall is plentiful. Deciduous trees shed leaves when water is scarce or ground is frozen. Rich variation of tree species. Forest canopy covers diverse understory. 3

Temperate Rainforests Pacific Northwest Tundra Tundra Short growing season. Cold, harsh winters.

4 Coniferous forests Conifer Forests Cone-bearing trees. Needle-like leaves with waxy coatings. Minimize water loss. Boreal Forests Northern coniferous forests. Taiga Northernmost edge of boreal forest. Temperate Rainforests Pacific Northwest Tundra Tundra Short growing season. Cold, harsh winters. Water locked up much of the year. Most animals migrate south or downhill in winter. Low biological productivity, low diversity, and low resilience. Permafrost 4

Aquatic Biomes Land-linked Aquatic Biomes Lakes Rivers Streams Wetlands

with water at least part of the year. Swamps - Wetlands with trees.

Bogs and Fens - Waterlogged soils that tend to accumulate peat.

Trap and filter water, and store runoff.

rivers enter the ocean. Usually carry rich sediments.

Intertidal Coral Reefs Oceanic Marine Biomes Many different organisms

vital ecological roles: Regulating climate, controlling water runoff,

5 Aquatic Biomes Land-linked Aquatic Biomes Lakes Rivers Streams Wetlands Estuaries Aquatic Biomes Wetlands Land surface is saturated or covered with water at least part of the year. Swamps - Wetlands with trees. Marshes - Wetlands without trees. Bogs and Fens - Waterlogged soils that tend to accumulate peat. Water usually shallow enough to allow full sunlight penetration. Trap and filter water, and store runoff. Estuaries Bays or semi-enclosed bodies of brackish water that form where rivers enter the ocean. Usually carry rich sediments. Fan-shaped sediment deposit (delta) formed on shallow continental shelves. Intertidal Coral Reefs Oceanic Marine Biomes Many different organisms Warm, clear water Zooxanthellae Coral Reefs WORLD FORESTS Forests play vital ecological roles: Regulating climate, controlling water runoff, providing food and shelter for wildlife, and purifying air. Provide valuable materials. Wood, paper-pulp. Scenic, cultural, and historic value. How do we come to economic terms with these different values? 5

Forest Distribution World Forests Currently, forests (trees cover 10% or more of land) including woodlands, savannas, and thorn scrubs encompasses 3.9 billion ha.

Only 25% of forests still retain old-growth characteristics. Forest Products Wood plays a part in more activities of the modern economy than any other commodity.

Forest Products Cont d U.S., Russia, and Canada are three largest producers of industrial wood and paper pulp. Much of industrial logging in North America and Europe occurs in managed forests.

this is about equal to what you use per year in paper products alone Forest Management Approximately 25% of world s forests are actively managed for wood production.

6 Forest Distribution World Forests Currently, forests (trees cover 10% or more of land) including woodlands, savannas, and thorn scrubs encompasses 3.9 billion ha. (15,058,000 mile 2 ) Greatest concern is over protection of Old- Growth Forests. Areas that have been undisturbed by human activities long enough that trees can live out a natural life cycle. Only 25% of forests still retain old-growth characteristics. Forest Products Wood plays a part in more activities of the modern economy than any other commodity. Total annual wood consumption is about 3.7 billion metric tons. $100+ Billion each year. Developed countries produce less than half of all industrial wood, but account for about 80% of consumption. Forest Products Cont d U.S., Russia, and Canada are three largest producers of industrial wood and paper pulp. Much of industrial logging in North America and Europe occurs in managed forests. More than half of the world s population depends on firewood or charcoal as their main source of heating and cooking fuel. this is about equal to what you use per year in paper products alone Forest Management Approximately 25% of world s forests are actively managed for wood production. Sustainable harvest is key to regeneration. Many reforestation projects involve Monoculture Forestry. Rapid growth and easier harvest, but disrupts ecological processes.a bunch of trees is not the only thing that makes up a forest. Tropical Forests Although they occupy less than 10% of earth s land surface, tropical rainforests are thought to contain: More than 2/3 of all higher plant biomass. At least 1/2 of all plant, animal, and microbial species in the world. And some of the most unregulated forest harvesting by some of the poorest populations. Estimated 0.6% of remaining forest is cleared annually. About 1 acre (football field) is cleared every second,, 24/7 6

Causes of Deforestation Thin, nutrient-poor tropical soils are usually worn out after a few years of cropping.

Can be sustainable where population densities are low and individual plots are allowed to regenerate between cultivation periods but takes time (20 years?) and management.

S. Forest Service. Simultaneous uses. Today, less than 10% of the old-growth forest in the United States remains intact.

Fast and efficient, but wastes small trees, increases erosion, and eliminates wildlife habitat. Shelterwood - Remove mature trees in series of cuts.

Can retain many characteristics of mature, old-growth forests. USFS builds roads in order for timber companies to extract trees. Hidden subsidy to timber industry $4 billion annual harvest vs.

7 Causes of Deforestation Thin, nutrient-poor tropical soils are usually worn out after a few years of cropping. Slash and Burn agriculture 30,000+ fires in one month in Brazil Shifting cultivation (S/B) often blamed for forest destruction. Can be sustainable where population densities are low and individual plots are allowed to regenerate between cultivation periods but takes time (20 years?) and management. Average yearly earnings are often in the $100s Temperate Forests Northern countries have a long history of liquidating forest resources. For many years, multiple use was the official policy of the U.S. Forest Service. Simultaneous uses. Today, less than 10% of the old-growth forest in the United States remains intact. 80% of what is left is on track to be cut down Harvest Methods Clear-Cutting - Every tree in a given area is cut regardless of size. Fast and efficient, but wastes small trees, increases erosion, and eliminates wildlife habitat. Shelterwood - Remove mature trees in series of cuts. Strip Cutting - Harvesting all trees in a narrow corridor. Selective Cutting - A small percentage of mature trees are taken in each 10-or-20 year rotation. Can retain many characteristics of mature, old-growth forests. USFS builds roads in order for timber companies to extract trees. Hidden subsidy to timber industry $4 billion annual harvest vs. estimated $224 billion from recreation and ecological function. Table Fire Management Firefighting is a high priority for forest managers. Many biological communities are fire-adapted. Most human dwellings are NOT fire-adapted. Accumulation of woody debris from decades of fire suppression. Forest Service says 40% of all federal forest lands are at risk of severe fires. More than 88,000 wild fires burned 2.8 million ha in Firefighting cost $1.6 billion. How to undo years of fuel build-up? RANGELANDS Pasture and Open range occupy about 25% of the world s land surface. More than 3 billion domestic livestock producing meat and milk. Attractive and frequently converted to humandominated landscapes. 7

Rangelands in the United States Overgrazing has allowed populations of unpalatable or inedible species to build up on both public and private rangelands.

Permit holders generally pay less than 25% the amount of leasing comparable private lands. But how much do you want to pay for your meat?

Only in the past 130 years have we begun to preserve wild places for the sake of wildlife and scenic beauty. Yellowstone- Authorized by President Abraham Lincoln.

Park Problems Many parks have become islands of nature surrounded and threatened by destructive land uses stemming from growing human populations crowding park boundaries.

Wildlife- Historically, parks killed bad animals (wolves) in favor of good animals (elk). Critics contend this policy unbalanced ecosystems, and created a false illusion of a natural system.

8 Rangelands in the United States Overgrazing has allowed populations of unpalatable or inedible species to build up on both public and private rangelands. Grazing fees charged for use of public lands are often far below market value. Hidden subsidy to western ranchers. Permit holders generally pay less than 25% the amount of leasing comparable private lands. But how much do you want to pay for your meat? Short-Duration, Rotational Grazing Game Ranching PARKS AND NATURE PRESERVES Origins and History Historically, sacred groves were set aside for religious purposes, and grounds preserved for royalty. Only in the past 130 years have we begun to preserve wild places for the sake of wildlife and scenic beauty. Yellowstone- Authorized by President Abraham Lincoln. Designated the first National Park by President Ulysses S. Grant in Also first National Park in the world. Park Problems Many parks have become islands of nature surrounded and threatened by destructive land uses stemming from growing human populations crowding park boundaries. Park rangers often spend more time on crime prevention and crowd control than natural history. Mining and oil interests push to operate on private inholdings. Wildlife- Historically, parks killed bad animals (wolves) in favor of good animals (elk). Critics contend this policy unbalanced ecosystems, and created a false illusion of a natural system. Wildlife refuges Roosevelt established 51 refuges Now 511 refuges encompassing 40 million ha representing every major biome in North America. WILDLIFE REFUGES CONT D Over the years, a number of other uses have been allowed to operate within wildlife refuge boundaries. Oil and Gas Drilling Cattle Grazing Motor-boating, Camping Refuges also face threats from external sources - expanding human populations. Water Pollution What is Wild? Marine Protected Areas In its most general sense, a Marine Protected Area (MPA) protects an area by managing some or all of the human activities that take place within it. There are many different types of MPA, varying considerably in their: purpose or objective size and level of protection name and the legislation under which they are established. Purposes Any given MPA, regardless of its main purpose, can potentially provide (depending on its location and design): protection for marine biodiversity a framework for managing a broad range of human activities and values reference sites for monitoring human impacts on ecosystems opportunities for research opportunities for ecotourism, recreational and educational activities protection of cultural sites and aesthetic values benefits for fisheries management. 8

9 Why and do they work? 30+% of the world s fisheries are in collapse Repopulation and seeding of species from protected area to the outside area. Local effects- many clear cases of increased biomass/biodiversity Changes in body size, abundance, reproduction Can change species richness while not total abundance What about at regional levels? Yes, but other issue can come into play- edge fishing Increased trawling outside MPA- overall decrease in habitat heath. Few studies which directly address this issue hard to do and takes a long time should we wait?? SMR= no take SMCA= recreational and some commercial 9

3.2 Biomes and Aquatic Zones

3.2 Biomes and Aquatic Zones Learning Goals: 1. Identify a biome based on its temperature, precipitation, and dominant plant species. 2. Identify a marine life zone based on its location and amounts of