Lesson 3.1. Canada's Biomes. As you go down the list, the terms include more and more biotic and abiotic factors. 3.1 Canada's Biomes.

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1 Lesson 3.1 Canada's Biomes Jun 4 7:26 PM As you go down the list, the terms include more and more biotic and abiotic factors. May 17 2:04 PM 1

2 Biome a large geographic area with a similar climate Biosphere the region on Earth where life exists. It extends from the bottom of the ocean to the lower atmosphere. May 17 2:03 PM Canada can be divided into four major biomes in which different types of flora and fauna can be found. These regions are classified according to the types of plants and animals that are naturally found in the region. Jun 4 10:33 PM 2

3 Jun 4 10:31 PM Tundra Biome Take a look at the following photos and brainstorm with your group some characteristics of the tundra biome. Sep 20 10:51 AM 3

4 Like a desert, the tundra receives little precipitation, often only 10 to 12 cm per year. The most important abiotic factor in the tundra is the length of the growing season. Decompostion of plant and animal matter is extremely slow in cold temperatures. Sep 20 10:53 AM The cycling of matter is slow because there are few bacteria and fungi. There is only a small amount of organic matter in the thin soil called the active layer. The layer of soil that never thaws is called the permafrost. Jun 4 7:22 PM 4

5 3.1 Canada's Biomes Sep 20 10:54 AM Sep 20 11:04 AM 5

6 Boreal Forest - Taiga Biome Take a look at the following photos and brainstorm with your group some characteristics of the boreal forest biome. Sep 20 10:51 AM Dominated by conifers, the boreal forest is found in every province and makes up approximately 80% of the forested areas. The boreal forest receives more precipitation than the tundra because of the mixing of warm and cold air. Higher temperatures allow organic matter to decompose more rapidly. Sep 23 9:45 AM 6

7 3.1 Canada's Biomes Soil is also more acidic, because decay of conifer needles produces acids. Thin needle-like leaves of conifers have a small surface area, and lose little water during winter. Only shade-loving plants such as moss and ferns can grow on the forest floor because conifers do not shed their leaves. Therefore, food sources are limited. Jun 4 7:30 PM Sep 23 9:36 AM 7

8 3.1 Canada's Biomes Sep 23 9:44 AM Temperate Deciduous Forest Biome Take a look at the following photos and brainstorm with your group some characteristics of the Temperate Deciduous forest biome. Sep 20 10:51 AM 8

9 Has a wide ecotone, therefore trees native to both boreal and deciduous forests can be found. The broad leaves of deciduous trees maximize light capture for photosynthesis, which allows the trees to compete successfully with conifers. Higher temperatures, which allow faster decomposition, and the organic matter available from fallen leaves provide the basis for formation of a richer soil than is found in the boreal forest. Sep 23 9:51 AM Because the large trees shed their leaves, sunlight is able to reach the forest floor in the spring and lower level plants (small trees, shrubs, and ferns) are able to grow Layers of a Deciduous Forest Canopy Understorey/undergrowth Litter Jun 5 9:45 AM 9

10 3.1 Canada's Biomes Sep 23 9:49 AM Sep 23 9:50 AM 10

11 Grassland Biome mid latitude tropical Take a look at the following photos and brainstorm with your group some characteristics of the grassland forest biome. Sep 20 10:51 AM The abiotic factors of the grassland are similar to those of the deciduous forest with one notable exception, grasslands receive less moisture. There is not enough water to support trees, except near rivers, lakes, and ponds. The fires also acted like decomposers, speeding the return of nutrients to the soil. Sep 23 10:17 AM 11

12 The black earth of grasslands is the most fertile soil in the world. The grasses provide great biomass for decomposition and the hot summer temperatures promote rapid decay. The length of the grasses was regulated by rainfall. More rain means longer grass. While deciduous forests have three levels that support animals, grasslands have only one layer, so biodiversity is lower. Jun 4 10:24 PM Grassland Vegetation Types of grasslands (10" to 30" rainfall/year) tall-grass - wetter climate short-grass - dryer climate Sep 23 10:17 AM 12

13 Some of the grasslands are tropical and some are mid-latitude. Grasslands names vary with geography: North America: Prairies South America: Pampas Eurasia: Steppes Africa: Savanna, Veldt Jun 4 10:28 PM Sep 23 10:16 AM 13

14 Sep 23 10:15 AM 14