3.2 Biomes and Aquatic Zones

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1 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 sunlight. 3. Identify the distinct zones in both lakes and rivers. A. Biomes large terrestrial regions characterized by similar climate, soil, plants, and animals regardless of their global locations. B. Forest Biomes trees dominate; high productivity and biodiversity 1. Tropical Rain Forests Warm and heavy rainfall Broadleaf evergreen plants Poor soil quality 2. Temperate Deciduous Forests Distinct seasons Broadleaf deciduous trees Leaf decay promoted good soil quality 3. Taigas (Boreal Forests) Cold and dry Coniferous trees Poor acidic soil 1

2 C. Grasslands moisture promotes grasses but not trees; regulated by drought, fires, and herbivores 1. Tropical Grassland (Savannas) Warm temperatures Several months with no rain Large grazing herbivores 2. Temperate Grassland (Praires) Cold winters; hot dry summers Decaying grass promotes soil quality 3. Cold Grasslands (Tundra) Cold Permafrost D. Deserts Little precipitation 1. Tropical Deserts Little vegetation Frequent windstorms Extremely high daytime temps 2. Temperate Deserts Receive more precipitation Drought resistant cacti and succulents Hot at day; Cold at night 3. Cold Deserts Sparse vegetation Extremely cold winters D. Chaparral (Temperate Shrubland) 1. Coastal areas along California, Mediterranean, and Chile 2. Low-growing evergreen shrubs 3. Fires promote seed production and soil quality 2

3 A. Factors that affect the distribution of life in the ocean 1. Sunlight 2. Dissolved oxygen 3. Turbidity clarity of the water 4. Salinity concentration of dissolved salts B. Marine (Saltwater) Life Zones 1. Coastal Zones - extend to continental shelf High productivity because of sunlight and nutrients Contain 90% of all marine species 2. Estuaries Freshwater rivers mix with ocean High productivity because of sunlight and nutrients Natural filters of pollution Nurseries for many species B. Marine (Saltwater) Life Zones 3. Rocky Intertidal Diversity influenced by tides Adapted for desiccation and wave stress 4. Coral Reefs Grow in warm clear waters of tropics Built by coral polyps with mutualistic zooxanthellae High biodiversity 5. Open Ocean and Seafloor Euphotic zone upper sunlit region Bathyl and Abyssal zones have little to no sunlight 3

4 C. Freshwater Life Zones 1. Lakes (Lentic Zones) Littoral Zone shallow near the shore, plenty of light and nutrients to support submergent and emergent plants. Limnetic Zone upper layer away from shore, lot of light, mostly phytoplankton Profundal Zone Mid-level, little sunlight, low in nutrients and dissolved oxygen Benthic Zone bottom of the lake, mostly decomposers. Oligotrophic clear, deep lakes with low nutrient levels Eutrophic accumulated nutrients; high productivity C. Freshwater Life Zones 2. Wetlands (Lentic Zones) Includes swamps (dominated by trees), marshes (dominated by grasses), flood plains, and bogs Covered with freshwater either all or part of the time High productivity Recharge groundwater, provide habitat, act a nurseries, filter pollution, and reduce flooding. 4

5 C. Freshwater Life Zones 3. Rivers (Lotic Zones) Watershed land area that delivers this runoff to the river and its tributaries Source Zone directly fed by maintain snowmelt Transitional Zone streams and rivers with more turbid water due to increased sediments; typically deeper, wider, and slower moving. LEARNING GOAL: 1. Identify a biome based on its temperature, precipitation, and dominant plant species. I can predict where on earth each biome should be located. I can identify a biome based on its temperature, precipitation, and dominant plant species. I can contrast forests, grasslands, and deserts. I can define biome. LEARNING GOAL: 2. Identify a marine life zone based on its location and amounts of sunlight. I can predict where on earth each marine life zone should be located. I can identify a marine life zone based on its location and amounts of sunlight. I can the main limiting factors that influence marine life zones. I can list the marine life zones. 5

6 LEARNING GOAL: 3. Identify the distinct zones in both lakes and rivers. I can show how rivers, wetlands, and lakes make up a watershed. I can identify the distinct zones in both lakes and rivers. I can classify a lake as oligotrophic or eutrophic. I can list the three main freshwater life zones. 6