Human Biology 100A Biome Images Coastal Zone Kelp Forest (temperate latitudes) Instructor: Mark Eberle Oregon Coast Aquarium, Newport, Oregon (photographs by Megan Rohweder) Coral Reef (tropical latitudes)
Rain Forests (precipitation >100 per year) Tropical Rain Forests: o near equator in northern South America, western Africa, and islands between Southeast Asia and Australia o broad-leaved evergreens o richest species diversity of any ecosystem also have high biomass o relatively shallow soils (most nutrients tied up in biomass) Temperate Rain Forests o e.g., northwestern coast of North America o conifers and broad-leaved evergreens (lower species richness than tropical rain forests) Olympic National Park, Washington (photographs by Mark Eberle)
Temperate Deciduous Forests eastern North America, Europe, and eastern China broad-leaved deciduous trees precipitation ~30 60 per year; summer and winter seasons soils reasonably well developed (leaf fall) Ricketts Glen State Park, Pennsylvania (photograph by Mark Eberle) Wilson s Creek National Battlefield, Missouri (photograph by Mark Eberle)
Taiga (Northern and Montane Coniferous Forests) Canada, Scandinavia, and Russia (also N S mountain ranges, such as the Rocky Mountains) conifers (low species richness) most precipitation comes as snow relatively long winters (short growing season) soils relatively thin and acidic Lincoln National Forest, New Mexico (photograph by Bill Stark) Calaveras Big Tree State Park, California (photograph by Mark Eberle)
Tundra (Alpine Tundra and Arctic Tundra) Alpine Tundra on highest mountains; Arctic Tundra farthest north in North America, Europe, and Asia few trees; mostly shrubby due to soil permafrost flora dominated by lichens (fungus + alga) and low-growing plants little annual precipitation in Arctic Tundra (<10 per year) Alpine Tundra, Medicine Bow National Forest, Wyoming (photograph by Eric Hoch)
Temperate Grasslands central North America, western China, and smaller areas in South America, South Africa, and Australia dominated by grasses, with some clumps of trees (e.g., along streams) similar climate to temperate deciduous forests, but less precipitation (10 40 per year) o drier conditions and wildfires limit tree growth soils relatively deep (extensive fibrous grass roots) Z-Bar Ranch, south-central Kansas (photograph by Shauna Marquardt) Big Creek, Hays, Kansas (photographer unknown)
Savannas (Tropical Grasslands) relatively large areas South America, eastern & south-central Africa, and eastern Australia dominated by grasses and small trees climate with 3 general seasons 1. cool-dry, 2. hot-dry, and 3. warm wet ~30 60 of precipitation per year (similar to temperate deciduous forest), but regular drought soils somewhat less fertile than those of temperate grasslands South Africa (photographs by Niki Lambrecht)
Deserts western North America, North Africa, Middle East, central Asia (Mongolia), and central Australia dominated by shrubs, succulents (e.g., cacti), and bunchgrasses defined primarily by limited precipitation (generally <10 per year) hot deserts short or absent winter season; cold deserts relatively long winter season o NOT hot and cold desserts White Sands National Monument, New Mexico (photograph by Mark Eberle) Hot Desert, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, Arizona (photograph by Mark Eberle) Cold Desert, Great Basin, Nevada (photograph by Jenn Nylund)
Estuaries (Ecotone) ecotones = area of transition between 2 adjacent ecosystems estuary = ecotone between freshwater from the land and saltwater from the ocean o low species richness o high productivity (comparable to tropical rain forests) South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, Coos Bay, Oregon (photograph by Mark Eberle)