Biomes: Global Patterns of Life

By: Felipe C. Marques

 Terrestrial Biomes
Biomes are biological communituies that differ in
climate conditions, growth patterns, vegetation type
and mainly biological productivity.
 Temperature range and precipitation levels are
dominant factors that help determine what type of
biome is located in a certain region.
Vertical Zonation is the term applied to vegetation
zones defined by altitude.
Major World Biomes
Tropical Moist Forests
Warm (constant) and wet (high precipitation) all-year.
One of the most complex and biologically rich biome types in the
world.
Cool cloud forests are found high in the mountains where fog and
mist keep vegetation wet all the time.
Tropical rainforests occur where rainfall is abundant (2000 mm/year)
Similar soil type: old, thin, acidic and nutrient-poor.
Vast number of species, eg. Insect species estimated more than a
million
Growth in forests occur due to rapid decomposition of dead
organic material, making soil suitable for growing seeds.
Forests are suffering from rapid deforestation, leaving no time for
trees to regrow (upsets natural balance)
Silent Valley – Indian Forest
Tropical Seasonal Forests (Dry Tropical
Forests)
Annual dry and wet seasons
Forests are drought-tolerant. During dry seasons, trees
are brown and dormant but burst into vivid green
during wet periods.
 Usually open wo0dlands that grade into savannas.
More attractive for human habitation – easier to burn
off with a wild fire, richer soil-nutrients, and less
insect species.
Less than 1% of dry forests in the Atlantic coast of
North and South American remain undisturbed.
Paso de la Sierra – Nicaraguan Forest
Tropical Savannahs and Grasslands
Dry most of the year.
Because of lack of rain, many fires wipe out young trees
that are growing, keeping the landscape relatively flat.
H0wever, savannahs and grasslands have many
adaptations to cope with the arid conditions. Many
have deep, long-lived roots that seek groundwater that
persist when leaves and stems above the ground die.
After a fire or drought, new shoots grow quickly from
roots. Migratory grazers (wildebeest, antelope or bison)
thrive on this new growth.
Savannah Grassland
Deserts
Hot during the day, cold during the night, and are always dry
(less than 300mm/year).
Although sparse, vegetation in deserts are diverse and highly
adapted to survive long droughts, extreme heat as well as cold.
 Water storing leaves and stems, thick epidermal layers to reduce
water loss, and salt tolerance.
When spring rain falls, desert plants bloom and set their seeds
quickly.
Most animals in deserts are nocturnal, avoiding the heat and
disiccation of the sun (mainly desert rodents). They obtain
moisture from seeds and plants, and have concentrated feces
and urine.
Namibian Desert
Temperate Grasslands
Rich soils, with enough rain to support grasslands but
not forests.
Diverse mix of of grasses and herbaceous plants,
known as forbs.
In dry areas, grasslands are less than a meter tall, but
exceed 2 meters in more humid areas.
Have deep roots to collect as much water as possible,
and when dead, they produce thick, organic-rich soils.
This invites agricultural plantations, such as: soybean,
wheat and other crops.
Temperate Grassland - Forbs
Temperate Shrublands (Mediterranean)
Known as chaparral (Spanish for ‘thicket’) in California
Variable and biologically rich shrubs due to mixed
environment (hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters).
 Some varieties include: Evergreen shrubs (with waxy
leaves), scrub oaks, pines, or other clustered small trees.
There are also types like sagebush, chamiso and saltbush.
Fires are frequent, and important factor for plant
succession.
Animals that inhabit shrublands are drought-tolerant,
like jackrabbits, kangaroo rats, mule deer, chipmunks,
lizards and many bird species.
Saltbush Vegetation
Temperate Forests
Characterized by two different tree types: deciduous
(losing leaves seasonally) or coniferous (cone-bearing).
Deciduous trees have broad leaves and occur where
rainfall is abundant. Leaves decolorize in autumn and fall
in winter.
In spring, flowers grow in voluminous amounts and pools
support amphibians and insects. These forests also
shelter great diversity of songbirds.
The trees can regrow quickly, but extensive human
impact is a great threat (especially in Siberia, believed to
have highest rate of deforestation in the world).
 This also affects animals like Siberian tigers, bears, cranes
and much more.
Coniferous forests grow in a wide range of temperature
and moisture conditions.
Trees have thin, waxy leaves (needles) to minimize
moisture loss.
 Provides most wood products in North America
 Are evergreen
Can also grow in extremely wet conditions
(2500mm+), resulting in luxuriant plant growth and
giant trees (e.g. Californian redwoods (biggest trees,
and largest aboveground organism in the world)).
Deciduous Redwoods - Coniferous
Boreal Forests (Northern Forests)
Because conifers can survive winter cold, they tend to
dominate boreal forests.
 Pines, hemlocks, spruce, cedar and fir are among the
dominant trees.
There are also some deciduous trees like maple, birch,
aspen and alder.
Slow growing due to cold temperature.
The extreme edges of boreal forests, which give way to
tundra, is known by the Russian name, taiga.
Boreal Forest - Canada
Tundra
Only hardy, small vegetation can survive in temperatures below
freezing.
Tundra, a treeless landscape that occurs at high latitudes or on
mountaintops, with low diversity, and has a growing season of 2
– 3 months.
Arctic tundra has a very short growing season with low
productivity. In summer, sunshine helps in growth and supports
insect life.
Millions of birds migrate to the arctic to feast on flowers in alpine
tundra.
Among plants, are willows, sedges, grasses, mosses and lichens.
Migratory musk-ox, caribou or mountain sheep/goats live off the
vegetation because they move to new pastures.
Not threatened by human activity, but global warming is altering
the balance of tundra ecosystems.
Tundra - Alaska