Introduction to the World's Biomes.
Images at bottom.
Rainforests
1: What are the two types of rainforests? In the United States, where are our rainforests
located? (Be specific). What percentage of our original rainforests does this represent?
The two types of rainforests are temperate and tropical. In the United States, most rainforest are found along the pacific coast.
Tundra
2: Where is the Tundra Biome located? What is permafrost? What percentage of the Earth’s surface is covered by Tundra?
The Tundra Biome is located north, by the north pole. One fifth of the Earth's surface is covered by Tundra
Taiga
3: Where is the Taiga Biome located? What is the soil like in the Taiga- why?
The Taiga biome is in Canada, Europe and Asia. The soil in Taigas are very sponge-like. This is because the cool temperatures in the Taigas slow down the decomposition process. This causes undecayed vegetation to build slowly on the surface floor.
Desert
4: How much rainfall is characteristic of deserts? Explain where most deserts are located and the RAINSHADOW Effect.
In deserts, there is less than 10 inches of rain per year. The rainshadow effect is when air moves up a side of a mountain it loses the ability to hold its moisture due to the coldness and it begins to rain.
Temperate Deciduous Forest
5: What is special about this biome? Deciduous trees have special leaves that are adapted to the biome- explain.
This biome is special as it undergoes all four seasons and all four season temperatures. The leaves of this biome are very special.
Grasslands
6: Grasslands are found on every continent except for one- which? How much rainfall do grasslands get- why is this important? What are the 3 types of grasslands that are found in North America? What are grasslands called in other places in the world?
Grasslands are found on every continent with the exception of Antarctica. The grasslands receive between 10 to 30 inches of rain per year.
Rivers & Streams
7: How much water on Earth does running water represent? What is a watershed? What are the two main processes that happen to surface water? What is the longest river in the world? What is the longest river in the United States? What is a hydroelectric dam?
All running water on Earth only represent 0.3% of all water. A watershed is a set of streams and rivers that all lead to a single larger body of water such as another river, a lake or an ocean. The two main process that happens to surface water are surface runoff and infiltration. The longest river in the world is the Nile river found in Egypt.
Ponds & Lakes
8: What is the difference between a pond and lake? Name the four stages of succession of a pond. Explain how an Oxbow Lake is formed. What is the largest lake in the world? What is the largest lake in the United States? What is the deepest lake in the world? What is Lake Effect Snow? Explain. What is the cause of summerkill in some lakes?
A pond is much shallower then a lake and it has fairly even water temperatures from top to bottom. A lake is deeper and has water temperature that varies based on depth. An oxbow lake is formed from the erosion of sediments on a U-shaped river. The largest lake in the world is the Caspian Sea located in Eurasia. The largest lake in the United States is Lake Superior.
Wetlands
9: What are the types of freshwater wetlands- name and define them. Explain why wetlands are so important. What is happening to our wetlands?
The types of wetlands are swamps, bogs, prairie potholes, flood plains, and fen.
- Bogs - Peat-accumulating wetland, most water comes from precipitation
- Swamps - Slow moving streams, rivers and isolated depressions
- Prairie Pothole - Shallow or bowl-like depressions and have various wetness
- Marsh - inland area, containing many different vegetation rather than trees
- Riparian Marsh - Marshes that occur along a river.
Wetlands are important as they:
- Prevents flooding
- Wetlands take in excess water (Such as a storm)
- Slowly releases water when levels are slow
- Release vegetation into rivers which help feed fish
- Purifies water
Our wetlands are being destroyed for development.
Shorelines
10: What kind of lifeforms will you find in the intertidal zone? What is a barrier island? What is an estuary? What is life like in an estuary? What is a salt marsh? What is the Mangrove Forest? How are the trees specially adapted to living in that environment? Why are they important?
Along the intertidal zone, you may find Sea stars, clams or shells from snails and other organisms. A barrier island is an island separated from mainland by bodies of water varying in size. Life in an estuary is a great diversity and very complex food web. Creatures include Mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, shellfish as well as plants. A salt marsh is a marsh located where the land meets the sea. There salinity and water level varies. A mangrove forest are near the mouths of large rivers where there is lots of sediments. Mangrove forests have lots of life. Mangrove trees have adapted by having roots that filter out the salt in the water. Mangroves are important because they have been used for other things but are not being conserved for the future.
Temperate Ocean Zones
11: Name and describe the different zones of the ocean and how they are divided. Describe the different photic zones of the ocean. What are kelp forests? Where are they found?
The different zones are:
- Benthic zone - The bottom of the ocean itself
- Pelagic zone - The water itself
- Neratic zone - Part of the pelagic zone that extends from the high tide line to the ocean less than 600 feet in depth
- Oceanic zone - Deeper than 600 feet
- Sunlit zone - Enough light penetrates to perform photosynthesis
- Twilight zone - Little amount of lights
- Midnight zone - No light at all
12: What is coral made of? Explain. Where are most coral reefs located? Where is the largest coral reef?
Coral is made from Calcium Carbonate. When a coral dies, a skeleton is left behind. Then new coral attach themselves to that cycle. Most coral reefs are located near the equator. The largest coral reef is the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.