Deciduous Forest Challenge Worksheet Answers

3.iii Terrestrial Biomes

A world map shows the eight major biomes, polar ice caps, and mountains. Tropical forests, deserts and savannas are found primarily in South America, Africa and Australia. Tropical forests also dominate southeast Asia. Deserts dominate the Middle East and are found in the southwestern United States. Temperate forests dominate the eastern United States, Europe and Eastern Asia. Temperate grasslands dominate the midwestern United States and parts of Asia, and are also found in South America. Boreal forest is found in northern Canada, Europe and Asia, and tundra exists to the north of the boreal forests. Mountainous regions run the length of North and South America, and are found in northern India, Africa and parts of Europe. Polar ice covers Greenland and Antarctica, the latter is not shown on the map. — Effigy 1. Each of the earth's eight major biomes is distinguished by characteristic temperatures and amount of precipitation. Polar water ice caps and mountains are also shown.

In that location are 8 major terrestrial biomes: tropical rainforests, savannas, subtropical deserts, chaparral, temperate grasslands, temperate forests, boreal forests, and Arctic tundra. Biomes are large-scale environments that are distinguished past characteristic temperature ranges and amounts of atmospheric precipitation. These two variables bear upon the types of vegetation and fauna life that tin can exist in those areas. Because each biome is defined by climate, the same biome can occur in geographically distinct areas with similar climates (Figures ane and two).

Relationship between climate and type of biome — Figure 2. Atmospheric precipitation and temperature are the ii near of import climatic variables that determine the blazon of biome in a detail location. Credit: "Climate influence on terrestrial biome" by Navarras is in the Public Domain, CC0

Tropical rainforests are found in equatorial regions (Effigy one) are the most biodiverse terrestrial biome. This biodiversity is nether boggling threat primarily through logging and deforestation for agriculture. Tropical rainforests have also been described as nature'southward chemist's because of the potential for new drugs that is largely subconscious in the chemicals produced past the huge diversity of plants, animals, and other organisms. The vegetation is characterized past plants with spreading roots and broad leaves that autumn off throughout the yr, dissimilar the trees of deciduous forests that lose their leaves in 1 season.

The temperature and sunlight profiles of tropical rainforests are stable in comparison to other terrestrial biomes, with boilerplate temperatures ranging from twenty^oC to 34^oC (68^oF to 93^oF). Month-to-month temperatures are relatively constant in tropical rainforests, in dissimilarity to forests further from the equator. This lack of temperature seasonality leads to year-round plant growth rather than merely seasonal growth. In dissimilarity to other ecosystems, a consistent daily corporeality of sunlight (11–12 hours per solar day yr-round) provides more than solar radiation and therefore more opportunity for master productivity.

The almanac rainfall in tropical rainforests ranges from 125 to 660 cm (l–200 in) with considerable seasonal variation. Tropical rainforests accept wet months in which there tin can be more than thirty cm (xi–12 in) of precipitation, as well as dry months in which in that location are fewer than ten cm (3.5 in) of rainfall. However, the driest month of a tropical rainforest can still exceed the annual rainfall of some other biomes, such as deserts.Tropical rainforests have loftier cyberspace primary productivity because the annual temperatures and atmospheric precipitation values back up rapid institute growth. Still, the high amounts of rainfall leaches nutrients from the soils of these forests.

Photo depicts a section of the Amazon River, which is brown with mud. Trees line the edge of the river. — Figure iii. Species diverseness is very high in tropical wet forests, such as these forests of Madre de Dios, Peru, about the Amazon River. (credit: Roosevelt Garcia)

Tropical rainforests are characterized by vertical layering of vegetation and the germination of distinct habitats for animals within each layer. On the wood floor is a thin layer of plants and decaying found matter. Above that is an understory of curt, shrubby foliage. A layer of trees rises above this understory and is topped by a closed upper canopy—the uppermost overhead layer of branches and leaves. Some boosted copse emerge through this closed upper canopy. These layers provide various and complex habitats for the variety of plants, animals, and other organisms. Many species of animals employ the variety of plants and the complex construction of the tropical wet forests for nutrient and shelter. Some organisms live several meters above ground, rarely descending to the woods floor.

Figure four. A MinuteEarth video about how copse create rainfall, and vice versa.

Savannas are grasslands with scattered trees and are found in Africa, S America, and northern Australia (Figure 4 below). Savannas are hot, tropical areas with temperatures averaging from 24^oC –29^oC (75^oF –84^oF) and an annual rainfall of 51–127 cm (20–50 in). Savannas have an extensive dry season and consequent fires. As a result, there are relatively few trees scattered in the grasses and forbs (herbaceous flowering plants) that dominate the savanna. Because burn is an important source of disturbance in this biome, plants have evolved well-developed root systems that let them to chop-chop re-sprout later a fire.

A grassy slope dotted with pine trees. — Effigy 5. Although savannas are dominated by grasses, small woodlands, such equally this 1 in Mount Archer National Park in Queensland, Australia, may dot the landscape. (credit: "Ethel Aardvark"/Wikimedia Eatables)

Subtropical deserts exist between 15^o and 30^o north and s breadth and are centered on the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn (Figure 6 below). Deserts are often located on the downwind or lee side of mountain ranges, which create a rain shadow after prevailing winds drop their h2o content on the mountains. This is typical of the North American deserts, such as the Mohave and Sonoran deserts. Deserts in other regions, such as the Sahara Desert in northern Africa or the Namib Desert in southwestern Africa are dry because of the high-pressure, dry air descending at those latitudes. Subtropical deserts are very dry; evaporation typically exceeds precipitation. Subtropical hot deserts tin accept daytime soil surface temperatures above threescore^oC (140^oF) and night temperatures approaching 0^oC (32^oF). Subtropical deserts are characterized by low annual precipitation of fewer than xxx cm (12 in) with little monthly variation and lack of predictability in rainfall. Some years may receive tiny amounts of rainfall, while others receive more. In some cases, the annual rainfall tin be as low as 2 cm (0.8 in) in subtropical deserts located in primal Australia ("the Outback") and northern Africa.

Figure 6. A MinuteEarth video about the global climate patterns which lead to subtropical deserts.

The depression species variety of this biome is closely related to its low and unpredictable atmospheric precipitation. Despite the relatively low diverseness, desert species exhibit fascinating adaptations to the harshness of their environment. Very dry deserts lack perennial vegetation that lives from 1 year to the next; instead, many plants are annuals that grow speedily and reproduce when rainfall does occur, then they dice. Perennial plants in deserts are characterized past adaptations that conserve h2o: deep roots, reduced leaf, and water-storing stems (Figure 6 below). Seed plants in the desert produce seeds that can lie dormant for extended periods between rains. Most fauna life in subtropical deserts has adapted to a nocturnal life, spending the hot daytime hours beneath the footing. The Namib Desert is the oldest on the planet, and has probably been dry for more than 55 million years. It supports a number of owned species (species found only there) because of this great historic period. For example, the unusual gymnosperm Welwitschia mirabilis is the only extant species of an entire club of plants. At that place are also five species of reptiles considered endemic to the Namib.

In improver to subtropical deserts there are cold deserts that feel freezing temperatures during the winter and whatsoever precipitation is in the form of snowfall. The largest of these deserts are the Gobi Desert in northern China and southern Mongolia, the Taklimakan Desert in western Mainland china, the Turkestan Desert, and the Great Basin Desert of the United States.

Two photos depict a sandy desert dotted with scrubby bushes. An ocotillo plant dominates the pictures. It has long, thin unbranched stems that grow straight up from the base of the plant and radiate out slightly. In one photo, the plant has many small leaves growing directly from the thin stems, nearly obscuring them. In the other photo, the plant has no leaves. — Effigy vii. Many desert plants have tiny leaves or no leaves at all to reduce water loss. The leaves of ocotillo, shown here in the Chihuahuan Desert in Big Bend National Park, Texas, appear only afterwards rainfall and then are shed. (credit "blank ocotillo": "Leaflet"/Wikimedia Eatables)

The chaparral is also chosen scrub woods and is found in California, along the Mediterranean Sea, and forth the southern coast of Australia (Figure 7 beneath). The annual rainfall in this biome ranges from 65 cm to 75 cm (25.6–29.5 in) and the majority of the rain falls in the winter. Summers are very dry and many chaparral plants are dormant during the summertime. The chaparral vegetation is dominated by shrubs and is adjusted to periodic fires, with some plants producing seeds that germinate just later a hot fire. The ashes left backside after a fire are rich in nutrients like nitrogen and fertilize the soil, promoting plant regrowth. Fire is a natural part of the maintenance of this biome.

Photo depicts a landscape with many shrubs, dormant grass, a few trees, and mountains in the background. — Figure 8. The chaparral is dominated by shrubs. (credit: Miguel Vieira)

Temperate grasslands are found throughout key N America, where they are also known equally prairies, and in Eurasia, where they are known as steppes (Effigy 8 below). Temperate grasslands accept pronounced annual fluctuations in temperature with hot summers and common cold winters. The annual temperature variation produces specific growing seasons for plants. Plant growth is possible when temperatures are warm enough to sustain found growth, which occurs in the spring, summer, and fall.

Annual atmospheric precipitation ranges from 25.iv cm to 88.9 cm (ten–35 in). Temperate grasslands have few copse except for those found growing forth rivers or streams. The dominant vegetation tends to consist of grasses. The treeless status is maintained by low precipitation, frequent fires, and grazing. The vegetation is very dumbo and the soils are fertile because the subsurface of the soil is packed with the roots and rhizomes (hole-and-corner stems) of these grasses. The roots and rhizomes act to anchor plants into the ground and replenish the organic cloth (humus) in the soil when they dice and disuse.

Photos depict a bison, which is dark brown in color with an even darker head. The hind part of the animal has short fur, and the front of the animal has longer, curly fur. — Figure 9. The American bison (*Bison bison*), more commonly called the buffalo, is a grazing mammal that once populated American prairies in huge numbers. (credit: Jack Dykinga, USDA ARS)

Fires, which are a natural disturbance in temperate grasslands, can be ignited by lightning strikes. It also appears that the lightning-caused fire authorities in North American grasslands was enhanced past intentional called-for by humans. When fire is suppressed in temperate grasslands, the vegetation eventually converts to scrub and dense forests. Ofttimes, the restoration or management of temperate grasslands requires the employ of controlled burns to suppress the growth of trees and maintain the grasses.

Temperate forests are the nigh common biome in eastern North America, Western Europe, Eastern Asia, Chile, and New Zealand (Figure 9 below). This biome is plant throughout mid-latitude regions. Temperatures range between –xxx^oC and 30^oC (–22^oF to 86^oF) and drop to beneath freezing on an almanac ground. These temperatures mean that temperate forests have defined growing seasons during the spring, summer, and early fall. Atmospheric precipitation is relatively constant throughout the year and ranges between 75 cm and 150 cm (29.v–59 in).

Deciduous trees are the dominant constitute in this biome with fewer evergreen conifers. Deciduous trees lose their leaves each fall and remain leafless in the winter. Thus, little photosynthesis occurs during the dormant winter period. Each spring, new leaves announced as temperature increases. Because of the dormant menses, the cyberspace primary productivity of temperate forests is less than that of tropical rainforests. In improver, temperate forests testify far less diversity of tree species than tropical rainforest biomes.

The trees of the temperate forests leaf out and shade much of the ground. However, more sunlight reaches the ground in this biome than in tropical rainforests because trees in temperate forests practise not grow as tall as the copse in tropical rainforests. The soils of the temperate forests are rich in inorganic and organic nutrients compared to tropical rainforests. This is considering of the thick layer of leaf litter on wood floors and reduced leaching of nutrients by rainfall. As this leaf litter decays, nutrients are returned to the soil. The leaf litter likewise protects soil from erosion, insulates the ground, and provides habitats for invertebrates and their predators.

Photo shows a deciduous forest with many tall trees, some smaller trees and grass, and lots of dead leaves on the forest floor. Sunlight filters down to the forest floor. — Effigy 10. Deciduous trees are the dominant plant in the temperate forest. (credit: Oliver Herold)

The boreal woods, also known equally taiga or coniferous wood, is constitute roughly between 50^oand threescore^o due north latitude across most of Canada, Alaska, Russian federation, and northern Europe (Effigy 10 below). Boreal forests are as well found above a certain elevation (and below loftier elevations where trees cannot grow) in mount ranges throughout the Northern Hemisphere. This biome has common cold, dry winters and short, cool, wet summers. The annual precipitation is from 40 cm to 100 cm (xv.seven–39 in) and usually takes the form of snow; relatively piddling evaporation occurs because of the absurd temperatures.

The long and cold winters in the boreal woods accept led to the predominance of cold-tolerant cone-bearing plants. These are evergreen coniferous copse similar pines, spruce, and fir, which retain their needle-shaped leaves year-round. Evergreen trees can photosynthesize before in the spring than deciduous trees because less energy from the Sun is required to warm a needle-like foliage than a broad leaf. Evergreen copse grow faster than deciduous copse in the boreal forest. In improver, soils in boreal forest regions tend to be acidic with little available nitrogen. Leaves are a nitrogen-rich construction and deciduous copse must produce a new set of these nitrogen-rich structures each year. Therefore, coniferous trees that retain nitrogen-rich needles in a nitrogen limiting environment may have had a competitive advantage over the broad-leafed deciduous trees.

The photo shows a boreal forest with a uniform low layer of plants and tall conifers scattered throughout the landscape. The snowcapped mountains of the Alaska Range are in the background. — Figure 11. The boreal forest (taiga) has low lying plants and conifer trees. (credit: L.B. Brubaker, NOAA)

The internet primary productivity of boreal forests is lower than that of temperate forests and tropical wet forests. The aboveground biomass of boreal forests is high because these slow-growing tree species are long-lived and accrue continuing biomass over time. Species multifariousness is less than that seen in temperate forests and tropical rainforests. Boreal forests lack the layered forest construction seen in tropical rainforests or, to a bottom degree, temperate forests. The structure of a boreal forest is frequently just a tree layer and a ground layer. When conifer needles are dropped, they decompose more slowly than wide leaves; therefore, fewer nutrients are returned to the soil to fuel plant growth.

The Arctic tundra lies north of the subarctic boreal forests and is located throughout the Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Tundra as well exists at elevations to a higher place the tree line on mountains. The boilerplate winter temperature is –34°C (–29.ii°F) and the average summer temperature is 3°C–12°C (37°F –52°F). Plants in the Arctic tundra have a short growing season of approximately 50–60 days. All the same, during this time, there are nearly 24 hours of daylight and plant growth is rapid. The annual atmospheric precipitation of the Arctic tundra is low (15–25 cm or 6–ten in) with little annual variation in precipitation. And, as in the boreal forests, there is piffling evaporation because of the common cold temperatures.

Plants in the Arctic tundra are generally low to the ground and include low shrubs, grasses, lichens, and small flowering plants (Effigy 11 beneath). There is piddling species diversity, depression net primary productivity, and low above-ground biomass. The soils of the Arctic tundra may remain in a perennially frozen state referred to as permafrost. The permafrost makes it impossible for roots to penetrate far into the soil and slows the decay of organic matter, which inhibits the release of nutrients from organic matter. The melting of the permafrost in the brief summertime provides water for a outburst of productivity while temperatures and long days permit information technology. During the growing season, the basis of the Arctic tundra tin be completely covered with plants or lichens.