biomes-and-ecosystems

• A biome is a group of land ecosystems with similar climates and organisms
• There are 2 main types of rain forests

  temperate and tropical
• having moderate temperatures.

  temperate
• A leafy roof formed by the tallest trees

  canopy
• A second layer of shorter trees and vines

  understory
• An area that receives less than 25 cm of rain per year.

  deserts
• An area that is populated mostly by grasses and other non-woody plant

  grassland
• Trees that shed their leaves and grow new ones each year

  deciduous trees
• – Mostly contains coniferous trees (trees that produce their seeds in cones and have leaves shaped like needles). Ex. Fir, Spruce, Hemlock

  boreal forests
• Extremely cold and dry biome. • Usually receives NO more precipitation than a desert biome. • Most soil is frozen all year long (permafrost) • During summer, the top layer of soil thaws, but the rest remains frozen.

  tundra
• include streams, rivers, ponds and lakes

  freshwater ecosystems
• include estuaries, intertidal zones, neritic zones, and the open ocean

  marine ecosystems
• Where freshwater of a river meets saltwater of the ocean.

  estuary
• The area between the highest high tide line and the lowest low tide line.

  intertidal zone
• The area below the low tide line which extends over the continental shelf.

  neritic zone
• Separated into two zones: • Surface Zone: The first few hundred meters deep of the ocean (where light penetrates). • Deep Zone: Below the surface zone (totally dark and home to many BIZZARE organisms).


  open zone