biomes

• Biotic Interactions


  Involves relationships among living organisms, such as predation, competition, and symbiosis
• Abiotic Interactions


  Involves the influences from non-living environmental factors such as temperature, water, and sunlight
• Climate Factors


  • Solar radiation
  • Earth's rotation
  • Atmospheric convection patterns
  • Large bodies of water
  • Mountain ranges
• Macroclimate


  Refers to the large-scale climate patterns in an area, often influenced by latitude, altitude, and the presence or absence of nearby water bodies
• Microclimate


  Smaller, localized weather conditions affected by specific site characteristics like vegetation cover, presence of water, or urban structures
• Macroclimate


  Generally affects the distribution and behaviors of broad species ranges
• Microclimate


  Can have significant impacts on species in confined areas, affecting survival, behavior, and reproduction
• Terrestrial Biomes

  • Tundra
  • Forests
  • Deserts
  • Grasslands
• Terrestrial Biomes are categorized based on climate (precipitation and temperature), flora, and fauna
• Terrestrial Biome Chart helps identify which plants and animals are likely to thrive in specific climates and geographies based on these factors
• Aquatic Biomes

  • Freshwater biomes (lakes and rivers)
  • Marine biomes (oceans, coral reefs)
• Freshwater biomes


  Low in salt content, supporting species adapted to low salinity
• Marine biomes


  Higher salinity and support a different set of aquatic life
• Abiotic Factors


  • Temperature
  • Water
  • Sunlight
  • Wind
  • Soil minerals
  • pH
• Abiotic Factors


  Determine where an organism can live based on its tolerance and adaptation to abiotic conditions
• Temperature as a Limiting Factor


  Organisms are adapted to specific temperature ranges; extreme temperatures can limit metabolic processes
• Temperature Adaptation


  • Polar bears are adapted to cold environments
  • Camels are adapted to hot, arid conditions
• Water Availability as a Limiting Factor


  Essential for all life forms; its scarcity or abundance can limit species distribution
• Water Availability Adaptation


  • Cacti thrive in deserts with specialized adaptations to store and conserve water
• Salinity as a Limiting Factor

  Affects the internal water balance of organisms in aquatic environments
• Salinity Adaptation


  • Mangroves have adapted to high salinity levels by filtering out salt at the root level
• Adaptations to Counteract Osmosis and Salinity


  • Salt excretion systems in marine birds
  • Water conservation in desert plants
  • Osmoregulation in fish
• Salinity Adaptation


  • Sharks maintain a high urea concentration in their tissues to counteract osmosis
• pH Influence


  Affects nutrient availability and microbial activity in the soil, influencing plant growth and species diversity
• pH Adaptation


  • Blueberry plants require acidic soil
  • Many grasses thrive in more alkaline conditions
• Light Availability as a Limiting Factor


  Essential for photosynthesis; varying light levels can influence where plants can grow and thus where animals that depend on them can live
• Light Availability Adaptation


  • Deep-sea organisms often rely on chemosynthesis due to the absence of light
  • Tropical rainforest plants have adapted to capture minimal sunlight under the canopy