Subtropical deserts exist between 15o and 30o north and south latitude and are centered on the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. Deserts are often found on the leeward or lee side of mountain ranges, creating a rain shadow after prevailing winds drop their water content into the mountains. A good examples are …
The boreal forest, also known as taiga or coniferous forest, is found between approximately 50° and 60° north latitude in most of Canada, Alaska, Russia, and northern Europe. Boreal forests are located above a certain elevation (and below high elevations where trees cannot grow) in mountain ranges throughout the Northern Hemisphere. This biome is characterized …
Tropical rainforests are located in equatorial regions and certainly are the most biodiverse terrestrial biome. This biodiversity is under enormous threat from logging and deforestation for agriculture. Rainforests are also known as nature’s pharmacy because of the potential for new medicines, much of which is hidden in the chemicals produced by the wide variety of …
Temperate forests are the usual biome in eastern North America, Western Europe, Eastern Asia, Chile, and New Zealand. This biome is spreading throughout mid-latitude regions. Temperatures range from -30°C to 30°C (-22°F to 86°F) and fall below freezing annually. The growing seasons of the forests are spring, summer, and early autumn. Rainfall is fairly constant …
Savannas are grasslands with scattered trees that are located in Africa, South America, and North Australia. Savannas are hot, tropical areas with temperatures averaging from 24oC –29oC (75o F –84o F) and an annual rainfall of 51–127 cm (20–50 in). Savannas have a long dry season and frequent fires. As a result, there are only …
The average winter temperature is 34 °C (29.2 °F) and the average summer temperature is 3 °C to 12 °C (37 °F to 52 °F). Arctic tundra plants have a short growing season of around 50 to 60 days. However, during this period there are almost 24 hours of daylight and plant growth is rapid. …
Chaparral (scrub forest) is situated in California, alongside the Mediterranean Sea, and on the south coast of Australia. Annual rainfall in this biome ranges from 65 cm to 75 cm (25.6 to 29.5 in), with most rain falling in winter. The summer is very dry and many plants are inactive in summer. The chaparral vegetation …
Temperate zone grasslands are found throughout central North America, where they are also known as prairies, and in Eurasia, where they are known as steppes. Temperate grasslands have large annual temperature variations with hot summers and cold winters. Annual temperature variations create specific growing seasons for plants. Plant growth is possible when temperatures are warm …
A food chain is a linear order of organisms in which nutrients and energy flow as one organism eats another. The food chain levels are producers, primary consumers, higher-level consumers, and finally decomposers. These levels are used to describe the structure and dynamics of the ecosystem. There is only one way through a food chain. …
In nature, many species live the same habitat but perform different functions. A “niche” describes the functional characteristics of a species in its habitat. While a species’ habitat is like its ‘address’ (i.e. where it lives), the niche can be thought of as its ‘occupation’ (i.e. species-specific activities and responses). An ecological niche is a …
