Chapter 49

The Biosphere

The Biosphere

Outline
Climate and the Biosphere
Solar Radiation Global Wind Circulation Tundra Forests Shrublands Grasslands Deserts Life Zones Lakes Estuaries Seashores Oceans

Terrestrial Ecosystems

Aquatic Ecosystems

The Biosphere

Climate and the Biosphere Climate

Prevailing weather conditions in a region

Determined primarily by temperature and precipitation

Influenced by a multitude of factors including latitude, tilt of the earths axis, and topography

Effects of solar radiation

Spherical earth
Rotation and path of the earth around the sun

Distribution of Solar Energy

Global Wind Circulation

The Biosphere

Rain Shadow Consider a coastal mountain range

Windward side of the mountain
- Winds rise - Release moisture

Leeward side
- Dry winds subside

- Evaporates existing water and rarely rains

- Rain shadow

Formation of a Rain Shadow

The Biosphere

Terrestrial Communities

Biomes
A particular mix of plants and animals adapted to living under certain environmental conditions Often delineated by climate

Tend to repeat wherever temperature and precipitation are the same

Pattern of Biome Distribution

Climate and Biomes

10

The Biosphere

11

Tundra Arctic tundra

Encircles Earth just south of ice-covered polar seas in Northern Hemisphere Covers 20% of Earths land surface Trees are not found in the tundra because growing season is too short
- Roots cannot penetrate permafrost

The Tundra

12

The Biosphere

13

Coniferous Forests

Taiga typifies coniferous forest with cone-bearing trees

Trees well adapted to cold

Leaves and bark have thick covering

Needle-like leaves can withstand weight of heavy snowfall

Temperate Rainforest (Old-Growth Forests) of Pacific Northwest

Evergreen forest

The Taiga

14

The Biosphere

15

Temperate Deciduous Forests

Found south of taiga in eastern North America, eastern Asia, and much of Europe
Four well-defined seasons with long growing seasons Tallest trees form a canopy Ground-life is plentiful

Temperate Deciduous Forest

16

The Biosphere

17

Tropical Forests Found in equatorial regions

Plentiful rainfall Most animals live in trees
- Abundant insect life

Epiphytes grow in many areas

Soils are nutrient-poor

- Rapid recycling of nutrients

Swidden agriculture successful but destructive

Levels of Life in a Tropical Rain Forest

18

Representative Animals of the Tropical Rain Forests of the World

19

The Biosphere

20

Shrublands

Tend to occur along coasts that have hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters
Shrubs adapted to withstand arid conditions Dense shrubland in California known as chaparral

Shrubland

21

The Biosphere

22

Grasslands

Occur where annual rainfall is greater than 25 cm, but generally insufficient to support trees
Grasses well adapted to changing environment Temperate Grasslands Savannas

Temperate Grassland

23

The Savanna

24

The Biosphere

25

Deserts

Usually found at latitudes of about 30o in both north and south hemispheres
Descending winds lack moisture

Annual rainfall less than 25 cm

Large temperature differential between day and night

The Desert

26

The Biosphere

27

Aquatic Ecosystems Lakes

Bodies of water classified by nutrient status
- Oligotrophic - Nutrient-poor

- Eutrophic - Nutrient-rich

Lake Stratification
- In temperate zones, deep lakes are stratified in the summer and winter

Freshwater and Saltwater Ecosystems

28

Types of Lakes

29

Lake Stratification in a Temperate Region 30

The Biosphere

31

Aquatic Life Zones Plankton

Important community in fresh water and salt water
- Phytoplankton - Algae - Zooplankton - Animals

Life Zones
Littoral zone - Closest to shore Limnetic zone - Sunlit areas Profundal zone - Below light penetration Benthic zone - Soil-Water interface

Zones of a Lake

32

The Biosphere

33

Coastal Communities Estuaries

Partially enclosed bodies of water where fresh water and seawater meet and mix

Organisms must be able to adapt to changing salinity

Estimated over half of all marine fishes require development in estuaries

Estuary Structure and Function

34

Types of Estuaries

35

The Biosphere

36

Seashores Littoral zone lies between high and low water marks
Rocky Shores
- Many attached organisms

- Littoral zone of rocky beach divided into subzones

Sandy beach
- No attachment sites available
- Nearly all permanent residents dwell underground

Seacoasts

37

The Biosphere

38

Oceans Major ocean currents move heat from the equator to cooler parts of the biosphere
Gulf Stream warms east coast of North America and parts of Europe El Nino Southern Oscillation
- Cold upwelling off west coast of South America subsides

Ocean Currents

39

The Biosphere

40

Oceans Pelagic Division

Neritic Province
- High concentration of organisms due to sunlight penetration and supply of inorganic nutrients

- Coral Reefs

Oceanic Province
- Lacks inorganic nutrients
- Does not have high concentration of phytoplankton

The Biosphere

41

Oceans Benthic Division

Includes organisms that live on or in:
- Continental Shelf (sublittoral zone) - Continental Slope (bathyal zone) - Abyssal Plain (Abyssal zone)
Interrupted

by hydrothermal vents

Organisms are dependent on debris sinking down from above

Marine Environment

42

Ocean Inhabitants

43

The Biosphere

44

Review
Climate and the Biosphere
Solar Radiation Global Wind Circulation Tundra Forests Shrublands Grasslands Deserts Life Zones Lakes Estuaries Seashores Oceans

Terrestrial Ecosystems

Aquatic Ecosystems

Ending Slide Chapter 49

The Biosphere