Chapter 27: Biomes

World Climate

Concepts

Effects of Earth's Tilt

Atmospheric Distribution of Heat

Continental Climate

Oceanic Distribution of Heat

Continental Drift

Present Position of the World's Continents

Past Positions of the World's Continents

Cambrian Period

Middle and Late Paleozoic Era

Mesozoic Era

The Current World Biomes

Moist Temperate Biomes

Temperate Rain Forests

Drier Montane and Subalpine Forests

Temperate Deciduous Forests

Southeastern Evergreen Forests

Dry Temperate Biomes

Grasslands

Shrublands and Woodlands

Botany and Beyond: Measuring Ancient Continental Positions and Climates

Desert

Alpine Tundra

Polar Biomes

Arctic Tundra

Boreal Coniferous Forests

Tropical Biomes

Tropical Rainforests

Tropical Grasslands and Savanna

Biomes: extensive groupings of many ecosystems characterized by the distinctive aspects of the dominant plants

Tundra, grasslands, temperate forests, and tropical rain forests

Continental Drift

23.5 degree tilt

This effects the length of time through out the year

Effects rainfall

Desert islands

rain shadow

Air circulation patterns drive water

trade winds blow across the tropics

regional latitude determines the climate of a region

The ice caps hold millions of gallons of fresh water

South america helps break up the Atlantic and Pacific ocean to affect water currents

Gondwanaland

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Laurasia and Pangaea

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Laurasia took 400 million years to make

Tethys Sea

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Pangaea was 225 million years ago

Was 65 million years ago

giant long-lived conifers

Redwoods of California

northwest coast of united states

Montane Forest

Cascade Mountains and the Sierra Nevada

lower in elevations but holds pine and some oaks

Cold winters and warm (not hot) summers

Rocky Mountains

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Evergreen forest

Florida Panhandle

Frequent fires

All of North America

"Prairie"

Oklahoma

Similar to forest except the trees are widely spaced

Savanna if grass grows in-between trees

Chaparral in California

Less than 25 cm/year of rain fall

Arizona and New Mexico

own distinct vegetation

the highest point at which trees survive on a mountain or "Timberline"

4,500 m or if cold 3,500 m

Mt. Washington in New Hampshire

Permafrost

short growing season, less than 3 months

80% of plant's biomass may be below ground

just south of the arctic tundra

Canada

almost exclusively coniferous

Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Guam

over 200 cm/year

rain everyday

lower rainfall develop as thorn-scrub

Africa

Most trees are flat-tops

Earth's surface propelled by circulation patterns in the mantle

it is possible to discover where the continents have been located in the past

studying the magnetic orientation

the presence of fossilized coral