1. Environmental ScienceEnvironmental Science
November 1, 2010November 1, 2010
Mrs. HarrisMrs. Harris

2. Today’s objectivesToday’s objectives
 What is a biome?What is a biome?
 Compare biomesCompare biomes
 Environmental threatsEnvironmental threats
to different biomesto different biomes

3. From last time…From last time…
 Food chains and websFood chains and webs
 All dependent upon theAll dependent upon the
producers, a.k.a. plantsproducers, a.k.a. plants
 We could say then thatWe could say then that
the whole ecosystem isthe whole ecosystem is
dependent upon the typedependent upon the type
of plants that grow there.of plants that grow there.

4. Where would you find theseWhere would you find these
types of weather?types of weather?
Dry, Hot
Wet, Hot
Dry, Cool

5. Factors that affect plantsFactors that affect plants
 Two biggest ones:Two biggest ones:
 ______________________________
 ______________________________
 The type of plants determineThe type of plants determine
what other animals are ablewhat other animals are able
to survive in that area.to survive in that area.

6. Factors that affect plantsFactors that affect plants
 Two biggest ones:Two biggest ones:
 sunshinesunshine
 waterwater
 The type of plants determineThe type of plants determine
what other animals are ablewhat other animals are able
to survive in that area.to survive in that area.

7. BIOMESBIOMES
 A biome is a type of area that is definedA biome is a type of area that is defined
by itsby its climateclimate andand type of animals andtype of animals and
plantsplants that live there.that live there.
 Climates are general weather patterns overClimates are general weather patterns over
the course of a yearthe course of a year (because patterns can change(because patterns can change
from season to season)from season to season)
 TemperaturesTemperatures
 PrecipitationPrecipitation

8. TerrestrialTerrestrial (on land)(on land) BiomesBiomes

9. Biome DistributionBiome Distribution

10. Threats to BiomesThreats to Biomes
 Global climate change can affect all climates andGlobal climate change can affect all climates and
hence all biomeshence all biomes
 Clear-cuttingClear-cutting
 Over-grazingOver-grazing
 PollutionPollution
 FarmingFarming
 Land developmentLand development
 Resource consumptionResource consumption
 ……

12. Next weekNext week
 Environmentalists through historyEnvironmentalists through history
 Environmental groupsEnvironmental groups