2.05 Biomes

Ready to move? Sheltering in that cabin during the storm was very cool. Lightning flashing! Thunder booming! Pounding rain!

Nothing like being right in the middle of it! Recycled rainwater really does refresh the soul!

Since you made such great time getting up the mountain, I have a special opportunity for you. If we hike over that ridge just up there, we will be able to see how this mountain range separates two completely different biomes.

I know that you'll fill up your Travel Log with travel notes on this special experience!

Get out your binoculars and get ready to take a closer look...

In this activity you will:

learn the characteristics of and distinguish between the major biomes.
identify the major limiting factors affecting distribution of terrestrial biomes and the animals and plants that inhabit that biome.
describe examples of adaptations of plants and animals in a given biome.

Can you see the difference?

(Use your mouse to move the "magnifying glass" around the image.)

If you look behind us (top) you can see the area we hiked from, a typical forest. If you look ahead of us (bottom), you see a desert. I bet you won't find any large trees growing in that desert and you won't find any cactus on top of this mountain. Can you name some more differences between the desert and the forest?

Right, the desert is hot, has little rain, and has some very unique plant and animal life. Take the cactus; it has some characteristics, or adaptations that make it especially suited to live in the hot, dry desert climate.

It has spines, instead of leaves, that reduce the loss of water that normally takes place through leaves.
It also has a special cellular process that takes place only at night to conserve water.

Trees in a deciduous forest have their own adaptations that are very different from the cactus, but that allow them to survive in a milder, wetter climate.

What is a Biome?

Large geographical areas that have vegetation and animals that have become especially adapted to a certain climate are called biomes. Climate is the combination of expected temperature, sunlight, wind, and precipitation over an extended length of time. This is why you don't see polar bears in a desert; they just can't handle the climate.

As we continue our hike, we'll pass through a few different biomes. Pay close attention and you will see how the plants and animals have adapted to that particular area. An adaptation is any special characteristic or feature that makes the animal or plant especially suited for the climate and geological features of the biome in which they live.

Let's continue to look at some interesting biomes around the world. Click on the BioVenture tab to continue the Extreme Eco Challenge.