Chapter 20 and 21

The biosphere includes all places where

organisms live on Earth
 The biosphere is divided into Biomes
Biomes are large areas distinctive in
habitat conditions and community
structure
Habitat conditions are shaped by
Climate
Topography
Soils
 Climate is the average weather
conditions over time
Temperature, humidity, wind, precipitation,
etc

Climates are created by several factors

 Climate
Seasonal Effects
Daylength and temperature change due to the
Earths tilted axis
 Climate
Air Circulation Patterns
The equator gets more solar energy
Warms the air making it less dense
Causes evaporation from the ocean
Results in upward movement of warm moist air
 Climate
Air Circulation Patterns
Warm, moist air rises
Cools, releasing moisture as rain creating an area of high
rainfall (rain forests)
Cooler air flows north and south
Cooled, dry air descends near 30N and S latitudes
Creates an area of low rainfall (deserts)
The air cycles back towards the equator
Air warms and picks up moisture starting the cycle
again
Several bands of circulating air encompass the
globe
 Climate
Surface Wind Patterns
Earths rotation curves the paths
of the bands of air circulating the
globe
Winds curve towards the right in the
Northern Hemisphere
In the Southern Hemisphere the
wind curves left
Creates the prevailing winds
(westerlies and easterlies)
Doldrums occur where the winds are
intermittent
 Climate
Ocean Currents
More sunlight at the equator warms the water
ultimately creating water currents through the
ocean
Water temperatures contribute to regional
differences in air temperature and rainfall
Fig. 43.5, p. 726
 Topography creates regional effects
Local topography affects climate
Proximity to oceans moderate climate
Elevation
Land masses: Rain Shadows
Warm moist air along the coast
Cools as the air rises over mountains (precipitation)
Dry air descends and warms as it flows down the
leeward side
A Prevailing winds move
B Clouds pile up and rain C Rain shadow
moisture inland from the
forms on side of on side facing
Pacific Ocean. mountain range facing away from the
prevailing winds. moist prevailing
habitats winds makes
4,000/ 75 arid conditions.
3,000/ 85
1,800/ 1252,000/25
moist habitats 1,000/25
1,000/ 85
15/ 25

Fig. 43.6.1, p. 727

 Soils
Types of soil directly impacts what plants
can grow and their productivity
Soils differ in
Texture (ratio of sand, silt, and clay)
Structure (granular, blocky, etc)
pH
Fertility (nutrient availability)
 O horizon:
Well-defined.
Compacted mat of
organic deposits
O horizon: O horizon: resulting mainly from
Sparse litter Scattered litter activity of fungal
decomposers
A horizon:
Rich in organic matter
A-E horizons: A horizon:
above humus layer
Continually leached; iron, Acidic humus; most
unmixed with minerals
aluminum left behind impart minerals leached out,
B horizon: silica retained
red color to acidic soil
Accumulated minerals
B horizon: leached from above B horizon:
Clays with silicate, other C horizon: Accumulated clays with
residues of chemical Poorly weathered oxides of iron and
weathering rocks aluminum

O horizon:
Pebbles, little organic matter

A horizon:
Shallow, poor soil A horizon:
Alcaline, deep, rich in humus
B horizon:
Leaching results in salinization
(accumulated calcium, sodium
B horizon:
Percolating water enriches Fig. 44.12, p. 764
C horizon: with calcium carbinates
Rock fragments from uplands
Slide11
 What is the biosphere?
What is a biome?
Warm air ______ (rises or lowers) and it holds
______ (more or less) water than cold air
Based on the air circulation patterns where
would you expect deserts to form?
Based on the air circulation patterns where
would you expect tropical rain forests to
form?
T or F A rain shadow results from
movement of air over a mountain range
 Desert
High temperature (cools at night)
Low rainfall (0-10cm)
Vegetation: succulents, annuals
Areas which receive more rainfall have a greater variety
of plants
Adapted to dry conditions
Animals: reptiles, insects, small nocturnal
mammals
Air circulation patterns (30 latitude) and rain
shadows create most deserts
Lowlands with Uplands with a
lower rainfall bit more rainfall
Mojave Desert after the rains: annual poppies sprout, flower, produce
seeds, and die in the few short weeks while there is moisture
 Fennec Fox

Jerboa
 Grasslands
Tropical to Temperate
Rainfall 25-90 cm
Vegetation: grass, forbs (wild flowers), some trees
The amount of rain determines whether it is a short, tall,
or savanna grassland
Adapted to strong winds, infrequent rain, drought
Animals: abundant diverse herbivores and their
predators
Fires and grazing keeps shrubs and trees to a
minimum
Fig. 42-17b, p.763
 Credit: Joe McDonald/Visuals Unlimited 301213

Masai Ostrich on African savanna.

 Credit: Joe McDonald/Visuals Unlimited 300241

African Lioness (Panthera leo) and African Elephants, Masai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
 Credit: William J. Weber/Visuals Unlimited 228616

Black-Tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus), head emerging from burrow.

Fig. 42-17a, p.763