GEOG 5Gillespie, Thomas2012 FallWeek 2Lecture 2October 2Announcements- Required reading: Chapters 1 and 6 Outline of Last Lecture I. Brief outline of what geography is and practice drawing of the worldOutline of Today’s Lecture II. Introduction to idea of biomes III. Discussion of the world’s biomes Today’s LectureEcosystems and Biomes 1. A biome breaks the world into areas with similar plants and animals due to its climate. 2. Biomes can also be referred to as ecosystems, ecozones, etc. 3. Aristotle’s hypothesis of biomes broke the worlds into five sections: Frigid, Temperate, Torrid, Temperate and FrigidTundra: - Where – North America, Russia, high elevations, Artic - CA - No- Why – 7 month freeze – this means the ground is frozen for seven months preventing trees from growing. There is also less than 25 cm of precipitation per year - Fire – No, this is not a natural part of this biome.- Plants – herbs, and perennial. All plants of the tundra are edible. - People’s impact – this area is used for oil - Conservation Status – very good, not really any major environmental issues Boreal Forest: - Where – North America, Europe (Scandinavia), Russia, South America - CA – Yes - Why – Boreal forest occurs due to 50 cm of precipitation, and a freeze of less than 7 months. - Plants – Conifers (cone bearing trees, often with needles) Fir tress, pine trees, sequoia trees - Fire – Yes, it occurs naturally in this biomeThese notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.Ground Fire: burns along the ground, relatively small fireCrown Fire: burns whole trees, very large fire - People’s impact – used for timber - Conservation Status – good as the trees are renewable Temperate Deciduous Forest: - Where – East America, West Europe, South Chile, Japan, China, New Zealand, Tasmania, Australia - CA – No - Why – this occurs as the winters are very cold but the summers are hot and wet - Fire – No - Plants – flowering trees (magnolia, oaks) they have lateral branches and big leaves - People’s impact – this biome attracts a lot of people so highly populated regions develop, it is also very agriculturally productive - Conservation Status – good, this biome allows for plants to grow back very quickly Temperate Grasslands: - Where – United States (praires), South Africa (veldt), Argentina (pompous), Europe (steppe)- CA - Yes- Why – Climate is dryer and more temperate - Fire – Yes, very important natural element. Small fires destroy the shrubs so as to maintain the grass - Plants – perennial, short and long grasslands, 80% of the grass is underground meaning that it is protected from the fires. - People’s impact - Agriculture - Conservation Status –