Introduction to EcologyEcologyEcologists StudyQuestions Ecologists AskEcologists Answer Questions ByBIOMEBiomes of the WorldBiomes of North AmericaClimate of Biomes of North AmericaClimate Characteristics of a Deciduous (Temperate) ForestDECIDUOUS (TEMPERATE) FORESTDECIDUOUS FOREST VEGETATIONDECIDUOUS FORESTSCONIFEROUS (BOREAL) FORESTCONIFEROUS FOREST VEGETATIONCONIFEROUS FORESTS(ARTIC) TUNDRATUNDRA VEGETATIONTUNDRAS(SUBTROPICAL) DESERTDESERT VEGETATIONDESERTSGRASSLANDGRASSLAND VEGETATIONGRASSLANDSWhich Biome?Slide 27Slide 28Slide 29Slide 30“Altitudinal” BiomesSeasonal Climate VariationGeographic Distribution of Deciduous Forest TypesNumerous Community Types Have Been DescribedWhat is a Biological Community?Most Biological Communities Consist of Thousands of SpeciesOnly Crude Estimates Exist of Population Sizes in Natural CommunitiesSlide 38Introduction to EcologyLecturer: Dr. Darrel L. MurrayE-mail: To: [email protected] RE: BioS 101-……Office Hrs: 12-1pm MWFOffice Location: 3472 SESReadings: Freeman Chapter 50 (pages 1144-1156)Webpage:http://www.uic.edu/classes/bios/bios101/MurrayMolumbia07.htmEcology•The study of interactions of living things with each other and their physical environment.•Ecological events occur within a time frame of one to several generations.Ecologists Study•Populations-- A group of individuals that interact while seeking resources or producing offspring.•Communities -- An assemblage of populations of different species.•Biomes -- Large geographic regions that have similar vegetation and climate.•Biosphere -- The living portion of planet earth.Questions Ecologists Ask•Why certain species of plants or animals are present at some times or places and not others?•What factors influence abundance?•What path does matter and energy follow in moving from one living thing to another?Ecologists Answer Questions By•Careful Observations of Nature.•Laboratory Experiments.•Mathematical Models.•Computer Simulations.•Controlled Field Experiments.BIOME•A collection of communities that share similar vegetation and climate.•Occupies a large geographical area.QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressorare needed to see this picture.Biomes of the WorldQuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressorare needed to see this picture.Study the North American portion of map on page 1150 in Freeman.Biomes of North AmericaQuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressorare needed to see this picture.Climate of Biomes of North America•Climate is the prevailing long term weather of a given region. •Weather is the day to day atmospheric conditions of temperature, precipitation, sunlight, and wind.QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressorare needed to see this picture.Climate Characteristics of a Deciduous (Temperate) Forest•The current climate of the Chicago region is that of a Deciduous Forest Biome.•Past climate favored a (Temperate) Grassland Biome. Hence, the prevalence of prairies prior to the 1850’s.QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressorare needed to see this picture.DECIDUOUS (TEMPERATE) FOREST•Climate: * medium to high average annual precipitation (55 to 210 cm or 25 to 85 in) *cool to warm average annual temperatures (10 to 28 0C or 49 to 83 0F)DECIDUOUS FOREST VEGETATION•Trees * Flower bearing with thin, broad leaves * Conspicuous and abundant * Many species (Beech, Maple, Oak, Hickory, Elm)•Shrubs & Vines (form under story)•Grasses and Forbs (abundant in spring and found in clearings)•Ferns and Mosses (present but inconspicuous)DECIDUOUS FORESTSCONIFEROUS (BOREAL) FOREST•Climate: * medium to high average annual precipitation (50 to 200 cm or 20 to 80 in) *cold to cool average annual temperatures (0 to 10 0C or 32 to 50 0F)CONIFEROUS FOREST VEGETATION•Trees* Cone bearing with needle-like leaves* Conspicuous and abundant* Few species (Pines, Hemlocks, Spruces, Firs)•Shrubs (scattered)•Grasses and Herbs (abundant in clearings)•Ferns and Mosses (often abundant in clearings)CONIFEROUS FORESTS *(ARTIC) TUNDRA• Climate: *cold average annual temperatures (-11 to 4 0C or 12 to 38 0F) * medium to high average annual precipitation (2-110 cm or 5 to 45 in)TUNDRAVEGETATION•Lichens and Mosses * Wide spread * Conspicuous in rocky areas •Grasses and Sedges (abundant)•Forbs (several species) •Shrubs (stunted) •Trees (largely absent)TUNDRAS(SUBTROPICAL) DESERT•Climate: *cool to warm average annual temperatures (11 to 26 0C or 47 to 80 0F) * low average annual precipitation (2 to 35 cm or 1 to 14 in)DESERTVEGETATION•Shrubs * Wide spread * Several species (commonly called sage brush) •Succulents (cacti, etc) * Abundant in hot deserts * Scarce in cool deserts•Grasses and Sedges (abundant in cool deserts)•Forbs (conspicuous in rainy season) •Trees * Along stream beds * Xerophytic species in hot desertsDESERTSGRASSLAND•Climate: *cold to hot average annual temperatures (3 to 32 0C or 32 to 88 0F) * low to medium average annual precipitation (25 to 90 cm or 10 to 35 in)GRASSLAND VEGETATION•GRASSES * Conspicuous and abundant * Short in dry areas; tall in moist areas•FORBS * Conspicuous and abundant * Many species•SHRUBS (scattered)•TREES (found along streams)GRASSLANDSWhich Biome?•This area consists of widely scattered drought-resistant shrubs and succulents. Periods of rainfall are marked by sudden spectacular blooms of annual forbs. Individual plants are widely spaced -- a pattern that may reflect intense competition for water.Which Biome?•This area is characterized by cold to hot average annual temperatures with cool to cold winters and warm to hot summers. Many species of forbs are conspicuous and abundant. Trees are scattered along streams.Which Biome?•This area experiences a period in which mean monthly temperatures fall below freezing and plant growth stops. During this time, trees which are the dominant vegetation drop their leaves and become dormant. They grow new leaves in the spring.Which Biome?•This area is characterized by cold to cool average annual temperatures with medium to high average annual precipitation. There are only a few tree species such as pines, hemlocks, spruces and firs. These trees retain their needle-like leaves all year.Which Biome?•This area has a growing season that is 6-8 weeks long; otherwise, temperatures are below freezing. The soils are