science

Ecosystems Continued

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Tundra

The tundra is a cold desert, like the Artic. Tundra biomes are generally treeless because soil is not rich enough to support trees, subfreezing temperatures slow down decomposition, so it takes longer for nutrients to enter soil. Lichens, moss, grass, and small shrubs generally live in the tundra.

Tundra Con.

Beneath the soil there is a layer of ground that is always frozen, called Permafrost (like the words "permanent" and "frost" combined). During the short summer when some plants grow and flower, the Tundra fills with bugs, hawks, owls, grouse, mice, lemmings, caribou, reindeer, and musk oxen. The Alpine Tundra is like the Artic Tundra except that it is found in high-altitude places, like above the tree line on mountains.

Taiga and Coniferous Forests

The Taiga is south of the tundra and is a cold forested region. The trees in the taiga are mostly Coniferous Trees, which are trees that are cone-bearing. Many remain year-round. In the southern part of the taiga, the trees can be so dense that very little sunlight gets to the ground, meaning few small plants live in this part of the taiga. The animals that live in the taiga include bobcats, wolves, foxes, lynxes, rabbits, moose, elk and porcupines.

Deciduous Forest

A Deciduous Forest contains a variety of mostly deciduous trees and plants. Deciduous trees are trees that lose their leaves each year. Deciduous forest are located in temperate regions, such as the eastern coast of the United States, Central Europe and areas of Asia. The deciduous forest biome has a long growing season because it gets plenty of rain and has pretty moderate temperature. Raccoons, black bears, birds, mice, rabbis, woodpeckers, and foxes are some of the animals that live in deciduous forest.

Temperate Rain Forest

Temperate Rain Forests are forests in temperate regions (temperatures around 50F) that receive a lot of rain-such as forests in New Zealand and some parts of the United States, like Washington State. Black bears, cougars and amphibians are a few of the species that live in temperate rain forests.

Tropical Rain Forest

Tropical Rain Forests are located near the equator. They have warm temperatures and get lost of rain. Tropical rain forests house more species that any other biome. Some examples of the species that live in tropical rain forests include: monkeys, jaguars, leopards, snakes, beetles, ants, crickets, parrots, and toucan.

Rain forest

The rain forest is separated into levels. Each level provides a different habitat for animals. The levels are: Emergents, Canopy, Understory, Forest Floor.

Rain Forest Levels

• Emergents: at the treetops of the tallest trees that stick out (emerge) Above the layer, home to birds and insects.

• Canopy: The upper part of trees, home to birds, reptiles, and mammals such as monkeys.

• Understory: under canopy leaves but not touching the ground, home to insects, reptiles, and amphibians

• Forest Floor: the lowest zone, home to bugs and large mammals

Rain Forest

The rain forest is rapidly shrinking. Every second, 1.5 acres of rain forest are cut down for wood and to clear space for farming.