OVERVIEW OF THE PREVIOUS CLASS (05:11 PM)

TYPES OF ECOSYSTEM (05:20 PM)

• Difference between Aquatic and Natural ecosystem

TYPES OF BIOMES (05:35 PM)

• 1)Tundra
• 2)Taiga
• 3)Grassland
• 4)Desert
• 5)Tropical rainforest biomes
• A biome is a plant and animal community covering a large geographical area with specific geographic conditions.
• 
• TUNDRA BIOME
• Found near to the poles, High mountains.
• No rainfall.
• High biodiversity.
• Less oxygen.
• Tundra means treeless or barren, It is covered with snow or ice throughout the year.
• There are two types of tundra biomes-
• a)Arctic
• b)Alpine
• The temperature remains cold throughout the year.
• Precipitation less than 25 cm in the form of snowfall.
• The vegetation cannot grow due to permafrost soil. However, vegetation is seasonal and short like lichens, Sedges, dwarf birch, and Arctic willow.
• Wildlife includes walruses, polar bears, reindeer, snow foxes, Orca, and Arctic hares.
• Adaptation required in tundra biome-
• a)Thick fur.
• b)Large body size.
• c)Small tail to reduce the heat loss.
• d)Hibernation.
• e)Camouflage.
• f)Migration 
• g)Hoddling and group living.Example: Emperor penguins.

TAIGA BIOME (06:14 PM)

• Snow melts during the summer.
• Temperature is higher than Tundra.
• They are known for their high range of temperature.
• Winter is harsh.
• Precipitation is more than Tundra in summer due to convectional rainfall.
• Soil type-Podzol.
• Ecological productivity is higher than Tundra.
• Vegetation type-Coniferous type of vegetation-Evergreen species as no need to shed the leaves.
• Very low biodiversity.
• Largest biome in terms if are coverage.
• Only type of biome found in the northern hemisphere not in the southern hemisphere.
• It accounts for 1/3rd of all the natural vegetation. They are the largest supplier of oxygen.
• Regions-Siberia, Russia, Scandinavia, Poland, Canada and Alaska.
• Flaura-Pine, Spruce, small shrubs and berries.
• Fauna found-Reindeer, Moose, Fox, Wolf, Siberian tiger, and Snow leopard.
• Adaptation required-Thick Fur, Hibernation, and Food storage during summer.

TEMPERATE GRASSLAND BIOME (06:33 PM)

• Temperature is moderate and lower than the tropical grasslands.
• Rainfall is higher than the tropical grasslands due to temperate cyclones.
• During winter it is covered with snow, Grass is the dominant vegetation which is small and green.
• Nature of soil-Prairies soil (Black earth)-Most fertile soil found in the earth-Most fertile due to Calcification.
• Fauna-Bison, Coyote, Prairie dog.

SAVANNAH BIOME/TROPICAL GRASSLAND BIOME (07:12 PM)

• Temperature- Hot zone, High temperature.
• Precipitation is low and only in summer, Rainfall is mainly Convectional and is lower than the temperate grassland, and the soil is dry.
• The characteristic nature of climate is definite and long dry season.
• Soil-type is Dry soil and less fertile than temperate grasslands.
• Vegetation- Tall and yellow grass, Grass turns green during rainfall.
• Scattered drought-resistant trees.
• The major controlling factors of tropical grasslands-
• a)Water
• b)Fire
• c)Grazing.
• Type of trees- Acacia, Baobab, Palm tree.
• Herbivores like giraffes, elephants, wildebeest, Kangaroo, Elephants, Ostrich, and Emu.
• Carnivores like Lions, cheetahs, and leopards, No tiger is found naturally here.
• Adaptation includes Fire resistance, Thick bark, Underground storage, Drought resistance trees, and Consumes less water. Animals are capable of running fast in camouflage. Nocturnal animals, Migration.

DESERT BIOME (07:37 PM)

• Average rainfall less than 25 cm/annum.
• Very high temperature.
• High diurnal range of temperature.
• Xerophytic vegetation is found here.
• Adaptation of vegetation-Leaves are replaced with thorns, Long and deep root systems, Draught resistant trees, Waxy leaves, Green stems, and Thick and hard seeds.
• Flora includes Cactus, dates, babul, Acacia, and Prosopis juliflora.
• Fauna includes snakes and camels.
• Adaptation for the animal's requirement of water, Long ears for heat loss, capable of burrowing, most of them are nocturnal.

The topic for the next class: Continuation of the Biomes.