Cold temperatures
permafrost even in the summer
10 of rain annually
no trees, just grasses in the short summer
small mammals, waterfowl, lots of insects
Long winters with short, cool summers
10-40 of rain annually
trees have needles to reduce water loss and
shed snow
larger mammals, migratory birds
Cold winters and warm summers
40 of rain annually
trees have broad leaves yet lose these in the
winter when they become dormant
larger mammals, migratory birds, insects, a
few reptiles and amphibians
Cold winters and hot summers
10-30 of rain annually
grasses dominate, trees are found along the
edge of waterways
grazing mammals, birds, insects; known as our
breadbasket
Very hot and very cold
10 of rain annually
plants have spines instead of leaves to
reduce water loss
many plants store water in fleshy stems or
roots
small mammals, birds, reptiles
On average, warm temperatures
20-60 of rain annually
rainy vs. dry season
mainly grassland with clumps of trees
lots of large, grazing mammals, birds,
insects, and reptiles
Warm temperatures
80 of rain annually
trees have broad leaves and epiphytes
forest floor is dark because of dense tree
cover and soil contains few nutrients
huge diversity of all animals
Cover about 70% of the earths surface
Distribute solar heat in their currents
Part of the global water cycle
Help regulate the earths climate
Cycle nutrients as currents and tides move
water from place to place
Partially enclosed bodies of water
Saltwater (from tides) and freshwater (from
surface runoff) mix to form brackish water
Shallow and warm
Seagrasses provide food and habitat for
fisheries and birds
Salt marshes are located where land meets the
sea
Saltwater and freshwater mix to make brackish
water
Land is covered with saltwater most of the
year
Emergent grasses provide food and habitat for
fisheries and birds
Found along tropical coasts
Salt-tolerant trees provide food and habitat
for fisheries and waterfowl
Found in shallow, clear, tropical waters
Provide food and habitat for fisheries
Help protect the coastline
Remove carbon dioxide from the air
Oligotrophic - deep, steep banks, crystal
clear water
Eutrophic - shallow, gentle banks, murky
water, lots of algae present
Headwaters merge to form tributaries which merge
to form streams which merge to form rivers
Headwaters contain clear, cold, oxygenated
water which gets murkier, warmer, and depleted of oxygen as the streams merge
Include marshes, swamps, floodplains, and
bogs
May be covered with water only part of the
year
Provide food and habitat for fish and birds
Filter, dilute, and degrade toxins, excess
nutrients, sediments, and other pollutants