MODULE 1 – LESSON 3

Activity
1. What is a biome?
According to the National Geographic Society website, a biome is a large geographical
area distinguished by its vegetation, soil, climate, and animals. Aquatic, grassland, forest, desert,
and tundra are the five basic types of biomes; however, several of these biomes can be further
subdivided into more specific categories, such as freshwater, marine, savanna, tropical rainforest,
temperate rainforest, and taiga.
2. How do you distinguish between temperate rain forest and tropical rain forest? Between
savanna and desert?
Temperate Rain Forest and Tropical Rain Forest
The main distinction between temperate and tropical rainforests is their geographical
location. Temperate rain forest are found on the northwest coast of North America, southeastern
Australia, and southern South America. While tropical rain forests can be found in Central and
South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Temperate rain forest annual precipitation is high—
over 127 cm (50 in)—and is supplemented by water condensation from strong coastal fogs.
Meanwhile, the Tropical rain forest average annual precipitation ranges between 200 and 450 cm
(80 to 180 in).The climate of the tropical rainforest is hotter than that of the temperate rainforest.
Temperatures range from 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit on average. The humidity levels in the
tropical rainforest biome range from 70% to 90%. Temperatures in the temperate rainforest
climate rarely fall below freezing and rarely rise beyond 80 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer.
Savanna and Desert
Savanna is a type of tropical grassland that contains scattered trees or groups of trees. A
desert is a habitat in which plant development is limited due to a lack of precipitation; deserts
can be found in both temperate and tropical climates.

3. Which environmental factors shape flowing-water ecosystems? standing- water ecosystems?

Water flow rate, salinity, acidity, oxygen, light levels, depth, and temperature are all
factors that influence aquatic habitats. Light levels have an impact on photosynthesizing plants as
well as predation. Animals' oxygen intake and food intake are affected by oxygen content and
water flow rates. Water movement can also be caused by human activity.
4. How do the characteristics of a freshwater wetland differ from those of an estuary? How does
a mangrove swamp differ from a salt marsh?
Freshwater wetland differs from those of an estuary
A wetland is any water habitat that is shallow enough to support emergent vegetation.
This excludes lakes but includes the water's edge around them. The area may or may not be
permanently inundated, but it is, once again, shallow. An estuary is a type of wetland that forms
where a river meets the sea. It maintains a distinct flora comprised of plants that can resist
brackish water, a mixture of saltwater and freshwater. Freshwater wetlands, unlike estuaries, are
not connected to the ocean. They can be found at the edges of streams, lakes, and ponds, as well
as in big shallow holes filled with rainfall. Freshwater wetlands may remain wet all year or
evaporate during the dry season.
Mangrove swamp differ from a salt marsh
Salt marshes grow in estuaries and are dominated by marsh grasses, while mangrove
swamps grow in tropical and subtropical regions and thus are dominated by mangrove trees.

5. What are the four main life zones in the ocean, and how do they differ from one another?
1. Epipelagic - This zone receives sunlight. Because photosynthesis is possible, marine plant life,
as well as the majority of marine life, can be found at this depth.
2. Mesopelagic - This zone receives some light but not enough to support photosynthesis. Many
of the creatures found in this zone, such as the lantern fish, have particular adaptations for living
in low light.
3. Bathypelagic - Giant squid and angler fish can be found at this depth, and whales may dive to
this depth in search of prey.
4. Abyssopelagic - This zone has even fewer creatures. The temperature is near to freezing at this
deep, and the pressure is great. Many creatures emit bioluminescent light.
5. Hadalpelagic - The hadalpelagic zone has deep marine trenches. Animals may survive by
eating the remains of other organisms that have died on the ocean floor. Some can be found
around hydrothermal vents.
Analysis
What is happening in this picture?

1. This picture shows expensive homes built in the chaparral of the Santa Monica Mountains.
Based on what you have learned in this lesson; what environmental problem might threaten these
homes?
2. Sometimes people have removed the chaparral vegetation to prevent fires from damaging their
homes. Where that has occurred, the roots no longer hold the soil in place. What could happen
when the winter rains come?

Answers:
Based on what I've learned in this lesson, I believe the environmental hazard that could
endanger these houses is heavy flooding and landslides, especially during the winter rains.
People have removed the chaparral vegetation to prevent fires from harming their homes; but,
because the roots no longer keep the soil in place, soil erosion may occur, potentially resulting in
landslides or floods.
Application
1. In which biome do you live?
2. Where would you place your biome in the figure below?
3. How would that compare with your placement of the biome in Alaska or the biome in Egypt
and Dubai?

Answer:
The Philippines, is a tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forest biome. Because we
are located above the equator, we are only anticipated to have wet and dry seasons. If I'm going
to put our biome in the triangle, I'm going to put it at the bottom right of the triangle, between the
wet and dry horizontal lines. If I compare it to Alaska, it will be far off because the Artic will be
put in the poles or in the northern region. Meanwhile, Egypt's and Dubai's biomes are
exceedingly hot. According to the diagram above, the Philippines will be put in the center, with
Alaska taking up the highest portion and Egypt and Dubai taking up the bottom left portion.