Stephanie: Tundra

And now for our last biome:
It's... the tundra! Told you you'd need snow shoes.

There are actually two kinds of tundra: artic and alpine. Both are really cold.

Average winter temperature: -30 degrees F

Average summer temperature 3-12 degrees F

Average precipitation (almost all snow melt): 15 to 25 cm

See I told you it was cold. Surprisingly, there are actually some flora adapated to this frigid weather. These include artic moss and bearberry. Several animals have adapted to the tundra. These include the musk ox, the snowy owl, and eveyone's favorite the polar bear.

The polar is the first species to deemed endangered because of global warming. Global warming poses a massive threat to the tundra. As global warming continues, the tundra loses more of its vital layer of permafrost. Permafrost is permanently frozen soil which occasionally releases water. It is vital to the tundra's ecosystem. The tundra also has unique land formations called pingos. Pingos are mounds formed by water trapped under permafrost. They can become 150 feet high.

The tundra and all its fascinating animals are in grave danger. They are at risk from global warming, air pollution, and oil drilling. Although environmentalists are making every effort to save the tundra, it may be too little too late. So if you want to see the tundra before it disappears, take an adventure trip to Alaska or better yet help on an Earthwatch Institute study. Take really warm clothes and a camera. Perserve the memories. After all, who knows how long these natural wonders will be around.

I hope that this trip around taught you something about the unique ecosystems we have. Maybe it will inspire you to work to protect them.

Sources: http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/tundra.php http://library.thinkquest.org/C0113340/text/impact/impact.tundra.environment.hunted.html
http://library.thinkquest.org/C0113340/main.php?section=biomes&topic=tundra
Pictures: http://gallery.maiman.net/d/9771-2/arctic.png http://www.quantum-conservation.org/EEP/POLAR%20BEAR.jpg http://www.astro.cornell.edu/share/astro671/icyimg/pingo.jpg

Stephanie: Savannah Grasslands

Well, I told you we were going somewhere warm! Now we are in the beautiful savannah grasslands of central Africa. Savannahs can also be found in Australia, India, and South America.
Average temperature range: 68-86 degree F
Average precipitation: 72.6-101.6 cm
There are some oases but no major aquatic ecosystem and there are no major land formations.

Savannah grasslands contain several types of plants like the Umbrella Thorn Acacia and Baobab. Savannahs also contain the highest number of endangered species of any biome. These the elephant, African wild dog, baboon, and lion. All of these have been killed in huge numbers over the years either for profit or simply to protect livestock. Now that they are on the endangered the African government has placed strict hunting restrictions on these animals. They also banned the sale of ivory to reduce elephant poaching. After all who wouldn't want to save these guys?
AWWW!

Savannah grasslands are still being threatened by cattle ranching and development and animals are still being poached. You can do your part to help them by going on ecotourism safari or helping out with a study by the Earthwatch Insitute.

If you go be sure to pack shorts, sandals, sunscreen, and a hat. And definitely bring a camera!

Off to the last biome. Want to know what it is? Here's a hint: bring some snowshoes.

Sources: http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/grasslands.php http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/savanna.htm http://www.ecotourdirectory.com/

Pictures: http://img2.allposters.com/images/NGSPOD/1041749.jpg http://judyrose.files.wordpress.com/2006/09/two-baby-elephants.jpg

Adam Wescott on: Temperate Forest

Temperate forest occurs in North America, Northeastern Asia and western and central Europe. It experiences well-defined springs, summers, autumns and winters. The climate is generally moderate and the growing season ranges from a hundred and forty to two hundred days during four to six months that are free of frost. Temperature varies from -30 Celsius to 30 Celsius depending on the season. Precipitation is distributed fairly evenly throughout the year and ranges from 75 to 150 cm. Examples of aquatic ecosystems include rivers and streams.


Soil in temperate forest is fertile, and is constantly enriched with decaying litter. The tree canopy is moderately dense, but allows light to penetrate, resulting in well-developed and very diverse understory vegetation. Trees in temperate forest are distinguished by broad leaves that fall annually. On average, there are three to four different tree species per square kilometer! Examples of flora include oak, hickory and beech. Examples of fauna include rabbits, deer and mountain lion.


Deforestation is a serious problem in temperate forests. Many companies forbidden from logging in the United States by law often clear forests overseas, chopping down trees to produce furniture, paper and other commodities for humankind. Illegal logging has also increased, and smuggling of illegitimate chopped wood has become somewhat common.


There are plenty of opportunities for recreation in temperate forests. A number of opportunities can be found in the United States, which is home to many national parks and trails where temperate forest grows. The mammoth Appalachian Trail in particular stretches across most of the United States and is wandered by hikers for much of the year.

SOURCES:
http://darwin.bio.uci.edu/~sustain/bio65/lec15/b65lec15.htm
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/forests.php#temperate
PICTURES:
http://lamington.nrsm.uq.edu.au/images/plant/mist_anbeech_large.JPG
http://www.geography.hunter.cuny.edu/~tbw/wc.notes/15.climates.veg/veg.images/temperate.deciduous.forests/temperate_forest.in.winter.jpg
http://www.stockpix.com/image/2924.jpg

Stephanie: Boreal Forest

Hello again from the beautiful boreal forest otherwise known as the taiga. Boreal forests are located in North America and Russia. They mostly evergreens like the Eastern Red Cedar and the Douglas Fir pictured above. You might even use a Douglas Fir as your Christmas tree.

Average temp. in winter (low/high): -65 degrees F/30 degrees

Average temp. in summer (low/high: 30 degrees F/ 70 degreees F

Average Precipitation: 30-84 cm

Boreal Forests contain many animals including several species. The endangreed species are: the Grizzly Bear, the Canadian Lynx, and the Wolverine. All of these were hunted for fur or meat throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. There are now severe hunting restrictions in place to help the species recover.

However the boreal forest is also home to some great conservation successes like the bald eagle.


Boreal forests contain several rivers and lakes which are home to fish like salmon. They contain some interesting land forms. These include permafrost, soil that is permanently frozen, and muskegs. A muskeg is a patch of land which looks solid but when stepped on it has a jello-like consistency.
Boreal Forests have been heavily impacted by logging and pollution , particularly acid rain. If you want to get a glimpse of what is left of the unspoiled wilderness you can take a cruise to Alaska or bike across the Chiloctin range in British Colombia. You will be blown away by the natural beauty. If you go, I suggest packing clothes that be layered. And if going in winter, definitely bring a parka and some hats and gloves.
See you soon. I'll be somewhere warmer next time!

Sources: http://library.thinkquest.org/C0113340/main.php?section=biomes&topic=desert http://www.ecotourdirectory.com/ http://www.bcmag.ca/ http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/taiga.htm http://library.thinkquest.org/C0113340/text/impact/impact.taiga.html

Pictures: http://seanetters.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/bald-eagle-head.jpg http://www.taylortrees.com/images/1Douglas%20Fir.jpg http://www.alaska-in-pictures.com/data/media/2/large-grizzly-bear_4171.jpg

Adam Wescott on: Temperate Grasslands

Temperate grasslands can be found in the veldts of South Africa, the puszta of Hungary, the pampas of Argentina and Uruguay and the plains of North America. The temperature of temperate grasslands is more variable than that of its cousin, savanna grasslands: summer temperatures can be over 38 Celsius while winter temperatures can be as low as -40 Celsius. Precipitation usually occurs in late spring and early summer, and averages about 50.8 to 88.9 cm a year. Examples of aquatic ecosystems include rivers and streams. Temperate grasslands can generally be divided into praries, home to tall grasses, and steppes, home to short grasses.


The dominant vegetation in temperate grasslands are, predictably, grasses. Large trees and shrubs are absent. Taller grasses can be found in wetter regions. Plants that grow in temperate grasslands have deep roots that allow them to survive drought, extreme heat and cold and fire. These factors also prevent trees from invading and becoming established. These roots, combined with the accumulation of dead leaves during the winter, produce extremely rich soil.


Many species are known to inhabit temperate grasslands. The few trees that can be found include cottonwoods, oaks and willows. Flowers are plentiful and include asters, goldenrods and clovers. Fauna includes gazelles, zebras, rhinoceroses and lions, among others. Endangered species include the Asian elephant and the black-footed ferret.


Temperate grasslands have been greatly affected by human activity. Due to the incredible richness of the soil, the majority of prarie regions have been turned into farms and grazing land. Similarly, steppes have been affected by overgrazing, by plowing and by excess salts left behind by irrigation waters. Sometimes soil is made loose enough by plowing that strong winds blow them about, causing dust storms.


There are a multitude of exciting tourism opportunities regarding temperate grasslands. An example: hiking in the high veldt of the Drakkensberg Mountains in South Africa.

SOURCES:
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/grasslands.php
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/biomes/grassland/grassland.shtml
PICTURES:
http://kentsimmons.uwinnipeg.ca/16cm05/1116/50-25d-Chaparral.jpg
http://kentsimmons.uwinnipeg.ca/16cm05/1116/50-25e-TempGrasslands.jpg
http://www.bcgrasslands.org/SiteCM/i/upload/4D1A294E52A6F5A728AEEDF2EB446C4E30152243.jpg
http://open.live.bbc.co.uk/dynamic_images/naturelibrary_626/downloads.bbc.co.uk/earth/naturelibrary/assets/t/te/temperate_grasslands_savannas_and_shrublands/temperate_grasslands_savannas_and_shrublands_1.jpg

Stephanie Radke: Deserts

Alright biomes travellers, I'm Stephanie and I will be your tour guide for 4 of biomes excursions. First up: the Deserts!

Deserts are considered an extreme biome. There are 4 types of deserts: arid, semi-arid, coastal, and cold.

Arid deserts are located at low altitudes in North America, South America, Africa, and Southern Asia. They have an average temperature of anywhere between 20-25 degrees and an average precipitation level between 1.5-28 cm (the level of precipitation dpends on the location of the desert. Arid deserts contain many plants including prickly pears and agaves. They also contain many types of animals including kangroo rats and armadillos. Arid deserts also contain the endangered desert tortoise. The desert tortoise became endangered because of development, increase in disease, and human collectors

Semi-arid deserts are located in North America, Europe, Russia, Northern Asia and Australia. They have a temperature range 0f 21-27 degrees Celsius and a precipitation range of 2-4 cm per year. They contain many plants like mesquite and cat claw and animals including the desert big horn sheep. They also contain the endangered sonoran pronghorn which was hunted nearly extinction in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Along with the endangered species there are also several species which are being monitored. These are: the bobcat, the banded gila monster, and the cactus feriginous pygmy owl.










Coastal deserts are located in areas of South and Central America. They have a temperature of 13-24 degrees Celsius and a precipitation range of 8-13 cm. Coastal deserts contain animals like the great horned owl and plants like rice grass and black sage







Cold Deserts are found in the Antartic and in Greenland. They receive between 15 and 26 cm of rain annually and have a temperature range between -2 and 4 degrees Celsius. They have animals like badgers. They have very limited plant life but they do contain lichen.







The deserts have no aquatic ecosystems but they do have some interesting land formations. These include alluvial fans (piles of rocks at the foot of slopes formed by erosion), zeugens (rocks rounded by the wind), yardangs (overhanging ridges with steep sides), mesas, plateaus, and canyons.







What you pack for your excursion depends very much on what kind of desert you're going to. If you're going to an arid or semi-arid desert, I would suggest packing T-shirts, shorts, sandals, a good hat, sunscreen and plenty of water. If you're going to a coastal desert, you met want to bring jeans and a few sweaters. And if you're going to a cold desert, bring your heaviest parka, hats, mittens, boots/snowshoes, and long underwear.







If you wish to view the spectacular natural beauty of the deserts you can take a cruise to Antartica or hike the Grand Canyon. There are plenty of opportunities for hiking and sightseeing. You might want to visit Arches National to catch a glimpse of the fabulous rock formations before any more collapse.







If you travel to the desert please do not take any wildlife, and please DO NOT use ATVs. Off-roading has damaged the desert landscape and desert tortoises are endangered in part because tourists decided to take one home. Other activities which impact this biome include mining, ranching, and development



Off to jet to the next biome. See you soon!







Sources: http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/world_biomes.htm, http://www.worldbiomes.com/biomes_desert.htm http://www.ecotourdirectory.com/ http://library.thinkquest.org/C0113340/text/biomes/biomes.desert.html http://library.thinkquest.org/C0113340/main.php?section=biomes&topic=desert


Pictures: http://inlinethumb48.webshots.com/44911/2409007110104606292S600x600Q85.jpg http://www.wildlifearchives.com/images/desert-saoudien.jpg

http://animals.timduru.org/dirlist/sheep/DesertBighornSheep_18-Portrait-Closeup.JPG

Adam Wescott on: Tropical Rainforests

Tropical rainforests have the highest diversity of species of all biomes. They occur near the equator, between latitudes 10 degrees N and 10 degrees S below elevations of 3,000 ft. The tree major concentrations of rainforest are Neotropical (the Amazon into Central America), African (Zaire Basin and eastern Madagascar) and Indo-Malaysian (west-coast of India, Assam, Southeast Asia, New Guinea, and Queensland in Australia).


There are only two seasons: rainy and dry. There are about twelve hours of daylight each day. Average temperature is between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius on average, and varies very little throughout the year. Also evenly distributed throughout is rainfall, which exceeds 2000mm annually. The soil is nutrient-poor and acidic; rapid decomposition of matter prevents build-up. Landforms include mountains, hills, flatlands, streams, swamps, and wet grasslands. Rainforests hare home to a wide variety of aquatic life. Perhaps the most famous aquatic body is the Amazon River, which runs through the aptly-named Amazonia. Other aquatic ecosystems include streams and wetlands.


Tropical rainforests are home to an incredibly diverse variety of species. Some examples of plants include orchids, bromeliads and ferns. Examples of animals include toucans, golden tamarinds and the ever-popular vampire bat, pictured below:


Unfortunately, rainforests are now host to a great deal of environmental degradation. Some facts: a half-an-acre of rainforest is lost every second due to deforestation, one hundred and thirty seven animal, plant and insect species are lost every day and the population of tribes native to the Amazon rainforest have declined from about ten million to less than two hundred thousand! With deforestation eating up the world's rainforests, the whole biome could be lost to us in only forty years if harvesting continues at the same rate. Considering that rain forests host many of the world's species, the majority of which humanity hasn't even discovered yet, this is very bad news. For this reason there are many endangered rainforest species, including some of the most charismatic--such as the Golden lion tamarind, whose near-extinction has been driven primarily by the fur trade, and forty species of the toucan, whose numbers are being disrupted by loss of habitat and by the commercial pet trade.


Because rainforests are so unique, a high quantity of ecotours and other options are available. Suggestions for the adventurous and discerning traveler are to visit the rainforests of Madagascar and Costa Rica, both of which are absolutely splendid. While visiting rainforests, remember that travel in the tropics is not always smooth and that showing respect to the environment and to the local people is a necessity to fully appreciate the enormity of the experience.

SOURCES:
http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/rainforest/rainfrst.html
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/rnfrst_animal_page.htm
http://www.rain-tree.com/facts.htm
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/forests.php
PICTURES:
http://mac122.icu.ac.jp/gen-ed/biogeog-jpgs/tropical-rainforest.JPG
http://geographicae.files.wordpress.com/2007/05/tropical-rainforest.jpg
http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/31/96631-004-ED0EA6D0.jpg
http://www.duke.edu/web/nicholas/bio217/jmz28/rainforest-animals-redeyedfrog1.jpg