https://padlet.com/peterfiegel/HEnviromental_Biome_Project A Brief but accurate overview. en-us 2020-10-26 18:07:29 UTC 2026-01-02 19:51:56 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f333.png peterfiegel https://padlet.com/peterfiegel/HEnviromental_Biome_Project/wish/869222416 The Tundra is found in high latitudes and polar regions. Tundra conditions are often found in the Arctic and Antarctic circles. They are extremely cold, with little precipitation. Most of the ground stays in permafrost year round preventing the growth of large plants such as trees. However, many types of plants can be found in abundance. These consist of, for the most part, low shrubby vegetation.  Numerous animals also live in the Tundra. Animals that live in the Arctic Tundra include Polar Bears, Caribou, Musk Oxen, and  Arctic Foxes. However, many creatures, including Caribou leave for the winter. Alpine Tundras inhabit animals such as Mountain Goats, Sheep, Marmots, and some insects. Swarms of insects also thrive in the Tundra. Pools of water from melting snows, annually provide ideal habitats these bugs. The typical climate for the Tundra is dry and cold. Very, very cold. The maximum temperature for the year is about 40 degrees fahrenheit. The cold has made all creatures that manage to stay year long to adapt thick fur coats. However, the Tundras are becoming warmer. Tundras are particularly vulnerable to climate change. As the climate warms, the permafrost layer of the soil thaws. The greatest problem is that the permafrost stores lots of carbon which is released when the permafrost melts. This in turn increases climate change. So, let's all help out to protect one of earth's most amazing Biomes. ]]> 2020-10-28 12:02:43 UTC https://padlet.com/peterfiegel/HEnviromental_Biome_Project/wish/869222416 peterfiegel https://padlet.com/peterfiegel/HEnviromental_Biome_Project/wish/869243728 Located west of the Mississippi and east of the Rocky Mountains, Temperate Grasslands, though also treeless, are not as harsh as the Tundra. However, Temperate Grasslands also have cold winters as well as warm summers. The Temperate Grasslands typically have dry and warm conditions from May until September. In the other months the weather is cold with damp conditions. However, temperatures usually don't fall below freezing until mid November, and rise again at the beginning of March. Most creatures that live in the Temperate Grasslands have adapted to eating the long grasses that grow in abundance there. These include American Bison, Prairie Dogs, Pronghorn Antelope, Meadowlarks, and Prairie Chickens. Unfortunately much of these incredible grasslands have been destroyed due to urbanization. Much of the land where the Bison herds once roamed has been turned into farmland. ]]> 2020-10-28 12:12:00 UTC https://padlet.com/peterfiegel/HEnviromental_Biome_Project/wish/869243728 peterfiegel https://padlet.com/peterfiegel/HEnviromental_Biome_Project/wish/869768178 Temperate deciduous forests are found all over the world, including the eastern part of Europe, Japan, China, and Europe. These forests face cold winters and hot summers. Precipitation falls fairly evenly throughout the year, but in the summer falls as rain, and in the winter as snow. These Biomes are characterized by tall broadleaf trees such as oaks, beeches, birches, and maples. Animals include deer, squirrels, chipmunks, and Toads. The broadleaf trees are not adapted to retain water in the dry winter conditions so, the lose their leaves in the winter and regrow them for the humid summer months. Unfortunately the much of these forests have been destroyed to make room for agriculture. ]]> 2020-10-28 14:24:31 UTC https://padlet.com/peterfiegel/HEnviromental_Biome_Project/wish/869768178 peterfiegel https://padlet.com/peterfiegel/HEnviromental_Biome_Project/wish/869943232 Mangrove Estuaries are found along coasts in tropical waters all over the world. They can be found in or next to the intertidal zone. This has required the shrubs that grow in the Mangroves to adapt to survive the harsh waves and salty water that would kill most plants in a few hours. Many animals also live in these biomes. These include Insects, Birds, Reptiles, Crustaceans, Mammals, and Mollusks. In the Mangrove Estuaries there is not much variation in temperature all year and the humidity levels are kept constant by the ocean. However, many of the mangroves have been destroyed by us humans. This is unfortunate because the mangroves help filter toxins out of the water. They also stop coastal erosion. On a more positive note there are efforts underway to help try to replant some of the Mangroves. ]]> 2020-10-28 15:01:52 UTC https://padlet.com/peterfiegel/HEnviromental_Biome_Project/wish/869943232 peterfiegel https://padlet.com/peterfiegel/HEnviromental_Biome_Project/wish/871002213 Freshwater wetlands include Swamps, Marshes, Bogs, and Vernal Pools. These biomes are characterized by shallow water that allows plants to grow, but still covers the ground for most of the year. Freshwater wetlands can be found all over the world. Although they vary in temperature, they are almost always very wet. Vernal Pools dry up in the summer, which makes them extremely important habitats for Amphibians, but all wetlands fill up quickly when once it starts to rain. Sometimes fish live in freshwater wetlands, but never in Vernal Pools, and only sometimes in other types of wetlands. These biomes are also critical to the survival of many insects, birds, and amphibians. They also help filter pollutants out of the water. ]]> 2020-10-28 18:50:32 UTC https://padlet.com/peterfiegel/HEnviromental_Biome_Project/wish/871002213 peterfiegel https://padlet.com/peterfiegel/HEnviromental_Biome_Project/wish/871126778 Coral Reefs are found in coastal ocean waters around the globe. The largest Coral Reef is off the coast of Australia. These biomes cover less than 1% of the Ocean's floor but house 25% of marine creatures. There are an estimated 2 million different species that live in the Coral Reef. Coral Reefs are made up of many Corals are made up of Coral Polyps. These small animals that are made up of sac like bodies topped with mouths and stinging tentacles. The bright colors in the Coral are caused by algae that the Coral Polyps store inside themselves. The biggest thing that threatens the Coral Reefs today is Climate Change. The increased Temperatures and Carbon absorbed by the ocean can cause the Coral to become stressed. When this happens, the Coral releases it's algae. This is a problem because the algae provides the Coral Polyps with their principal food source. ]]> 2020-10-28 19:25:27 UTC https://padlet.com/peterfiegel/HEnviromental_Biome_Project/wish/871126778