Hello and welcome to another episode of Outline-Fest. You can refer to the bottom of this post to
see how the outline was created. Feel
free to use this outline for ideas - just don’t forget to cite correctly. Good day.
Topic:
Environment
Specified
Topic: Biome
Basic
Outline:
I. Introduction
A. Introductory Statement(s):
1. Throughout our natural history both
humans and animals have lived on places that had different kinds of
landscapes. After several thousands of
years, we have learned to adapt to our environments. These environments we live in are called
Biomes.
B.
Thesis: Biomes provide the necessary habitat for certain species of animals and
plants to survive.
C.
Main Ideas:
1. Characteristics
2. Types of Biomes
3. Climates
II. Characteristics
A.
In order to fully understand biomes, we must first know what a biome is.
1. A biome is the most massive organic
component of nature.
2.
It hosts a variety of species of plants and animals that share common traits
and survive in similar environments.
3.
Ecologists use the word ‘biome’ to refer to the characteristics of marine life
areas.
a.
Some examples include the littoral zone which is found in shallow waters, the
benthic zone located on the bottom of the ocean, or the pelagic zone referring
to the open ocean.
B.
Within a biome there are numerous bionetworks or minor groups of plants and
animals living in their physical environment.
C.
The kinds of vegetation that flourishes in a biome are what distinguish the
different types of biomes.
D.
The plants that grow in certain types of biomes require certain climates,
latitudes, and elevations in order to thrive.
1.
For instance, certain plants in a tropical forest could not survive at higher
latitudes because the climate is much colder.
2.
What makes a biome different from an ecosystem is that an ecosystem is
classified based on the physical features of the land such as valleys, canyons,
or riverbanks.
III. Types of Biomes
A.
As discussed earlier, biomes are discerned by their types of thriving
vegetation. In addition, some of the
prevailing vegetation in one biome location can be similar to another biome
location.
1.
For instance, the temperate deciduous forest biome includes many of the
characteristics of the deciduous forest biomes located in Asia, Europe, and
North America.
2.
Biomes that have similar traits are what comprise a biome type. Since deciduous forest biomes are located in
various places, in the last example, they were classified as temperate
deciduous forest biomes.
B.
Some of the most common biome types include the northern coniferous forest,
tundra, desert, savanna, chaparral, grassland, and the tropical
rainforest. Three of these biomes will
be discussed in further detail.
C.
Northern coniferous forest biomes, or the taiga in Russia, are located in
various places across a subarctic band that passes through Alaska, Scandinavia,
Canada, China, and Russia. The climate
in those regions is composed of sustained frigid conditions. Some of the plants that flourish include
conifers (spruce), larch, and fir. Bogs,
also known as muskegs are common all over the area.
D.
Tundra’s are characterized by their plains which are free of trees. These biomes are located above northern
coniferous forests as well as in the Antarctic Peninsula which is located in
the southern hemisphere. Low
temperatures, thick snowfall, rapid winds are quotidian climate conditions in
this region. Due to these extremities,
many plant species grow to a limited height near the soil. Trees have no chance to flourish in these
areas. Some animals that thrive in the
area are wolves, lemmings, and reindeer.
E.
One type of savanna is called the tropical savanna. The climates in these places allow for large
areas of grasslands flourishing with trees.
1.
The biggest and most well-known savanna in the world is the African
savanna. This particular savanna gives
habitat to many giraffes and other large groups of animals.
2.
Other savannas of this type are located in South America, Australia, and India.
IV. Climates
A.
The type of vegetation in a biome depends on the current climate.
B.
Some examples of biome climates include:
1.
Desert Biomes – with the least rainfall compared to any other biome (usually
under 254 millimeters or 10 inches of rain).
This means that temperatures during the daytime reach a maximum level
that no other biome can reach.
2.
Grassland Biomes – that have typical weather with the occasional drought. When drought occurs in these areas, the heat
can rise to a level similar to desert biomes.
3.
Chaparral Biomes – that have a climate similar to both a tropical biome in the
winter and a grassland biome experiencing drought (meaning that in the winters
air is cold and humid, while in the summer the air is warm and arid)
C.
Many animals in a biome have adapted to the conditions to thrive. In pre-historic times, many animal species
became extinct due to unsuccessful adaptation during evolution in these biome
climates.
V. Conclusion
A.
Thesis Restatement: All plant and animal life would not be possible without the
necessary support of biomes to provide natural habitat.
B.
Brief Restatement Evidence and Circumstantial Information:
1.
Within a biome there are numerous bionetworks or minor groups of plants and
animals living in their physical environment.
2.
Some of the most common biome types include the northern coniferous forest,
tundra, desert, savanna, chaparral, grassland, and the tropical rainforest. Three of these biomes have been discussed in
further detail.
3.
Many animals in a biome have adapted to the conditions to thrive. In pre-historic times, many animal species
became extinct due to unsuccessful adaptation during evolution in these biome
climates.
Author’s
Note:
Are you still stuck with a few ideas to write your report or essay on? Would you like to find more information on your project?
Check out some of the works cited sources below for more
information. By the way, there are some
bits of information in my research that were not included in the outline
because they did not fit into a particular category or that some detail were
intentionally omitted while crafting this outline. Feel free to use those if they fit in your
essay; just be sure to cite the source.
Best wishes for your report or essay.
Brainstorm:
-Characteristics of a Biome
-Climate
-Animals it supports
-Effects on Earth
-Current issues relating to Biomes
-Types of Biomes
Research:
+ “the largest geographic biotic unit, a major
community of plants and animals with similar life forms and environmental
conditions” (Characteristics/Definition) - Encyclopædia Britannica
+ “includes various communities and is named for the
dominant type of vegetation, such as grassland or coniferous forest. Several
similar biomes constitute a biome type—for example, the temperate deciduous
forest biome type includes the deciduous forest biomes of Asia, Europe, and
North America” (Types of Biomes) - Encyclopædia Britannica
+ ““Major life zone” is the European phrase for the
North American biome concept.” (Random
Fact) - Encyclopædia Britannica
+ “A
biome is characterized by its plant life, the types of which are determined by
a location’s climatic conditions, latitude, and altitude. For example, northern
coniferous forests exist in subarctic portions of North America and Asia, but
further north, the conditions are simply too harsh and the season too brief for
trees to grow.” (Characteristics) – Encarta Encyclopedia
+ “A biome
is composed of many ecosystems—smaller communities of plants and animals and
their habitats (the physical parts of their environment that affect them).
Whereas the boundaries of a biome are determined by climate, the boundaries of
ecosystems are physical features, such as ridges or riverbanks, that separate
one community from another. The ecosystems of a particular biome tend to have
plants with similar growth forms and animals with similar feeding habits.”
(Characteristics) – Encarta Encyclopedia
+ “Major
terrestrial biomes include tropical rain forest, northern coniferous forest,
tundra, desert, grassland, savanna, and chaparral.” (Types of Biomes) – Encarta
Encyclopedia
+ “Although
not necessarily associated with marine environments, the term biome is
sometimes used by ecologists to describe marine life zones such as the littoral
zone, found in shallow water; the pelagic zone in the open ocean; and the
benthic zone on the ocean floor.” (Terminology/Characteristics/Interesting
Fact) – Encarta Encyclopedia
+ “The
tropical rain forest is the most complex biome in the world. This biome is
found at low elevations in the tropics where it is perpetually warm and wet.
Rain forests are characterized by a dense tree canopy—tree top branches and
leaves that overlap with each other, creating a shaded forest interior. These
canopies may reach up to 50 m (160 ft) high. The thick canopy allows little
sunlight to penetrate, so rain forest floors have sparse ground cover. The
soils are nutrient-poor, and most plants are able to store what few nutrients
they can absorb.” (Types of Biomes/Climate) – Encarta Encyclopedia
+ “The
northern coniferous forest, also known as the taiga in Russia, is found in a
broad subarctic band across Alaska, Canada, Scandinavia, Russia, and China,
where the winters are long and cold. Conifers, such as spruce, larch, and fir,
are the dominant plants, but lichens and mosses are abundant too. Muskegs, or
bogs, occur throughout the region.” (Types of Biomes/Climate) – Encarta Encyclopedia
+ “The
tundra is the treeless plain that lies north of the northern coniferous forests
and on the Antarctic Peninsula in the southern hemisphere. Trees cannot survive
in this biome because of the cold temperatures, high winds, and heavy snowfall,
as well as the permafrost, a layer of permanently frozen subsoil. Plant life
tends to grow low to the ground. In the summer, large numbers of birds migrate
to the tundra to feed on insects. Other animals found in this area include
reindeer, wolves, fox, voles, and lemmings. A similar biome, called the alpine
biome, is found in high mountain areas around the world. Similar harsh
conditions cause vegetation to grow low to the ground in alpine meadows.” (Types
of Biomes/Climate) – Encarta Encyclopedia
+ “Desert biomes are characterized by less than 254
mm (10 in) of annual precipitation and high temperatures. To combat this lack
of moisture, desert plants have developed water-conserving features, such as
leaves that are light-colored, small, thick, or waxy. Animals that live in the
desert are often light-colored, blend in well with their surroundings, and are
usually more active at night to avoid the blazing heat during the day.” (Types
of Biomes/Climate) – Encarta Encyclopedia
+ “Grassland biomes are found on every continent except
Antarctica, accounting for about one quarter of the Earth's land surface.
Typically found on flat or rolling terrain, grasslands tend to occur in the
interior of continents where precipitation is lower. Periodic droughts occur in
most grasslands, accompanied by searing heat that scorches most vegetation in
the area. Grasslands are covered with grasses, sedges, and other low-growing,
perennial plants. Drought, fire, and grazing by herbivores, such as bison and
deer, restrict tree growth. Most grasslands have been extensively cultivated
and are now regions where major crops of wheat, corn, and other grains are
grown.” (Types of Biomes/Climate) – Encarta Encyclopedia
+ “Tropical savannas are expansive grasslands
dotted with trees. The world's largest and best-known savanna is the African
savanna, which covers much of the continent south of the Sahara desert. In the
African savanna, herds of animals graze on the tall grass, and giraffes browse
on the trees. Other tropical savannas are found in South America, India, and
Australia.” (Types of Biomes/Climate) – Encarta Encyclopedia
+ “The chaparral biome is dominated by dense
thickets of mostly small-leafed evergreen shrubs. It is characterized by hot,
dry summers and cool, wet winters. This biome can be found in the foothills of
California and Mediterranean climate regions. Chaparral plants have adapted to
the frequent fires that result from lightning and dry conditions.” (Types of
Biomes/Climate) – Encarta Encyclopedia
+ “In the interest of time and space we will very generally consider the
main aspects of freshwater and saltwater (marine) biomes. The major factor separating the various
freshwater biomes is the speed that the water is moving. Streams must contain
plants that can hold tightly to rocks, and smaller, strong-swimming fish. Fish
in lakes have the luxury of larger size and slower movement, while plants may
have more conventional root systems in soil. Rivers contain life forms in
between, and possibly similar to either streams or lakes depending upon whether
it is a wider slower moving river, or a narrower faster river. Depth of water
is the main consideration for Marine biomes. The Seashore is shallow enough
(and blessed with nutrient-rich runoff form the land) to allow for growth of
plants rooted in the soil. The plants and rocky hiding places may provide for
great animal life diversity. The continental shelf and the deep ocean to a
greater degree, will tend to have mainly floating plants, microorganisms and
fish capable of swimming greater distances and at greater depths.” (Types of
Biomes/Climate) – Encarta Encyclopedia
Works
Cited:
MLA Style: "biome." Encyclopædia Britannica.
Encyclopædia Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite. Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica, 2012.
Clement, Joel P. "Biome."
Microsoft® Student 2008 [DVD]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2007.
Images Cited:
Watts, R. Northern Corniferous Forest.
N.d. Photograph. Encarta, n.p.
Dimijian, Gregory. Game Preserve in Kenya.
N.d. Photograph. Encarta, n.p.
