• Climate is a major determinant of plant growth and distribution
• Climate determines the plant growth form best suited for a particular area

• Kudzo introduced to the U.S. and has thrived
• European Starlings introduced to the US and thrived

• deserts make up 33% of Earth's land area
• precipitation generally less than 25cm/10in per year; scattered
• temperature: vary with latitude
• evapotranspiration exceeds precipitation

• every drop of H₂O counts
• CAM Photosynthesis

• extensive shallow roots obtain H₂O from well beyond the cacti shoot
• fleshy stems expand to store large quantities of H₂O
• spines and thorns protect the H₂O

• long tap roots aquire water from deep underground (>30ft)
• small, waxy leaves may have aromatic oils to deter herbivory

• many annual seeds are covered with soluble germination inhibitor
• after a big rain the derert "blooms"
• many plants complete life cycle in weeks
• deserts have the lowewst NPP

• beat the beat
• avio heat (crepsular, noctornal, fossorial, and dusk)
• small body size, long apendages and light color
• other water conservation measures

• rapidly growing arge cities (Palm Springs, Pheonix, and Las Legas)
• depletion of underground aquifers
• salinization of soils
• mining disruption and pollution
• toxic and radioactive waste dumps

• enough precipitation to allow grasses to grow, bt not enough  for trees
• temperatures vary across latitudes

• make up about 10% of Earth's land area
• high average temperatures with a prolonged dry season

• grasses with scattered trees
• common grasses:bermuda and napier
• C₄ Photosyynthesis that are adapted to regular disturbance by fire (prevents extensice tree growth)

• Common trees: acacia, baobab, and candelabra
• adaptations: tap roots to reach deep water tables
• thick bark to resist ire
• trunks that store water
• leaves will drop during the winter to conserve water
• Savannas NPP highest og all grasslands (700)

• home to the greatest diversity of hoofed (ungalate) mammals
• the grazing food chain is more important in this system
• consequently, carnivores are more important as well

• Desertifictation_ the productivity o savannahs decreases by 10% ; not readily reversible
• promoting factors include: deforestation, overgrazing, soil compaction, irrigation, and surface mining

• tundra= grasslss plain
• make up <5% of the Earth's land area
• bitterly cold most of the year, most precipitation is snow

• a defining characteristic
• a prmanently fozen layer which thaws at the top in the "summer"
• maximun depth soil thaws over permafrost average about 55cm (21.7in)
• thawing allows for root and nutrient growth
• the vegetation insulates the permafrost during the summer

• low plant diversity
• lowest NPP of all grasslands
• common plants:grasses, lichens, mosses, sedges, and shrubs
• short season of growh and production
• surface, wet and spongy, most of the energy and nutrients in the form of dead organic matter, plants have adpated organic Nitrogen sources, during the summer 24 hour photosynthesis

• Restricted in diversity and  form
• Adaptations: 
• Large, compact bodies
• thick insulation with fat and pelage or plumage
• pelage or plumage turn white in the winter and brown in the summer

• also called pampas(South America), steppes (Europe and Asia) and veldt( Africa)
• make up about 6% of Earths land mass
• winters are bitterly cold; summers are hot and dry
• winds lead to rapid evaporation

• Dominated my various grass species
• rainfall amount determines height of vegetation (more precip=taller grass)
• many herbacious species are common as well
• seasonal drought and fires prevent tree growth
• regular buring alters NPP allocation patterns( plants allocate more growth underground away from fire)
• reletively low NPP(500), dont forget about the belowground

Prairie Plants

Necromass

• important component of the ecosystem
• decomposes slowly and immobilizes nutrients
• serves as fuel for fire

• moderate species diversity
• fossorial animals are common (prairie dog)
• a few large grazers that have difestive systems adapted for grasses (bison)

• agriculture

• Climate
• moderate to high precipitation
• temperature varies with latitude

• 7% of Earths land area
• high average precipitation and temperature

• Incredible biodiversity 
• 100 to 300 differnt tree species may occur in a single hecta acre area 
• Evergreen broadleaf tree 
• Flowers may form on trunks 
• Large fleshy fruits 
• trees typically have buttresses and extensive surface roots 
• Extensive diversity of other plant type as well as trees  (houseplants and epiphytes)

Most tropical rain forest plants produce chemicals with valuable medicinal properties 

About 25 % ofprescription drugs are based on these compounds 

Plant based drugs currently have a $1.2 billion annual economic value 

Home to be greatest diversity of species in the world 

about 1/2 of the world's species live in the rain forest many of which have not yet been identified and named 

Slash and burn clearing 

Most of the nutrients are in the vegetation and not in the soil 

When the vegetation is removed only nutrient poor soil remains 

Make up eight % of earth land area 

Winter bitter cold longer dry summer mild wet short and bright 

Dominated by evergreen Coniferous (Needle -like) trees 

Needle leaf reduces water loss and cold damage 

Adaptations conical shape help to shed snow 

Evergreen allow for photosynthesis during short favorable summers 

Dark color absorb maximum radiation 

Lowest NPP of all forest types

• Relatively low divertsity due to harsh winters 
• Adaptations: migration hibernation, insulation, snow shoe feet, camouflage, long leg to keep the core body of above the for snow 

Cutting 

These forests store lots of carbon in wood and organic matter 

After cutting, the carbon storage drastically altered 

8% of Earths Land area

Moderate precipitation and temperature

distinct seasonality: warm summers, cold winters

dominated by broad leaf deciduous trees

plants lose their leaves in winter

intermediate NPP of forest types