Convergent Evolution in Biomes
- Biomes are large groups of ecosystems that share similar abiotic factors, such as climate, precipitation, and temperature, and contain organisms with comparable adaptations.
- Despite being geographically separated, these ecosystems often resemble each other due to their shared environmental challenges.
- Organisms in similar biomes demonstrate convergent evolution, where unrelated species develop similar adaptations to thrive in analogous conditions.
Natural Selection and Solutions
- Organisms face the same environmental pressures and evolve similar traits as solutions.
Desert plants have evolved adaptations for water conservation and storage.
Cacti vs. Euphorbias
- In the deserts of the Americas, cacti store water in their swollen stems.
- In African deserts, euphorbias show the same adaptations, even though they are not closely related.
- These species can often only be distinguished by their flowers, highlighting convergent evolution.
The swollen stems essentially act as reservoirs.
Key Climatic Characteristics of Major Biomes
Biomes are classified based on their climatic conditions, which shape the adaptations of the organisms living within them.
| Biome | Temperature | Precipitation | Light Intensity | Seasonal Variation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical Forest | High | High | High | Minimal in rainforests |
| Temperate Forest | Medium | High/Medium | Medium | Warm summers, colder winters |
| Taiga | Low | High/Medium | Medium/Low | Short summers; long, cold winters |
| Hot Desert | High | Very Low | High | Minimal variation |
| Grassland | High/Medium | Medium | High/Medium | Variation with a dry season or cold season |
| Tundra | Very Low | Medium/Low | Low | Very short summer; very cold winter |
