Utah’s BiomesWetlandsForestsDeserts

ElevationHow does elevation affect:

Temperature

Precipitation

Plants

Animals

Wetla

nd

sa lo

w a

rea w

here

the la

nd

is soake

d w

ith

wate

rWet most of the year because the soil soaks up most of the water and holds it.

Located between dry land and open water .

May not always appear wet because of tall plants or low level water.

A healthy wetland has a good balance of precipitation and dry weather

Wetla

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a lo

w a

rea w

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the la

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Wetlands are ecosystems in which the soil is saturated with water for at least part of the year (during the growing season).

 Wetlands are home for many well-adapted plants and animals.

Wetlands can come in many forms including ponds, swamps, bogs, marshes, lake or river edges, playas, or mudflats.

Water enters a wetland by inflow from tributaries or by precipitation.

Water can leave a wetland by evaporation (which is the part of the water cycle that includes the movement of water to the air from soil, plants, and water surfaces), by the leaking of water into the soil, or by overflow of water around the edges.

 

Three things all wetlands have in common

1. Water

2. Wet soil

3. Water loving plants

Wetlands a Valuable ResourceHelp control flooding

Clean the water

Are rich in natural resources

Are the home for more living things than any other habitat

Wetlands can benefit us:

Wetlands serve as nesting and nursery areas for many kinds of animals.

Wetland plants and animals can act like a filter to break down pollution or to trap sediment.

Wetlands plants can help to moderate temperatures and also to store carbon.

Wetlands can serve as flood control by absorbing water and slowing moving water.

Life in the Wetlands

Large numbers of fish, insects, birds, and other animals live in the wetlands. They depend upon the wetland habitat to supply them with food, shelter and water. Many animals rely on the protection and security of the large number of plants for raising their young. The wetlands are also used by thousands of migrating birds as nesting and resting places.

Fore

stsan a

rea o

f lan

d th

at is co

vere

d in

tre

es

Deciduous forests

Deciduous: plants which lose their leaves in the fall and regrow new leaves in the spring

Coniferous forestsConiferous: evergreen plants that stay green

all year and never lose their leaves

Decid

uous

Fore

sts

In Utah, the deciduous forests are found on the lower slopes mountains

The climate in this area has four distinct seasons. The winter in deciduous forests is cold, the summer is hot, and the fall and spring are mild. The average yearly rainfall measures between 75 and 150 cm (30 to 60 in).

Con

ifero

us Fo

rests

Coniferous forest; a forest which is comprised of trees or shrubs that have cones.

The winter in this forest is very long and cold. Snowfall is very heavy during the winter season. In the spring the ground often becomes soggy and swampy from the snow melt. Summers are cool and pleasant.

Forests a Valuable Resource

Forests help reduce gases that are put into the air from cars and factories

The trees give out large amounts of oxygen that we breathe

Forest help keep our water clean and prevent soil erosion

Dese

rtla

nd

that re

ceiv

es le

ss than

10

in

ches o

f rain

fall a

year

Utah is the second driest state in the United States

Most of Utah’s natural state is desert

What Plants and Animals do you think live in Utah’s Biomes?

Wetlands Deserts Forests