BIOMES | zion

In Zion National Park, there are four main biomes. Read about them below.

Desert

Desert biomes make up about 1/5 of the earth's surface. There are four main types of deserts: hot and dry, semiarid, coastal, and cold. Zion National Park is a seimiarid desert. The summers are moderately long and dry and the winter bring some rainfall. The soil ranges from sandy to gravel. It has a low salt concentration since the rain isn't plentiful. Animals in this biome include kangaroo rats, rabbits, skunks, grasshoppers, lizards, snacks, owls and thrashers. Plants have waxy coatings to reflect more energy.

Riparian

Riparian zones are ecosystems that are next to rivers, creeks, streams, or other water sources. They have steep and vertical stream banks. Vegetarian varies greatly based off of location. Riparian zones provide sediment filtering, bank stabilization, water storage, and an important habitat. They're the best for fish because they provide shade, and create a fish habitat with woody debris. As well as organic matter provides food sources and the riparian zone can improve the water quality.

Woodland

This biome has sparse to dense vegetarian of trees and shrubs, usually with evergreen leaves. The summer has little rain, and fires ranging from every 5-20 years. Some common plants found in the woodland are oaks, chamise, pines, and junipers. Some animals are birds and reptiles. They have plenty of sunlight and some shade.

Coniferous Forest

The most common vegetarian are evergreen trees, spruces, hemlocks, pines, and firs. The leaves are small and needle-like and stay green all year. They're able to survive cold temperatures and acidic soil. They have cold, long winters and warm, humid summers. The amount of rain depends on the location.

Resources

Semi-arid Grasslands and Shrublands of the Colorado Plateau. (n.d.). Semi-arid Grasslands and Shrublands of the Colorado Plateau.

Retrieved May 25, 2014, from http://cpluhna.nau.edu/Biota/semi-arid_grasslands.htm

Semiarid - Climate Types for Kids. (n.d.).Semiarid - Climate Types for Kids.

Retrieved May 25, 2014, from https://sites.google.com/site/climatetypes/semiarid

The Sonoran Desert. (n.d.).DaveFolsomNet All About This and That.

Retrieved May 25, 2014, from http://www.davefolsom.net/2012/04/24/the-sonoran-desert/#axzz32hWm06u8

Woodland. (n.d.). Woodland.

Retrieved May 14, 1920, from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Woodland_English_Autumn_Sunlit.JPG

World Biomes - Desert. (n.d.). World Biomes - Desert.

Retrieved May 25, 2014, from http://www.worldbiomes.com/biomes_desert.htm

Zion National Park. (n.d.). Zion National Park.