Revamping the Wiki

Description


Bomes are environments within the game which decide how evolution and population works in a set area. Each biome is geographically, climatically, and otherwise conditionally different in some way from all other biomes. Biomes contain a set amount of slots for organisms, and these slots each have conditions that must be filled. Organism slots in biomes do not have to all be filled for the biome to work. However, each one of these slots, or "niches" can be competed over. Evolving organisms depend on competing for slots.

Niches

Each niche is defined by food source ansd scale. Autotrophs, decomposers, filter feeders, detrivores, herbivores, and carnivores can all have distinct niches within a biome. A niche is described by diet ansd size. The size scale for biomes is as follows:

Tiny= 1-20 cm largest measurement (up to the size of a rat)
Small= 21-100 cm largest measurement (up to the size of a big dog
Midsize=101-300 cm largest measurement (up to the size of an adult male polar bear)
Midlarge= 301-700 cm largest measurement (up to the size of a killer whale)
large= 701-1500 cm largest measurement (up to the size of a T-rex)
huge=1501-4000 cm largest measurement (tops off at larger than blue whales (25m))
gargantuan=4001+ cm largest measurement (the world's talles tree is to 83 meters tall)
The niche for a lion would be: midlarge carnivore.

Rules for Slots
Carnivores cannot inhabit a biome unless there is another animal in that biome. Likewise, an herbivore needs an autotroph or decomposer in that biome before it can live there.
Filter-feeders need only a liquid biome to live, as it is assumed there is enough planktonic or bacterial life for them to live there.
Decomposers must live in a land or seafloor environment.
Omnivores can inhabit an herbivore or carnivore slot, or both at once.
Detrivores must live in a water environment.
Biome Types

There are currently 9 categories of biomes, which are:

*Open Ocean
Open Ocean

All open ocean biomes completed.

Sunlight Zone
occurs: wherever there is open ocean with no bottom within required elevation
resources: saltwater, sunlight
elevation:0-200 m below sea levelT
climate: entirely dependant on latitude higher latitudes=colder, lowe rlat=warmer
topography: required= no topography
biodiversity: 0
autotroph niches: phytoplankton, possibly small to midsize floating plants
heterotroph niches: (all aquatic) tiny herbivores, small filter feeders, midlarge to large filter feeders, tiny carnivores, many small carnivores, midlarge carnivores, midsize carnivores.
other: may share inhabitants with other ocean biomes

Twilight Zone
occurs: wherever there is open ocean with no bottom within required elevation
resources: saltwater, sunlight
elevation:201-1000 m below sea levelT
climate: moderately cold in most areas
topography: required= no topography
biodiversity: 0
autotroph niches: none
heterotroph niches: (all aquatic) tiny to midsize filter feeders, tiny to midlarge carnivores
other: may share inhabitants with other ocean biomes, dependant on a constant marine snow of detrius. High probability of bioluminescence.

Abyss
occurs: wherever there is open ocean with no bottom within required elevation
resources: saltwater, marine snow
elevation:1001- m below sea levelT
climate: very cold in most areas, almost 0 celsius.
topography: required= no topography
biodiversity:0
autotroph niches: none
heterotroph niches: (all aquatic) tiny to midsize filter feeders, tiny to midsize carnivores
other: may share inhabitants with other ocean biomes, dependant on a constant marine snow of detrius. High probability of bioluminescence.

*Ocean with Seafloor
Coral Reef
occurs: in shallow, warm waters with few available nutrients
resources: Sunlight, saltwater
elevation: Usually less than 50m below sea level (in earth-like lighting conditions), no more than 150m below sea level
climate: Tropical
topography: various formations of corals and other sessile organisms.
biodiversity: 3
autotroph niches: Phytoplankton, Algae, and Seaweed are the main ones.
heterotroph niches: All sorts, from the corals themselves to fish to birds to sharks (a more comprehensive list is here)
other: To compensate for nutrient-poor waters, they recycle nutrients much more than in other, more nutrient-rich environments.

Kelp Forest-not necessarily kelp, mind you
occurs: Under the sea, close to shore
resources: cold, nutrient rich water, sunlight
elevation: 20 - 80 feet below sea level (6-25 m)
climate: 50 - 60 F water, (10 - 18 C)
topography: more level than not
biodiversity: 2
autotroph niches: all up to large. It's hard to tell because kelp grows until it reaches the ocean surface, then starts expandiing outwards
heterotroph niches: Carnivores up to midlarge, herbivores up to about midsize, though it's potentially possible to have midlarge ones
other: has sublevels depending on sun: canopy, midlevel and floor. Also, pretty darn hard to disturb, because most storms just make kelp bend or break off pieces, and it can re-anchor itself.

*Tidal Zones
Tidal ForestA
occurs: where land meets ocean (or a large body of water) on a planet with a strongly attractive moon
resources: Saltwater
elevation:dependant on moon's gravity +/- tide height above/below sea level
climate: 10-70 celsius
topography: gently sloped towards ocean
biodiversity: 3
autotroph niches: all except for huge and gargantuan
heterotroph niches: tiny to midsize amphibious carnivore, tiny to midsize amphibious herbivore, tiny to midsize flying carnivore, midsize carnivore (nonamphibious)
other: Has lots of corals, wich provide a very complex ground covering and trap pools of water inside their networks.

Beach
occurs: where land meets ocean on a gentile slope
resources: Saltwater
elevation:0-50 m above sea level
climate: any temperature
topography: gently sloped towards ocean
biodiversity: 1
autotroph niches: tiny to small
heterotroph niches: tiny to small carnivore, tiny to small herbivore, tiny filter feeder
other: Scavengers from other biomes may visit frequently, large animals may use on migration routes

*Forest
Cloud Forest
occurs: In Mountanous areas with high moisture
resources: Primarily dirt, abundant water, and it's own biodiversity
elevation: 500 m to 4000 m above sea level. * Elevation depends on planet average temp - the higher the temperature, the higher the clouds form and the higher the forest.
climate: About 8 to 20 C average temp, wet Atmospheric conditions will be altered by this biome.
topography: Required = one side slopes downwards towards the ocean, one side reaches much higher than the cloud forest to create the rainshadow effect.
biodiversity: 4
autotroph niches: All. (Redwoods are Gargantuan) Also, epiphytes (bromeliads, spanish moss, mistletoe) and "parasitic" plants.
heterotroph niches: up to midsize, herbivorous, carnivorous and omnivorous.
other: Very high soil acidity, top layer comprised almost entirely of moss and peat. High Biomass and Biodiversity, stratified canopy.

Alpine Forest
Occurs: on the sides of mountains
resources: rainfall, snowmelt
elevation: From about 5000 ft to upwards of 10,000. We also need to set a global temperature dependent tree line (altitude at which trees can no longer grow) as well as a tundra line, at which your plant size is reduced basically to lichen.
climate: Temperatures up to about 10 C. Midclimate precip. great temperature variation between day and night
Topography: sloped ground, poor soil
secession stage: 3
auautotroph niches: carnivores and herbivores up to midsize
heterotroph niches:up to huge. Evergreens or similar preferrable.
Other: comes after an Alpine meadow in sucession, unless said meadow is out of it's altitude range. Also, all organizms must be adapted to a thinner atmosphere, meaning less oxygen or whatever your critter breathes. High winds are probable.


Forested Wetlands: Riparian
occurs: Wherever a river spreads out to become a wetland where there is a large percentage of "Trees" or woody-stemmed autotrophs. Also, average slope must approach zero.
resources: Water, bottom muck, sometimes peat
elevation: not necessarily dependent on it - more dependent on temperature.
climate: Temperature above freezing for the growing season: approx. 3/4 of the year. Midclimate
topography: average slope approaches zero. Water currents are present, but slow-moving.
biodiversity: 3
autotroph niches: up to large. (This may be adjusted, but the soil's none too stable, so nothing enormous.)
heterotroph niches: mostly herbivores/carnivores up to small
other: Soil will be variable: sometimes alkaline and sometimes acidic and resource poor. This is linked to the predominant type of trees... I'll think us a simple way out of this one, I promise.

Flooded Forest (May be a Freshwater Biome)
Occurs: In wet forests, due to a flood; may or may not be yearlong.
Resources: Large amounts of water, dependant.
Elevation: Depends on area.
Climate: Is Wet and temperature is dependant on where the forest is.
Topography: Usually flat, with some heavy amounts of water.
Biodiversity: 3
Autotroph Niches: Tiny to Midlarge/LOW large.
Heterotroph Niches: Tiny to Midsize.
Other: Many aquatic niches here, and the level of water is dependant.

Temperate Forest
Occurs: Between tropical and alpine lines, with enough precipitation.
Resources: Good soil, fresh water,
Elevation: Between 50- 2500m above sea level.
Climate: Is warm and moist during hot months, but cold and frozen in the cooler months. Is midclimate/wet
Topography: Usually between flatish with some hills, to outright hillish.
Biodiversity: 3
Autotroph Niches: All up to Gargantuan (Very rarely).
Heterotroph Niches: All up to midsize.
Other:Goes through a drastic temperature change over the year, and many organisms will be driven out because of it.

*Desert
Dune Desert
occurs: very dry areas, usually in the center of a continent
resources: none
elevation: from -100(not below water) to +3000 m
climate: very arid/arid, frequent dust storms
topography: shifting dunes, with occasional rocky outcrops or plateaus
biodiversity: 1
autotroph niches: tiny to small
heterotroph niches: tiny to midsize (very rare) herbivore, tiny to small carnivore
other:organisms must be extremely efficient in their handling of water. Life is driven by the search for water, most animals are "nomadic".

Rocky Desert
Occurs: In areas of very poor soil, and extreme dryness.
Resources: Rocks, almost nothing.
Elevation: Between -100 (land) and 3000m (again)
Climate: Very Arid/Arid, and usually hot.
Topography: Usually relatively flat, with some rocky plateaus and spires adorning the landscape. Soil is VERY rocky.
Biodiversity: 1
Autotroph Niches: Tiny to midsize (Rare).
Heterotroph Niches: Tiny to small (Very Rarely Midsize).
Other: Water is very rare, and is competitively sought after. Also, the rock formations can get pretty amazing and huge.

Cold Barren Desert
Occurs: between 45°-60°\next to an MT range\near the ocean(the MTs seperate the Ocean and biome)
Resouces: will get to that
Elevation: low enough to be overshadowed by the MTs
Climate: cold like the arctic\dry like a desert
Topagraphy: can be any\direction of wind from the ocean
Biodaversity: will get to that
Autotroph niches: will get to that
Heteratroph niches: will get to that
Other: because of unique location, all precipitatin gets dried out due to the MTs and the biome becomes very dry

*Plains
Alpine Meadow?
occurs: on the sides of mountains
resources: rainfall, snowmelt
elevation: Approximately 5000 feet upwards - I will revise this sucker, but it's relative to latitude.
climate: high temperatures are up to 10 C. semiarid. great temperature variation between day and night
topography: sloped ground, poor soil
secession stage: 2
autotroph niches: carnivores and herbivores up to midsize
heterotroph niches:up to midsize. (small trees/shrubs are included.)
other: All organizms must be adapted to a thinner atmosphere, meaning less oxygen or whatever your critter breathes. High winds probable.

Chaparral
Occurs: Where there is rather poor soil, and extreme heat and dryness.
Resources: Again, not much, but there is the craggy and rocky soil.
Elevation: 400 to 5500m above sea level.
Climate: Is cool and moist in the winter, but very hot and dry the rest of the year. Is Semi-arid as an average.
Topography: Contains flat plains, rocky hills, and mountainous slopes.
Biodiversity: 2
Autotroph Niches:Tiny to Midsize.
Heterotroph Niches:Tiny to small/midsize (around deer size rarely).
Other: Organisms are mainly grassland and desert types. Varies seasonally to a greater extent than most deserts.

Scrubland (duplicate?)
Occurs: In areas of poor soil, like a burned-out forest, or an area of little rain.
Resources: Relatively little. It persists on poor soil and rocky terrain.
Elevation: Between -100 (land) and 3000m above sea-level.
Climate: Arid/Semi-Arid. Relatively hot.
Topography: Usually flat, sometimes some slight hills rise out of the shrubby ground.
Biodiversity: 2
Autotroph Niches: Tiny to midsize.
Heterotroph Niches:Tiny to small/midsize (around goat size.)
Other: The main plants are the equivalence to shrubs, due to the poor soil and lack of rain. The ecosystem revolves around these, as they are the only autotrophs able to thrive in these conditions.

Steppe
occurs: On land where following conditions are met.
resources: Loose soil, very little water.
elevation: Most any, but usually significantly above sea level.
climate: 313.15 Kelvin to 233.15 Kelvin
topography: Flat, occasional small hills, but most just flat.
biodiversity: 1
secession stage: 2
autotroph niches: Tiny to Midsize grasses.
heterotroph niches: Tiny to Midsize herbavores. Tiny to Small carnivores. Tiny to small detritivores. 1-2 Tiny to midsize transient herbavores. 0-1 midlarge transient herbavores. 0-1 Small transient carnivore.
other: Percipitation is 20-50 cm per year.


*Barren
Fallout Zone
Occurs: anywhere following a major nuclear event
Resouces: none
Elevation: any
Climate: any
Topagraphy: any
Biodaversity: 0
Autotroph niches: 0
Heteratroph niches: 0
Other: nothing can live here but the heartiest of tiny creatures. the radiation will poison anything else. this land will recover in time, but until then it is a graveyard.

*Caves and freshwater biomes can pop up inside other biomes
T levels of ocean change with sunlight intensity on the surface.

Biomes tagged with A are not found on earth.


Biome categories vary in:

-Humidity
-Topography
-Autotrophs
-Heterotrophs