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Unit 3D - Types of Ecosystems

The document provides an overview of terrestrial and aquatic biomes, detailing their characteristics, locations, climates, vegetation, and animal life. It categorizes terrestrial biomes into seven types: tundra, taiga, temperate forest, temperate grassland, tropical savanna, desert, and tropical rainforest, while also describing freshwater and marine biomes. Each biome is defined by specific environmental conditions that influence the biodiversity and ecological interactions within them.

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22 views33 pages

Unit 3D - Types of Ecosystems

The document provides an overview of terrestrial and aquatic biomes, detailing their characteristics, locations, climates, vegetation, and animal life. It categorizes terrestrial biomes into seven types: tundra, taiga, temperate forest, temperate grassland, tropical savanna, desert, and tropical rainforest, while also describing freshwater and marine biomes. Each biome is defined by specific environmental conditions that influence the biodiversity and ecological interactions within them.

Uploaded by

Nour Khashab
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Ecosystems

ATL Skills:

- Communication Skills
- Information Literacy Skills
Terrestrial Biomes
Terrestrial biomes are primarily defined by their climate, particularly temperature and
precipitation. The climate determines which plant species can thrive in an area, which in turn
influences the types of animal species that can inhabit that environment.
Across the continents, many different terrestrial biomes exist, and their distribution can vary
based on specific characteristics. However, it is widely accepted that terrestrial biomes can
be grouped into seven main categories:
● Tundra
● Taiga
● Temperate forest
● Temperate grassland
● Tropical savanna
● Desert
● Tropical Rainforest
1. Tundra

• Location: A large area around the Arctic Circle, covering over eight
million square kilometers (about 6% of the Earth's land).
• Climate: Very cold temperatures that slow plant growth and the
breakdown of dead plants and animals.
• Other: The ground is frozen (permafrost) and covered by snow for
almost 11 months each year.
• Vegetation: Mosses, lichens, grasses, and small shrubs.
• Animals: Cold-adapted species like musk oxen, Arctic foxes, and polar
bears, along with migratory animals that come to breed, such as
caribou, snowy owls, and snow geese.
Geographical location of Tundra
2. Taiga (or Boreal Forest)

• Location: Found south of the tundra, in North America (Canada, Alaska) and
in Eurasia (Siberia, Scandinavia).
• Climate: Long, cold, snowy winters; short, warm summers.
• Other: Makes up more than 25% of the world's forests.
• Vegetation: Mostly coniferous trees (spruces and firs), with a few deciduous
trees (alders, birches, poplars).
• Animals: Various mammals, from small rodents (squirrels, voles) to large
herbivores (moose, caribou) and carnivores (foxes, lynxes, wolves, bears).
Geographical location of Taiga
3. Temperate Forest

• Location: Mainly found in the Northern Hemisphere.


• Climate: Distinct seasons with regular rainfall or snow; mild, wet winters, and
warm summers.
• Other: The area between the taiga and temperate forest is called a mixed forest,
as it contains both deciduous and coniferous trees; many temperate forests have
been turned into farmland or cities because of their fertile soil.
• Vegetation: Mostly deciduous trees (birches, oaks, poplars, maples, etc.); has
multiple layers of plants, including low-growing herbs and ferns, and taller
shrubs and trees; leaves fall every autumn, creating rich soil.
• Animals: Many herbivorous mammals, insects, and birds.
4. The temperate grassland

• Location: Found in North America, South America, and Eurasia in areas


with mild latitudes.
• Climate: Cold winters and hot summers with some dry periods.
• Soil & Land Use: The soil is rich and recovers quickly after droughts or
fires. Many grasslands have been turned into farms for growing crops or
raising animals.
• Plants: Mostly covered with flowering plants. Trees and bushes are rare
because of low rainfall.
• Animals: Home to large plant-eating animals like bison, antelopes, and deer.
5. Tropical Savanna

• Location: Large semi-dry plains found in the tropical zone, including


Africa, Central America, and Australia.
• Climate: Rainfall varies throughout the year, with a rainy season and a
dry season.
• Plants: Scattered trees and shrubs such as acacias, baobabs, and
eucalyptus.
• Animals: A wide variety of animals, including ostriches, antelopes,
giraffes, lions, and hyenas. Some species migrate to other areas during dry
periods.
6. Desert
• Location:

- Hot deserts are found near the tropics, like the Sahara Desert in Africa and the Great Sandy Desert in Australia.
- Cold deserts are found farther from the tropics, like the Gobi Desert in Asia and the Mojave Desert in the U.S.

• Climate: Very hot during the day and very cold at night and very little rainfall.

• Other: A dry environment with few plants and animals because of poor soil and little water.

• Plants:

- Adapted to survive with little water.


- Grow in scattered areas depending on water, wind, and soil type.
- Have deep roots, small or spiny leaves, and thick stems to store water (e.g., cacti, yuccas).

• Animals:

- Light-colored skin or fur to reflect heat.


- Many are nocturnal (active at night) or live underground to avoid the heat.
- Examples: scorpions, insects, lizards, snakes, running birds, rodents, camels, and antelopes.
7. Tropical Rainforest
• Location: Found near the equator in South America (Amazon Rainforest), Africa, and Southeast Asia.

• Climate:

- Warm temperatures all year (25–30°C).


- Heavy rainfall.

• Other:

- The most diverse ecosystem on Earth, home to more than half of all known species.
- Very high biodiversity, with up to 150 different tree species per square kilometer.

• Plants:

- Trees grow tall to reach sunlight.


- Dense vegetation with vines, orchids, and plants that grow on trees (epiphytes).

• Animals:

- Many insects.
- Reptiles (snakes, lizards).
- Amphibians (frogs).
- Mammals (monkeys, sloths, jaguars, tapirs).
- A great variety of birds (parrots, toucans, hummingbirds).
Aquatic
Biomes
An aquatic biome is a large community of living organisms distributed in bodies of freshwater
(freshwater biomes) or saltwater (marine biomes).

There are two main types of aquatic biomes, classified by salinity:


● Marine biomes: Environments with saltwater, where salinity is above 10 g/L.
● Freshwater biomes: Also called dulcicolous biomes, characterized by a salinity of around
1 g/L.

Each biome hosts specific species adapted to the water's salinity.


Freshwater Biomes

Freshwater Biomes
Freshwater biomes include all flowing, stagnant, and continental waters with a salinity below 1 g/L.

Although they cover less than 1% of Earth's surface, they support high biodiversity and are strongly
influenced by nearby terrestrial biomes.

These biomes include:


● Lakes
● Ponds
● Marshes
● Swamps
● Peat bogs
1. Lakes

Lakes are large bodies of water surrounded by land, influenced by


nearby vegetation and soil. They are divided into zones:
● Littoral zone: Shallow edges with aquatic plants and algae.
● Surface zone: Sunlit, supporting plankton and fish.
● Deep zone: Dark, cold, low in oxygen, home to microorganisms and
decomposers.
2. Wetlands

Wetlands are areas of stagnant water that often serve as a


transition zone between terrestrial and aquatic biomes.
They include ponds, marshes, swamps, and peat bogs. Wetlands
play a crucial ecological role by retaining and filtering water
through their rich vegetation, which includes mosses, algae,
cattails, and thujas.
3.
Watercourses
Watercourses (rivers, streams, and creeks) are defined by their flowing water, with speed
varying based on terrain, weather, and seasons.
● Flora and fauna depend on nutrient levels.
● In calm waters, life is similar to that in lakes.
● In fast-flowing waters, strong currents limit plants and plankton.
● Some fish, like trout and salmon, can swim against the current to reach calmer areas.
Deltas and Estuaries
Deltas and Estuaries
Deltas and estuaries are transition zones between freshwater and marine
biomes, located at river mouths.
Rich in nutrients and sediments, they serve as feeding and breeding grounds
for many freshwater and marine species.

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