ecosystems and biomes energy flow in ecosystems cycles of matter biogeography biomes aquatic...

Ecosystems and Biomes

Energy Flow in Ecosystems

Cycles of Matter

Biogeography

Biomes

Aquatic Ecosystems

Table of Contents


Food Chains and Food WebsThe movement of energy though an ecosystem can be shown in diagrams called food chains and food webs.

- Energy Flow in Ecosystems


Building VocabularyA definition states the meaning of a word or phrase by telling about its most important feature or function. After you read the section, reread the paragraphs that contain definitions of Key Terms. Use all the information you have learned to write a definition of each Key Term in your own words.


Key Terms: Examples:

food chainconsumerherbivoreomnivorecarnivorescavenger

In a food chain, a consumer could be an herbivore, an omnivore, or a carnivore, including a scavenger.

decomposer Decomposers are nature’s recyclers.

Key Terms: Examples:

energy pyramidfood webproducers

An energy pyramid shows how much energy moves from one level to another in a food web, beginning with the producers.


Consumers

Click the Video button to watch a movie about consumers.



Links on Food Chains and Food Webs

Click the SciLinks button for links onfood chains and food webs.



End of Section:Energy Flow in

Ecosystems


The Water Cycle

- Cycles of Matter

The processes of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation make up the water cycle.


Water Cycle Activity

Click the Active Art button to open a browser window and access Active Art about the water cycle.

- Cycles of Matter


The Carbon and Oxygen CyclesIn ecosystems, the processes by which carbon and oxygen are recycled are linked. Producers, consumers, and decomposers play roles in recycling carbon and oxygen.

- Cycles of Matter


The Nitrogen Cycle

- Cycles of Matter

In the nitrogen cycle, nitrogen moves from the air to the soil, into living things, and back into the air.


SequencingSequence is the order in which a series of events occurs. As you read, make a cycle diagram that shows the water cycle. Write each event of the water cycle in a separate oval.

The Water Cycle

Water evaporates.

Clouds form.

Precipitation falls.

Precipitation runs off or becomes

groundwater.

- Cycles of Matter


End of Section:Cycles of Matter


Continental DriftOne factor that has affected how species are distributed is the motion of Earth’s continents.

- Biogeography


Continental Drift Activity

Click the Active Art button to open a browser window and access Active Art about continental drift.

- Biogeography


Limits to Dispersal

- Biogeography

The typical weather pattern in an area over a long period of time is the area’s climate.


Relating Cause and EffectAs you read, identify three causes of dispersal. Write the information in a graphic organizer like the one below.

Dispersal of species

Wind

Water

Living things, including humans

- Biogeography

Causes

Effect


End of Section:Biogeography


Rain Forest BiomesTemperate rain forests receive a great deal of rain and have moderate temperatures.

- Biomes

Ecosystems and Biomes - Biomes

Rain Forest BiomesTropical rain forests are wet, warm biomes that contain an amazing variety of plants and other organisms.


Desert BiomesA desert is an area that receives less than 25 centimeters of rain per year.


Grassland BiomesA grassland is an area that is populated mostly by grasses and other nonwoody plants.


Deciduous Forest BiomesMany of the trees in the deciduous forest are deciduous trees, which shed their leaves and grow new ones each year. A deciduous forest receives at least 50 centimeters of precipitation each year. Temperatures vary greatly through the year.

- Biomes


Boreal Forest BiomesMost of the trees in the boreal forest are coniferous trees, trees that produce their seeds in cones and have leaves shaped like needles. Winters in the boreal forest are cold and very snowy, but summers are warm and rainy enough to melt all the snow.

- Biomes


TundraThe tundra is an extremely cold and dry biome. Most of the soil in the tundra is permafrost, which is frozen all year.


Mountains and IceSome areas of land are not part of any major biome. These areas include mountain ranges and land that is covered with thick sheets of ice.


Earth’s Biomes Activity

Click the Active Art button to open a browser window and access Active Art about Earth’s biomes.

- Biomes


Biome Climates

An ecologist collected climate data from two locations. The graph shows the monthly average temperatures in the two locations. The total yearly precipitation in Location A is 250 cm. In Location B, the total yearly precipitation is 14 cm.

- Biomes


Biome Climates

Month is plotted on the horizontal axis; temperature is plotted on the vertical axis.

Reading Graphs:

What variable is plotted on the horizontal axis? On the vertical axis?

- Biomes


Biome Climates

Location A temperatures are steady; Location B temperatures fluctuate.

Interpreting Data:

Look over the graph. How would you describe the temperature over the course of a year in Location A? In Location B?

- Biomes


Biome Climates

Location A: tropical rain forestLocation B: desert

Drawing Conclusions:

Given the precipitation and temperature data for these locations, in which biome would you expect each to be located? Explain your answers.

- Biomes


Biome Climates

Answers will vary but should reflect whether local climate is hot or cold, seasonal or steady.

Predicting:

What would you expect a temperature graph for your biome to look like? Draw a temperature graph for the biome in which you live.

- Biomes


Character-istic

Comparing and ContrastingAs you read, compare and contrast the different biomes by completing a table like the one below.

Warm all year

- Biomes

Tropical Rain Forest

TundraTemperate Rain Forest

Desert GrasslandDeciduous Forest

Boreal Forest

Tempera-ture

Precipit-ation

Typical organisms

Cold all year

Cool winters, warm in summer

Usually hot with great daily extremes

Temps vary throughout the year

Warm in summer, cold in winter

Warm to cool in summer, cold in winter

Wet all year Dry all yearRather wet all year

Dry all yearMostly dry with a wet season

Moderate rainfall

Abundant rain and snow

Orangutan Mosses Mule deerGamble’s quail

Grasses Red fox Lynx


Deciduous Forests

Click the Video button to watch a movieabout deciduous forests.

- Biomes


End of Section:Biomes


Marine EcosystemsThe ocean is home to a number of different ecosystems. Factors such as water temperature and the amount of sunlight determine what types of organisms can live in each zone.

- Aquatic Ecosystems


OutliningAs you read, make an outline about the different types of aquatic ecosystems. Use the red headings for the main ideas and the blue headings for the supporting ideas.

Aquatic Ecosystems

I. Freshwater EcosystemsA. Streams and RiversB. Ponds and Lakes

II. Marine EcosystemsA. Intertidal ZoneB. Neritic ZoneC. Open Ocean



Links on Aquatic Ecosystems

Click the SciLinks button for links on aquatic ecosystems.



End of Section:Aquatic

Ecosystems


Graphic Organizer

Bacteria in root nodules fix free

nitrogen into compounds.

Decomposers break down wastes and remains of organisms.

Bacteria release some free

nitrogen back into the air.

Free nitrogen is present in air.

Consumers obtain nitrogen by eating

plants.

Nitrogen Cycle


End of Section:Graphic Organizer

ecosystems and biomes energy flow in ecosystems cycles of matter biogeography biomes aquatic...

Documents

biomes food chains

biomes energy flow

ecosystems key terms

cycles of matter slide

biomes consumers

biogeography slide

biomes links

biomes water cycle activity