Ecosystems

Composition of an Ecosystem An ecosystem (short for ecological system) is an

ecological community together with its environment, functioning as a unit. Climate Soils Vegetation Wildlife People

All ecosystems are "open" systems in the sense that energy and matter are transferred in and out.

Composition of an Ecosystem A combination of biotic, abiotic, and

cultural factors lead to many different types of ecosystems. Grassland Rainforest Desert Coniferous Forest Deciduous Forest

Composition of an Ecosystem Biotic Factors (living)

Plants Animals Microorganisms

Abiotic Factors (non-living) Air Water Rocks Energy

Cultural Factors People

Composition of an Ecosystem Lined up in a spectrum, a tropical rainforest is

at one end and a desert is at the other end

Rainforest = high temperature + high precipitation Deciduous Forest = warm temperature + high

precip. Coniferous Forest = cool temperature + high

precip. Grasslands = warm temperature + moderate precip. Desert = any temperature + low precip.

Composition of an Ecosystem Climate has the greatest influence on

ecosystems Polar

Mid-Latitude

Sub-Tropical

Tropical

Composition of an Ecosystem

The tundra is a biome of short vegetation growing in climatically stressed environments of the Arctic and Antarctic and on mountaintops.

The boreal coniferous forest (or taiga) is extensive in northern regions of Canada, Alaska, and Eurasia.

The temperate deciduous forest contains various species of angiosperm trees, which drop their leaves in the autumn, plus some species of coniferous trees. This forest type is widespread south of the boreal forest.

Temperate grasslands are widespread in the dry interior of North America and other continents, and are dominated by species of grasses and other herbaceous plants.

Desert is a very sparsely vegetated biome of extremely dry environments.

tropical forests occur in warm regions where rainfall is abundant throughout the year.

This was the only photograph that wasn’t taken in Canada!

There are also several types of localized ecosystems that may not appear to fit with their surrounding dominant ecosystem. Wetlands

Swamp Marsh Bog Fen

Caves Mountains Mountains can have many different ecosystems from

the base to the summit

A swamp is a forested wetland.

A marsh is a relatively fertile wetland dominated by taller herbaceous plants, such as bulrush and cattail.

A bog or muskeg is a standing body of water with no underground spring. A form of moss grows and forms a thick mat of floating plants. These plants, over time, can fill in the pond or small lake with peat that will eventually be firm enough to support trees.

In fens, groundwater comes from glaciers that have melted, sitting upon layers of soil that are not permeable; thus keeping the water from sinking beneath the surface.

Survival of the Fittest Fragility and resiliency of ecosystems

Survival of a species within an ecosystem genetic characteristics availability of habitat population size

Our Local Ecosystem Climate

temperature precipitation

Watershed Lake Huron, St. Clair River, Perch Creek, Cow Creek, Talfourd

Creek, Bear Creek, Sydenham River, Hickory Creek, Ausable River Plants

Remnant Forests, crops, urban parks, yards, Oak Savannah Animals

Deer, coyotes, raccoons, fox, opossum, amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish….

The Great LakesThe Great Lakes

TheTheSouthern Southern OntarioOntarioBioregionBioregion

Lake Erie

Lake Ontario

LakeHuron

Sarnia

Toronto

1800 1983 70% of Lambton

county was covered by forest

30% by wetlands

85% agriculture <1% wetland 12% forest 3% urban

Lambton County

St. ClairRiver

Lake Huron

Blue Point

SarniaCamlachie

Canatara Beach

The St. ClairCommunity

The NorthernHalf of the St. Clair River

Chemical Valley

Corunna

The SouthernEnd of the St. Clair River

Lake St. Clair

The St. Clair River Delta

LakeHuron

Blue Point

Kettle Point

Pinery Provincial Park