ecosystems - eastern local
TRANSCRIPT
ECOSYSTEMS
What is an Ecosystem?
• Ecosystem- a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
• There are many types of ecosystems and they can be small or large in size.
• Example of a large ecosystem- a forest or choral reef.
• Example of a small ecosystem- a puddle by the football field.
Main Types of Ecosystems and Their Subgroups
Terrestrial (Land) Ecosystems
• Forest Ecosystems • Rainforest • Deciduous Forest • Taiga
• Desert Ecosystem
• Grassland Ecosystems • Savanna • Prairie
• Mountain Ecosystem
• Tundra Ecosystem
Aquatic (Water) Ecosystems
• Marine Ecosystem
• Freshwater Ecosystem
What is a Forest Ecosystem?
• Forest ecosystems have a lot of plants. They also have a large number of organisms that live in a small space.
• The density (amount of organisms per square foot) in this ecosystem is very high.
• There are 3 subgroups of forest ecosystems: • Rainforest
• Deciduous Forest
• Taiga
Rainforest Ecosystem
• There are 2 Types of rainforest ecosystems: • Tropical Rainforest
• Temperate Rainforest
Tropical Rainforest Ecosystem • Tropical rainforest is a hot, humid ecosystem near the
equator.
• This ecosystem has heavy rainfall and a wide variety of life.
• Tropical rainforests have 4 layers: • Forest floor
• Understory
• Canopy
• Emergent layer
• Plants and Animals in the tropical rainforest are: • Tree Frogs
• Mice
• Vines
• Monkeys
• Bats
• Toucans
Temperate Rainforest Ecosystem
• This type of rainforest has a lot of rain, fog, and a cool climate.
• Some of the plants and animals that live in this rainforest are: • Evergreen trees
• Mosses
• Ferns
• Cougars
• Bobcats
• Owls
• Reptiles
• Amphibians
Deciduous Forest Ecosystem
• This is a forest ecosystem with 4 distinct seasons and deciduous trees. • These are trees whose leaves change color and fall
off.
• We Live in this type of ecosystem
• Some of the plants and animals that are from this ecosystem are: • Robins • Woodpeckers • Squirrels • Hawks • Deer • Foxes • Bears • Butterflies
Taiga
• The taiga is the coolest forest ecosystem.
• The taiga is not as cold as the tundra and the soil allows for plant growth.
• Here are some of the plants and animals that live in the taiga:
• Pines
• Firs
• Spruces
• Snowshoe Rabbit
Desert Ecosystem • A desert is a sandy, rocky ecosystem,
with little precipitation and little plant life.
• They are normally very dry and hot
• The plants and animals that live there have adaptations to help them survive.
• Here are some plants and animals that are native to the dessert. • Cactus
• Mesquite
• Some lizards
• Kangaroo Rats
• Scorpions
Grassland Ecosystems
• There are 2 Types of Grassland Ecosystems • Savanna
• Prairie
Savanna
• This is the ecosystem where grasses are the main type of plant life
• Fires are common in this ecosystem because the ecosystem is very dry.
• Plants and animals native to this ecosystem are: • Zebra
• Switch Grass
• Giraffe
• Lion
• Crickets
• Snakes
Prairie • This is the ecosystem where grasses are the
main type of plant life
• Fires are common in this ecosystem because the ecosystem is very dry.
• Plants and animals native to this ecosystem are: • Bluestem grass
• Grasshoppers
• Crickets
• Toads
• Worms
• Prairie dogs
• Snakes
• Bison
Mountain Ecosystems • This ecosystem is rocky and has very diverse
types of life.
• Some plants and animals are native to higher altitudes and some lower.
• Animals that life here typically have thick fur coats.
• At low altitudes trees are found, but the landscape gets more treeless the higher the altitude goes.
• Plants and animals native to this ecosystem are: • Mountain Goats
• Evergreen trees
• Jack rabbits
• Small shrubs
Tundra Ecosystem • The tundra is a large, treeless ecosystem where the
ground is frozen all year. • There is a layer of permafrost which is a frozen layer
of soil that keeps trees from growing.
• During the winter, the tundra gets little sunlight and its temperatures can get as low as -94°F
• Some of the plants and animals that live in the tundra are: • Mosses
• Lichens
• Caribou
• Polar Bears
• Musk Ox
• Arctic Hares
• Foxes
Marine Ecosystems • This is a saltwater ecosystem.
• This is the biggest ecosystem, and it covers 71% of the Earth’s surface and contains 97% of the Earth’s water.
• There are many subgroups in this ecosystem where many varieties of life can be found. • Oceanic (the shallower part of the oceans)
• Profundal (deep or bottom water)
• Inter-tidal (between high and low tides)
• Estuaries
• Coral Reefs
• Salt Marshes
• Some of the plants and animals that live in the marine ecosystem are: • Algae
• Coral
• Sharks
• Crabs
• Salt water fish
Freshwater Ecosystem • Covers about 0.8% of the Earth.
• Made from freshwater
• Three basic types: • Lentic- slow moving or still water like pools, lakes,
or ponds. • Lotic- fast-moving water like streams or rivers. • Wetlands- where the soil is covered by water for a
long period of time.
• Some of the plants and animals that live in the marine ecosystem are: • Frogs • Lizards • Water snakes • Leeches • 41% of the world’s fish species.
Why Learn About Ecosystems?
• Life in each ecosystem varies. Each ecosystem has plants and animals that are unique.
• If you add a plant or animal to another ecosystem it can destroy it.
• If one type of animal suddenly disappeared from an ecosystem, it would have devastating effects to the entire ecosystem. • The food web will be completely altered or
destroyed.
• When an organism enters and thrives in an ecosystem where it does not belong, it is called an invasive species. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPeg1tbBt0A