The main terrestrial ecosystems

Modified from C.Hill10/26/2009

Tundra

• Permafrost, continuously frozen ground

• Large mammals with good insulation that include: musk oxen and caribou

• Smaller animals include: lemmings, arctic fox, and snowy owl.

 

Tundra

•Northernmost limits of plant growth•High altitudes•Little precipitation•Extremely cold winter air temperature•Alaska, Canada, Scandinavia, and Russia

Taiga: Coniferous Forests

• Cone-bearers• Spruce, Pine, Fir, and Hemlock• Harsh winters, short summers• Thin, acidic soil

Taiga: Coniferous Forests

Taiga, the most extensive, stretchs across North America and Eurasia reaching the southern border of the artic tundra.

Deciduous Forests

• Sufficient moisture• Large trees• Oak, Hickory, Beech, and Maple  • Experience each season

Deciduous Forests

• Dominates most of the eastern United States

• Soil rich in inorganic and organic nutrients

• Support speices such as: arthropods, birds, small mammals, bobcats, foxes, black bears, and mountain lions

Mediterranean forest

• Dense, spiny shrubs• Tough evergreen leaves• Mild, rainy winters• Long, hot, dry summers

Mediterranean forest

• Require occasional fires for long-term maintenance

• Plants regenerate quickly• Animal browsers such as: deer,

fruit-eating birds, seed-eating rodents, lizards, and snakes

Deserts

• Sparse rainfall• Rapid evaporation• No perennial vegetation• Scattered shrubs and cacti

Deserts

• Desert plants and animals adapt to drought and extreme temperatures

• Only active during cooler nights• Conserve water and seed-eaters

such as: ants, birds, rodents, lizards, snakes and hawks

Savanna

• Dominated by grasses and scattered trees

• Frequent fires• Rapid growing grass, good food

source

Savanna

• tropics in central South America • central and South Africa; home to

giraffes, zebras, antelopes, baboons, lions, and cheetahs.

Tropical Rain Forest

• Rain is abundant• Poor soil• Large trees• Closed canopy

Tropical Rain Forest

• Found in very humid equatorial areas such as:o Indonesiao Amazon River basin

Say the names of the following ecosystems

BIOME TEMPE-RATURE

RAIN-FALL

VEGE-TATION

TUNDRA

TAIGA

DECIDOUS FOREST

MEDITERRANEAN FOREST

DESERT

SAVANNA

RAIN FOREST

MARINE BIOMES

NERITIC ZONE PELAGIC ZONE

A

PH

OT

IC

E

UP

HO

TIC

MARINE BIOMES

1 2

3

Which beings live in each zone?

Plankton, nekton and benthos are the three groups into which aquatic living beings may be divided.

MARINE BIOMES

1 2

3

Animal or vegetal beings?Planktonic, benthic or nektonic beings?