ECOSYSTEMS

Alberto Serna Ramírez5º de Primaria

Tema 5

Elements of ecosystems An ecosystem includes all the living things and non living things.

Plants ( flora )

Animals ( fauna )

Other organisms, such as fungi and microorganisms.

Ecosystems

AQUATIC

LAKES, RIVERS,OCEANS

TERRESTRIAL

FORESTS, GRASSLANDS, DESERTS

TERRESTRIAL

The Earth´s terrestrial ecosystems

TUNDRA

GRASSLANDS

TROPICAL RAINFORESTFORESTS

DESERTS

TUNDRATundra is the coldest ecosystem on Earth. It is very dry. It is located in the land areas near the North Pole. Its main characteristic is the absence of trees. There are lichens, mosses and grasses.Fauna typical of tundra are reindeers, caribou, arctic foxes, polar bears and white wolves.

GRASSLANDSGrasslands are flat areas dominated by grasses.Two types- Savannahs in tropical areas.- Temperate Grasslands (colder regions).Grasslands animals are elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions, gazelles and antelopes in savannahs, and bison, prairie dogs, wolves and coyotes in prairies.

TROPICAL RAINFOREST

Forests in tropical areas are warm and wet. Examples of flora and fauna.

Flora Evergreen trees, orchids and ferns.

Fauna Snakes, monkeys, jaguars, insects, and many kinds of birds, such as parrots and toucans.

Coniferous forests: located in cold areas. Flora: evergreen tress, pines and fir tress. Fauna: brown bears, deer, foxes and weasels.

Temperate deciduous forests: are dominated by tress which lose their leaves every winter, such as oak, beech and maple. Fauna: squirrels, rodents and wild boar.

Mediterranean forests : is found near the Mediterranean Sea. Flora: oaks, holm oaks, thyme and rosemary.Fauna: eagles, foxes, lynx, hawks and rodents.

FORESTS

CONIFEROUS FORESTS

TEMPERATE DECIDUOUS FORESTS

MEDITERRANEAN FORESTS

DESERTSDeserts are the driest and hottest places on Earth. Temperatures are very high during the day but very low at night. Plants and animals in deserts have adapted to the dry conditions. Plants: cacti and small bushes.Animals: lizards, snakes, camels and scorpions.

AQUATIC

Aquatic ecosystems

MARINE FRESHWATER

Marine

CORAL REEFS

Of all the marine ecosystems coral reefs are the richest in number of species.

SHORELINEThe shoreline is the place where sea and land meet. Animals and plants which live on rocky have adapted to the strong tides and waves. One examples is the strong muscular food that limpets use to cling to the rocks.

OPEN OCEANThe open ocean contains the largest ecosystem on Earth. Sharks, various types of fish, whales and dolphins are some of the species found in the vast open ocean.

Freshwater

FLOWING WATERRIVERS AND STREAMS

Many animals live in flowing freshwater ecosystem. These include fish, crocodiles, turtles and frogs.

STANDING WATERLAKES AND PONDS

The main differences between lakes and ponds are that ponds are smaller and don´t have waves. Fish, tadpoles and ducks live in lakes and pounds.

WETLANDSWetlands are areas where freshwater covers the soil. Sometimes the ground is covered all year long and, at other times, the water evaporates during the dry season.

ARTIFICIAL

Artificial ecosystems

TERRESTRIAL

AQUATIC URBAN

TERRESTRIALFarmlands were the first man – made ecosystem. Domestic animals ecosystem. Gardens, parks, greenhouses, orchards, zoos and terrariums are other examples of artificial ecosystem.

AQUATIC Aquariums, man – made ponds and fish farms are examples of artificial aquatic ecosystems.

URBAN Urban ecosystem occupy only about 2% of the land. Include cats, dogs, mosquitoes, rats, cockroaches, flies, pigeons, migratory birds such as storks and wild plants such as grasses.