ecological levels of organization

Ecological Levels of Ecological Levels of OrganizationOrganization

Foldable (outside):Foldable (outside):

Temperate Deciduous Forest

Taiga/Coniferous Forest

Tropical Rain Forest

Grassland (Savanna)

Desert

Tundra

Water Biomes (Marine, Estuary, Freshwater)

Map of Biomes

Earth’sBiomes

To complete the inside of To complete the inside of your foldable…your foldable…

Use Ch. 20 of your Holt textbook◦Pgs. 526-543

See the next slide for the format to use inside the foldable.

Land (Terrestrial) Biomes – Land (Terrestrial) Biomes – Inside the foldable…Inside the foldable…

Climate: Plants: Animals:

Illustration of biome. Distinguishing characteristics:

(distinguishes it from other biomes)

-Temperature-Precipitation

-Examples-Adaptations

-Examples-Adaptations

Fold

Earth’s BiomesEarth’s BiomesAreas with similar abiotic factors

(soil, water & climate) usually have similar biotic factors (plants & animals).

Climate – average weather pattern in an area over a long period of time.◦Precipitation & temperature

Biome – a group of ecosystems with similar climates & organisms◦Contain related ecosystems

Terrestrial or Land BiomesTerrestrial or Land BiomesTundraTaiga / Coniferous (Boreal) ForestTemperate Deciduous ForestGrasslands (Savanna, Steppe,

Prairie)DesertsTropical Rain ForestTemperate Rain Forest

Forest BiomesForest BiomesOften found in areas that have

mild temperatures and plenty of rain.

3 types (depends on climate):◦Temperate deciduous forests◦Coniferous forests (Taiga)◦Tropical rain forests

Temperate Deciduous Temperate Deciduous ForestsForestsDeciduous – “to fall off” – trees that

shed their leaves to save water during the winter or during the dry season

Have 4 distinct seasons in a year (fall, winter, spring, summer)

Climate:◦ Precipitation – 75 – 125 cm of rain/yr.◦ Average temperature – summer 28˚ C,

winter 6 ˚ CPlants: deciduous trees (oaks, maples);

ferns; mossesAnimals: deer, bears, snakes,

woodpeckers, chipmunks, opossums, mice, skunks

Temperate Deciduous Temperate Deciduous ForestForest

Coniferous ForestsConiferous Forestsaka: TaigaConifers – trees that produce seeds in

cones; needles; aka: evergreen treesClimate:

◦ Precipitation - 35 – 75 cm of rain or snow/yr.◦ Average temperature – summer 14˚ C, winter

-10˚ CPlants: coniferous trees (Douglas fir,

spruce); few large plantsAdaptations: Conifers with thick, waxy

coverings on leaves = keep them from drying out and protect them from cold winter

Animals: squirrels; insects; birds (finches, chickadees, jays); herbivores (porcupines, elk, moose, ); bears; foxes; lynx◦ Migration & hibernation

Taiga/Coniferous ForestTaiga/Coniferous Forest

Tropical Rain ForestsTropical Rain ForestsHave more biological diversity that any

other place on EarthClimate:

◦ Precipitation – 200 – 600 cm of rain/yr.◦ Average temperature – daytime 34˚ C;

nighttime 20˚ C Warmer than temperate rain forests due to

location near the equatorPlants: ferns, orchids, tall trees

Adaptation: low growing plants that don’t need much light

Animals: birds (parrots); insects; snakes; frogs; monkeys; lizards◦ canopy – tree tops

Tropical Rain ForestsTropical Rain Forests

Temperate Rain ForestsTemperate Rain ForestsFound in New Zealand, southern Chile,

& the Pacific Northwest of the U.S.Climate:

◦Precipitation – 200 cm – 400 cm of rainfall/yr.

◦Avg. temperature – 9˚C – 12˚CPlants: trees with needlelike leaves

(Douglas fir, cedar, spruce)Animals: black bear; cougar; bobcat;

northern spotted owl; amphibians

Temperate Rain ForestsTemperate Rain Forests

GrasslandsGrasslandsAlso know as: o Steppes (Asia)o Prairies (N. America)o Savannas (Africa)o Pampas (S. America)

Found on every continent except Antarctica

2 Types:o Temperate Grasslandso Savannas

Temperate GrasslandsTemperate Grasslands◦Climate:

Precipitation – 25 – 75 cm of rain/yr. Average temperature – summer 30˚C; winter

0˚C

◦Plants: grasses; flowering plants; few trees; crops – wheat, rye, barley, corn

◦Animals: small, seed-eating animals (prairie dogs & mice); large grass-eaters (bison); kangaroos; cattle & sheep

SavannasSavannas◦Climate:

Precipitation – 50 - 130 cm rain/yr. Average temperature – dry season 34˚C;

wet season 16˚C

◦Plants: scattered clumps of trees; grasses

◦Animals: large herbivores (elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests)

SavannaSavanna

GrasslandsGrasslands

DesertsDesertsDriest biome on EarthClimate:

◦ Precipitation – less than 25 cm of rain/yr.◦ Avg. temperature – summer 38˚C; winter 7˚C

Temperature shifts from day to night Ex: Gobi desert in Asia – freezing temperatures in the

winterPlants: cacti

◦ Adaptations – grow far apart; shallow roots; store water; waxy-coated leaves

Animals: toads, tortoises, kangaroo rat, scorpions, few large animals; reptiles◦ Adaptations – nocturnal (active at night);

dormant during dry season; store water; big ears

DesertsDeserts

DesertsDeserts

TundraTundraCold, dry region; cold desertClimate:

◦Precipitation – 30 – 50 cm of rain/yr.◦Avg. temperature – summer 12˚C;

winter -26˚C Slow decomposition due to cold

temperatures.

• 2 Types: Polar tundra Alpine tundra

Polar TundrasPolar TundrasFound near the North Pole

◦permafrost – layer of soil that stays frozen all the time; only the surface thaws

◦Plants: shallow-rooted plants (grasses & small shrubs); mosses; lichens; no trees

◦Animals: insects, migratory birds (ducks, geese, shorebirds & songbirds); hawks; owls; arctic hares; musk oxen; wolves; caribou; reindeer

Polar TundraPolar Tundra

Alpine TundraAlpine TundraTop of tall mountains

◦Also has permafrost◦Found above the “tree line”◦Gets plenty of sunlight &

precipitation

Mountains & IceMountains & IceMountains can contain many

different biomes.◦Temperature & precipitation change

with elevationIce

◦Usually fits in with the tundra biome

Mountains

Water Biomes – Inside the Water Biomes – Inside the foldable…foldable…

1. What are three abiotic factors that shape marine ecosystems? Explain each.

1. Describe one abiotic factor that affects freshwater ecosystems.

2. Describe:1. Streams &

Rivers2. Ponds &

Lakes3. Wetlands

1. Marsh2. Swamp

1. Define estuary –2. Why is an

estuary a rich habitat for living things?

Illustration of Marine Biome

(Ocean)

Illustration of Freshwater

Biome (Pond Water)

Illustration of Estuary

Marine BiomesMarine BiomesOceans cover almost ¾ of the

Earth’s surface.Abiotic factors that affect marine

ecosystems:◦Water temperature◦Water depth◦Amount of sunlight that passes into

the water

Marine BiomesMarine BiomesWater temperature

◦Decreases as the depth of the water increases

◦Temperatures at the surface zone vary Latitude Time of year

Marine BiomesMarine BiomesWater temperature

◦Affects the animals that life in marine ecosystems Adaptations to warm or cold water Migration to warmer areas Impacts whether some animals can eat

Marine BiomesMarine BiomesWater depth and sunlight

EstuariesEstuariesAreas where fresh water from

streams and rivers spill into the ocean◦Fresh water + Salt water

Plants and animals must be able to adapt to the changing concentrations of salt.

◦Rich in nutrients Rivers and streams carry silt and

nutrient-rich soil

Freshwater BiomesFreshwater BiomesAn important abiotic factor that

affects freshwater biomes is how quickly water moves.◦Streams & Rivers

Plants line the edges of streams & rivers Fish live in open waters Clams & snails live in mud at the bottom

◦Adaptations to fast moving water Algae & moss are attached to rocks Tadpoles & frogs use suction disks to hold onto

rocks Insects live under rocks

Rivers & StreamsRivers & Streams

Freshwater BiomesFreshwater BiomesPonds & Lakes

◦Water depth and sunlight are important abiotic factors

Ponds & LakesPonds & LakesLittoral zone

◦ Sunlight reaches the bottom Plants and algae can grow here Small animals – frogs, salamanders, turtles, fish, snakes,

snails, insects, clams & worms

Open-water zone◦ Top “layer” of water

As deep as sunlight can reach Bass, lake trout, other fishes Photosynthetic plankton

Deep-water zone◦ No sunlight◦ Catfish, carp, worms, crustaceans, fungi & bacteria

Feed on dead organisms that sink from above

Freshwater BiomesFreshwater BiomesWetlands

◦An area of land that is sometimes underwater or whose soil contains a great deal of moisture

◦Benefits Support many different plants & animals Flood control Replenishing underground water supplies

◦2 types Marshes Swamps

MarshesMarshesTreeless wetland ecosystems

where plants growOften found in shallow areas

along the shores of lakes, ponds, rivers & streams

Plants◦Grasses, reeds & wild rice

Animals◦Muskrats, turtles, frogs, birds

MarshesMarshes

SwampsSwampsWetland ecosystems in which

trees and vines growFound in low-lying areas and

beside slow-moving riversPlants

◦Willows, bald cypresses, oaks, vines, orchids, water lilies

Animals◦Fishes, snakes, birds

SwampsSwamps