What is an Ecosystem?

Ecosystems are dynamic interactions between plants, animals, and microorganisms and their environment working together as a functional unit. A small ecosystem can exist in a puddle of water or on the trunk of a tree while a large ecosystem may be a river.

What is a habitat?

A habitat is the place or environment where a plant or animal naturally or normally lives and grows.

What is a niche?

the ecological role of an organism in a community and ecosystem. the factors necessary for the existence of an organism or species Consider a niche to include: a. the organism’s habitat b. the organism’s food source c. the organism’s position in a food web

What is a Biome?

A biome is a large area with similar climate and organisms. A biome will contain many ecosystems.

Biomes Notes What is the difference between a Biome and an Ecosystem? Biosphere Biome Ecosystem Community Population

More terms to know Terrestrial Aquatic Marine

What is fauna? All of the animals found in a given area. The fauna of an area or ecosystem is all the animal species found there.

What is flora? vegetation: all the plant life in a particular region. The species of plants found in a particular area.

Main Terrestrial Biomes Mountains Tundra Desert Chaparral Temperate Grassland Tropical savanna Taiga Temperate forest Tropical rainforest Polar ice

Climate Weather conditions over a longWeather conditions over a long period of time period of time

Latitude and Altitude Affect the Climate Gets colder the higher up you go (altitude) Gets colder the farther north/south of the equator you go (latitude) Most of food on Earth is grown between degrees north and south of the equator.

Temperate - north of the Tropic of Cancer or south of the Tropic of Capricorn, cold winters and hot summers.

Tropical – between the Tropic of Capricorn and the tropic of Cancer with the equator in the middle. Temperatures are warm all year round. Some regions have a wet season and a dry season.

Polar - north of the arctic circle (60° north latitude) and south of the antarctic circle (60° south latitude). Long winters, short summers, and permafrost soil.60° north60° south

Tundra

Arctic tundra can be found in Antarctica and North of the Arctic Circle.Arctic tundra can be found in Antarctica and North of the Arctic Circle. Grass, lichen and herbsGrass, lichen and herbs Permafrost – layer of soil that is always frozen.Permafrost – layer of soil that is always frozen. Very short warm season that is very wetVery short warm season that is very wet Many insects during warm seasonMany insects during warm season Lemming, snowy owl, caribou, arctic fox, harlequin ducksLemming, snowy owl, caribou, arctic fox, harlequin ducks

Taiga Boreal Forest, Coniferous Forest

Taiga The word taiga means, "marshy pine forest" in Russian. one of the most fragile biomes. Spruce and Fir trees Found in Northern Hemisphere. Growing season very short Nearly constant daylight in summer Many lakes and swamps

Fauna include: Black bear, northern lynx, bobcat, grey wolf, bald eagle, wolverine, rodents

What biome is in Northern Virginia?

Temperate Deciduous Forest Deciduous trees, lose their leaves in fall. Soil is fertile, enriched with decaying litter. Fauna include chipmunks, squirrels, deer, black bear, American robin, downy woodpecker, skunks

Prairie (Temperate Grassland)

Temperate Grassland covered with grass, and have rich soil. characterized by their tall, perennial grasses and lack of trees. cover a quarter of the land on Earth.

Fauna include: wolves, prairie dogs, jack rabbits, deer, mice, coyotes, foxes, skunks, badgers, blackbirds, quail, sparrows, hawks, owls, snakes, grasshoppers, leafhoppers, and spiders.

Savanna Found near equator between tropical rain forest and desert biomes Grass, scattered trees, shrubs, many with thorns The fauna in the savanna include gazelles, zebras, rhinoceros, lions Have a wet and dry season Plants and animals most active during wet season.

Chaparral

smallest biome. grows between forest and grassland, or between desert and grassland biomes. grows between forest and grassland, or between desert and grassland biomes. Many plants and trees have leathery leaves, gnarled bark, and intimidating thorns. Often called “scrub”

Fauna includes Jack-rabbit, cactus wren, gray-fox, puma, wild goat

Desert

Gets less than 25 cm of rain each year Driest places on earth Often located on the dry side of mountain ranges

considerable amount of specialized vegetation, as well as specialized vertebrate and invertebrate animals. Plants have spines and needles for leaves in order to conserve water. Soils have little or no organic matter. Dominated by non-mammalian vertebrates, such as reptiles. Mammals are usually small, like the kangaroo mice. Many animals are nocturnal.

Tropical Rainforest over half of the world's plant and animal species live here. All fit into only seven percent of the world's land. Found in: Central Africa, Southeast Asia, Philippines, New Guinea, Central and South America.

Temperature is on average 20-25° C and varies little throughout the year. Precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year, with annual rainfall exceeding 2000 mm. Soil is nutrient-poor and acidic. Decomposition is rapid and soils are subject to heavy leaching. Canopy is multilayered and continuous, allowing little light penetration. Flora is highly diverse. Plants such as orchids, vines (lianas), ferns, mosses, and palms are present. Fauna include numerous birds, bats, small mammals, and insects.

Rainforest Layers: Top – Emergent layer – tallest trees above rest of forest Next – canopy – top of normal trees Lower canopy – epiphytes – plants that grow on tree trunks – not soil - because light is so far from ground. Understory – lowest level, much darker