Ecosystems and Biomes

Ecosystems

Ecosystem An ecosystem is a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

Areas formed by plants and animals that have adapted to the environment Washington rain forest

A biome is different from an ecosystem A biome is different from an ecosystem. An ecosystem is the interaction of living and nonliving things in an environment. A biome is a specific geographic area notable for the species living there. A biomecan be made up of many ecosystems.

Main Biomes Desert Tundra Grassland Deciduous Forest Taiga Tropical Rainforest

Desert

Desert Nocturnal animals Can be very hot or very cold Plants have adapted or they didn’t survive

Tundra

Tundra Permafrost – permanently frozen soil just below the surface Very cold Plants have adapted or they didn’t survive

Grasslands

Cool in winter and hot in summer Flat areas of grass Grassland Cool in winter and hot in summer Flat areas of grass

Deciduous Forest

Deciduous Forest Mild climate and adequate rainfall Most trees will lose their leaves in the winter

Taiga

Taiga (Boreal Forest) The largest biome Low temperatures Precipitation is primarily snow

Rainforest

Tropical Rain Forest Typically found near the equator Warm and lots of rain 6 % of the earth, but 40 % of the oxygen

Similar climates, vegetation, or landforms and be divided into formal regions