Ecology & NC Biomes

Ecology The relationships between organisms and other organisms, as well as organisms and their physical surroundings.

Ecology is study of interactions between Non-living parts of the environment… water sunlight rocks & soil nutrients temperature atmospheric gases and…

Living components in the environment… plants animals bacteria.

Ecology… views ecosystems as an integrated whole of interdependent parts that function as a unit. Bald Eagle Wetland

NC Biomes North Carolina is the most ecologically unique state in the southeast. Its borders contain sub-tropical, temperate, and coniferous habitats.

Coastal Plain The low, flat land of NC's Coastal Plain stretches from the sandy farmland to the state's Outer Banks. Flora - Oak, Maple, and Pine trees, Cattails, Sawgrass, Sedge grasses. Fauna – Yes.

Tidewater This is the land along the coast of NC close to sea level. All the beaches of NC are here. The major rivers from the Piedmont area empty into sounds or the Atlantic Ocean. Flora – Swamp Oak, Swamp Rose, Sweet Gum. Fauna – Bears, Blue Gills, Beavers, Egrets

Piedmont The rolling “foothills” range in elevation from 300 feet in the east to 1,500 feet near the mountains. Flora – Oak, Maple, and Pine trees, Dogwoods, Huckle berry bushes Fauna – Deer, Bobcats, Cardinals, Snakes

Mountains Western NC features the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains. The region is home to Mount Mitchell, which rises 6,684 feet above sea level. Flora – Oak, Maple, Beech, and Pine trees, Azaleas, Buckeyes, and Rhododendrons Fauna – Black bears, Bobcats, Hawks, Timber Rattlesnakes, Cricket Frogs