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Immagini e concetti della biologia Sylvia S. Mader Sylvia S. Mader, Concepts of Biology © Zanichelli editore, 2018

A12 - Living organisms in their environment Sylvia S. Mader, Concepts of Biology © Zanichelli editore, 2018

Biomes Terrestrial ecosystems are characterized by particular climates, mainly affected by the latitude. Sylvia S. Mader, Concepts of Biology © Zanichelli editore, 2018

Major terrestrial ecosystems TUNDRA - Around North Pole Very cold (-12 °C to 6 °C) Little precipitation Permanent ice (permafrost) year-round within a meter of surface Sylvia S. Mader, Concepts of Biology © Zanichelli editore, 2018

Major terrestrial ecosystems TAIGA (Coniferous Forest) - Below Arctic Circle Temperatures below freezing for half the year Moderate precipitation Long nights in winter and long days in summer Sylvia S. Mader, Concepts of Biology © Zanichelli editore, 2018

Major terrestrial ecosystems TEMPERATE DECIDUOUS FOREST - Canada, Northern USA, Europe, Russia Hot summers and cold winters Ample precipitation Sylvia S. Mader, Concepts of Biology © Zanichelli editore, 2018

Major terrestrial ecosystems GRASSLANDS - Russia, Mongolia, USA, South America Hot Summers and cold winters Moderate precipitation Good soil for agriculture Sylvia S. Mader, Concepts of Biology © Zanichelli editore, 2018

Major terrestrial ecosystems SAVANNA - Africa, Australia, South America Warm temperatures (20-25 °C) Hot Summers Moderate precipitation Good soil for grazing Sylvia S. Mader, Concepts of Biology © Zanichelli editore, 2018

Major terrestrial ecosystems DESERTS - Northern and Southern Hemisphere at 30° latitude Very Hot day (35-40 °C) and cold nights (7 °C) Low precipitation Sylvia S. Mader, Concepts of Biology © Zanichelli editore, 2018

Major terrestrial ecosystems TROPICAL RAINFOREST - Equatorial regions of Asia, West Africa and South America Warm (25 °C) Heavy precipitation Sylvia S. Mader, Concepts of Biology © Zanichelli editore, 2018

Aquatic ecosystems Fresh waters always end into seas and are divided by the flow velocity and slope into: 1. Streams 2. Rivers 3. Lakes 4. Deltas or estuaries Sylvia S. Mader, Concepts of Biology © Zanichelli editore, 2018

Aquatic ecosystems Lakes are classified as oligotrophic, if they are nutrient-poor with low productivity, and eutrophic, if they are nutrient-rich with high productivity. Sylvia S. Mader, Concepts of Biology © Zanichelli editore, 2018

Coastal ecosystems Estuaries: areas characterized by high fluctuations in salinity and high concentrations of nutrients. Sylvia S. Mader, Concepts of Biology © Zanichelli editore, 2018

Coastal ecosystems Intertidal zones (or seashore): area between tide marks. Organisms in the intertidal zone are adapted to an extremely changeable environment. Sylvia S. Mader, Concepts of Biology © Zanichelli editore, 2018

Coastal ecosystems Marine waters are classified, considering the bathymetry and sunlight, into euphotic and pelagic. Sylvia S. Mader, Concepts of Biology © Zanichelli editore, 2018

Coastal ecosystems Euphotic zone: exposed to sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis to occur. Is the portion of the ocean where most of the organisms both autotrophs (phytoplankton) and heterotrophs (zooplankton) live. The marine ecosystems with the highest biodiversity (as coral reefs) are located in the euphotic zone Sylvia S. Mader, Concepts of Biology © Zanichelli editore, 2018

Pelagic ecosystems Pelagic zone (open ocean) Not close to the bottom or near to the shore. Sylvia S. Mader, Concepts of Biology © Zanichelli editore, 2018