SPEED LIMIT Academic Raceway Lesson Ecosystems and Biomes

What is an environment? Everything that surrounds and affects an animal, including living and nonliving things.

What is an ecosystem? An ecosystem is the environment, its living and nonliving elements, and how they work together. An ecosystem is the environment, its living and nonliving elements, and how they work together.

Types of ecosystems: Desert Tundra/Alpine Tundra Grassland/Savanna Everglades Desert Tundra/Alpine Tundra Grassland/Savanna Everglades

Characteristics of a Desert Very little rainfall (less than 10 inches/yr) Very hot and dry Animal adapt to heat by being nocturnal, active at night and rest during the day. Very little rainfall (less than 10 inches/yr) Very hot and dry Animal adapt to heat by being nocturnal, active at night and rest during the day.

Tundra/Alpine Tundra Very cold. Home to many types of plants and animals that have adapted to extreme conditions. Very few trees survive, but there are many shrubs, mosses, and lichens. Much of the land has ground that is permafrost, permanently frozen. Very cold. Home to many types of plants and animals that have adapted to extreme conditions. Very few trees survive, but there are many shrubs, mosses, and lichens. Much of the land has ground that is permafrost, permanently frozen.

Characteristics of a Grassland Grassland biomes are large, rolling terrains of grasses, flowers and herbs. Grasslands are found on every continent except Antarctica. Grassland biomes are large, rolling terrains of grasses, flowers and herbs. Grasslands are found on every continent except Antarctica.

Characteristics of Everglades Called a "river of grass" because of its water and the thick sawgrass that grows there. Home to hundreds of different organisms. Over 43 different types of mosquitoes. Mangrove forests help rid water of excess salt. Called a "river of grass" because of its water and the thick sawgrass that grows there. Home to hundreds of different organisms. Over 43 different types of mosquitoes. Mangrove forests help rid water of excess salt.

Vocabulary Adaptation occurs when plants and animals change in order to survive. One way animals can adapt to the changing environment is by hibernating. Plants have thick leaves in the desert to retain water. Adaptation occurs when plants and animals change in order to survive. One way animals can adapt to the changing environment is by hibernating. Plants have thick leaves in the desert to retain water.