World Biomes A group of ecosystems that are related by having a similar type of of vegetation governed by similar climatic conditions Major Terrestrial Biomes Desserts Grasslands and Prairies Tropical Rainforests Temperate rainforests Coniferous forests Tundra

Deserts Very dry; hot days and cold nights; less than 10in of rain per year Thorny bushes and shrubs, cacti – scattered

Grasslands/ Prairies Seasonal rainfall; 10-60in of rain per year; frequent fires; soils rich and deep Grass species – small and tall dependent on rainfall; some bushes and forests

Tropical Rain Forests Non-seasonal; rainfall frequent and heavy; over 95in of rain per year Soils thin and poor Average temp of 28oC (84oF) High diversity of broadleaf evergreens, dense canopy, little understory, vines and epiphytes

Temperate Forests Seasonal; temps below freezing in winter, warmer summers – humid; 30-80 in of rainfall per year; well developed soils Broadleafed deciduous trees; some conifers (pine trees); shrubby undergrowth –ferns, lichens, and mosses

Coniferous forests Seasonal – long cold winters, light precip in winter, heavier in summer Soils acidic, much humus and litter Conifers – spruce, fir, pine, hemlock; some deciduous –birch and maples; poor understory

Tundra Bitter cold – except 8-10wk growing season, precipitation is low, soils thin with permafrost Low-growing sedges, dwarf shrubs, lichens, mosses and grasses

Ecosystem Notes Ecology- the study of Ecosystems Ecosystem- an area where organisms thrive Biome- a group of ecosystems that share the same climatic area. Is determined by type of vegetation and rainfall. Biotic Factor- all living organisms in an environment, humans, plants, animals Abiotic Factor- non-living parts of an environment, ex- rock, soil, sun Habitat- an environment that meets an organism’s needs and functions for survival. Several niches make up a habitat.

Species- a group of organisms that can create offspring. Population- A group of organisms all of the same species living in the same area at the same time. Community- A collection of several populations that inhabit a common area. Population Density- How many individuals occupying a certain area Limiting Factor- anything that would keep something from surviving and reproducing Natural Selection- individuals ability to survive into the next generation due to adaptations or an individual evolving to survive. Niche- job an organism does within the habitat Carrying Capacity- amount of population an area can contain based on resource availability

Food chain – a chain that hierarchy of different living things each of which feeds on the one below; (basically what eats what…) Food web – an interlocking food chain within an ecological community; (what everything eats within an ecosystem)