1. Unit 3 Part 3 Ecosystems of the world

2. Define “climax vegetation” p. 102
Climax vegetation is stable/dominant vegetation
in balance with the climatic AND soil conditions
It should change very little if left undisturbed.
Best suited!!!
Each ecosystem has its own climax vegetation.

3. Example: The “climax vegetation” in boreal / coniferous forest. P. 102
Evergreen trees
Needle like leaves
Thick bark
Conical shape
Dense growing which blocks sun
Coniferous forests

4. Different Climate (Temp. & Precip.)
World Ecosystems
Different Animals
Different Vegetation
Ecosystems
Different Soil
Different Climate (Temp. & Precip.)
Climate Zones
Different Locations

5. Ecosystems
Climate zones

6. Ecosystems AND climatic regions p.104
Ecosystems of the world are largely defined by their climax vegetation.
Examples!!! tropical rain forest, grasslands, boreal forests, cacti, etc.
Climax Vegetation is determined by climate (and soils).
Therefore, ecosystems match-up with climate zones…
Ecosystem zones
Climate zones

7. Altitudinal succession vs. latitudinal succession p. 104

8. Altitudinal succession vs. latitudinal succession
The changes in ecosystems & vegetation that occur as one moves from the equator to the poles

9. Altitudinal succession vs. latitudinal succession
The changes in ecosystems & vegetation that occur as one moves from the base of an tropical mountain to the summit.

10. Altitudinal succession vs. latitudinal succession
The changes in ecosystems & vegetation that occur as one moves from the equator to the poles is very similar to the changes in ecosystems & vegetation seen moving from the base of an tropical mountain to the summit.

11. Different Climate (Temp. & Precip.)
World Ecosystems
Different Animals
ADAPTATIONS
Different Vegetation
Different Soil
Different Climate (Temp. & Precip.)
Different Locations

12. Ecosystems & Adaptation
A specific or unique feature that enables an organism to become better suited to its habitat/environment.
The change in an organism that allows it to live successfully/survive in its environment.

13. Grasses, Shrubs and low plants
Shallow roots
Fast reproduction / flowering cycle
1-3 meters below the surface the ground is completely frozen
growing season is very short, 1-2 months

14. Animals
Sleep right though the cold months under a thick blanket of snow and not freeze.
Move further south to warmer climates to avoid the cold and obtain food.
Some animals have extra fur or fat to help hold in heat so they don’t freeze.
Hibernation (Bears)
Migration (Birds)
Insulating features

15. Animals Camouflage (snowshoe hare, ptarmigan, bear) Feet (ptarmigan)
Feet (snowshoe hare / polar bear)
Hides from prey or protects from predators.
Feet enlarge in the fall for walking on snow
Snow shoe hare develop a covering of hair. Polar bear – bristles.

16. Trees – Conifers (Evergreens)
Needle-like leaves
Thick bark
Conical shape
Less surface area on the leaves means less transpiration (Winter all water is frozen).
The thicker the bark the less water that will escape.
Heavy snow during the winter will fall off reliving the pressure on the branches.

17. Trees – Deciduous
Shed their leaves when winter comes. (Birch, maple, aspen
Since the water is frozen during winter they shed their leaves so no water is lost via transpiration.

18. Grasses Shallow roots Small water requirement
Little rain falls, doesn’t seep far in the ground, roots near the surface will catch all the water.
Little water, they have little need for water, only once in a while. Also small in size, so they don’t need a lot of water. .

20. Analyze world ecosystem map. P. 102
Boreal Forest & tundra are wide spread in high latitudes
Tropical Rain Forests occur in low latitudes
Tropical Rain forest is most predominant in South America.
South America, Africa, Australia and Antarctica do not have tundra.
Coniferous/Boreal forest is our ecosystem