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

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

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

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

15. 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

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

17. 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

18. 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