Major Ecosystems of the World

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Major Ecosystems of the World
Chapter 6
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Earths Major Biomes
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Earths Major Biomes

• Type of biome controlled by temperature and
  precipitation

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Earths Major Biomes

• Tundra

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Earths Major Biomes

• Tundra

• Characterized by
• Very short growing season
• Little precipitation (10-25 cm / yr)
• Permafrost
• Low species diversity

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Earths Major Biomes

• Boreal Forest (Tiaga)

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Earths Major Biomes

• Boreal Forest (Taiga)

• Characterized by
• Short growing season
• Low precipitation (50 cm / yr)
• Dominated by conifers (spruce, fir), but also
  has aspen, birch

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Earths Major Biomes

• Temperate Rain Forest

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Earths Major Biomes

• Temperate Rain Forest

• Characterized by
• Cool high precipitation (127 cm / yr)
• Dominated by evergreens (hemlock, spruce, cedar)
• Heavily logged

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Earths Major Biomes

• Temperate Deciduous Forest

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Earths Major Biomes

• Temperate Deciduous Forest

• Characterized by
• Hot summers, cold winters
• Moderate precipitation (75-150 cm / yr)
• Dominated by oaks, hickory, maple
• Commonly converted to agriculture

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Earths Major Biomes

• Grasslands

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Earths Major Biomes

• Grasslands

• Characterized by
• Hot summers, cold winters
• Low to moderate precipitation (25-75 cm / yr)
• Dominated tallgrass or shortgrass prairies
• Heavily converted to agriculture

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Earths Major Biomes

• Chaparral

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Earths Major Biomes

• Chaparral

• Characterized by
• Dry summers, mild winters
• Frequent fires
• Dominated by short pines, evergreen shrubs, scrub
  oak (but varies worldwide)

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Earths Major Biomes

• Deserts

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Earths Major Biomes

• Deserts

• Characterized by
• Wide daily variations in temperature
• Very dry (lt25 cm precipitation / yr)
• Sparse plant coverage

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Earths Major Biomes

• Savanna

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Earths Major Biomes

• Savanna

• Characterized by
• Precipitation 76-150 cm / yr, but very seasonal
  with extended dry periods
• Dominated by grasses, with occasional trees
• African most famous for herds of wildebeest,
  antelope, zebra

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Earths Major Biomes

• Tropical Rain Forests

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Earths Major Biomes

• Tropical Rain Forests

• Characterized by
• Very high precipitation 200-450 cm / yr
• Very nutrient-poor soil
• Extremely high primary productivity
• Extremely high species richness

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Earths Major Biomes

• Vertical Zonation The Distribution of Vegetation
  on Mountains

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Aquatic Ecosystems

• Fundamental division Freshwater vs. Saltwater
• But, both contain 3 ecological categories of
  organisms

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Aquatic Ecosystems

• Freshwater Ecosystems
• Rivers and Streams

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Aquatic Ecosystems

• Freshwater Ecosystems
• Lakes and Ponds

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Aquatic Ecosystems

• Freshwater Ecosystems
• Lakes and Ponds

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Aquatic Ecosystems

• Freshwater Ecosystems
• Thermal stratification in temperate lakes

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Aquatic Ecosystems

• Freshwater Ecosystems
• Turnover in temperate lakes

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Aquatic Ecosystems

• Freshwater Ecosystems
• Marshes and Swamps

• Highly productive
• Nutrient rich due to slow decomposition
• Remove many pollutants

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Aquatic Ecosystems

• Estuaries Where freshwater and saltwater
  meet.
• Highly variable environment
• (salinity, temperature, light penetration
  rapidly changes).
• Many fishes and shellfish spend larval stages
  here.

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Aquatic Ecosystems

• Estuaries
• Two general types

1) Salt marshes
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Aquatic Ecosystems

• Case-in-Point The Chesapeake Bay

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Aquatic Ecosystems

• Marine Ecosystems

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Aquatic Ecosystems

• Marine Ecosystems
• Intertidal Zone

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Aquatic Ecosystems

• Marine Ecosystems
• Benthic Environment

Photic benthic environments include
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Aquatic Ecosystems

• Marine Ecosystems
• Benthic Environment

Photic benthic environments include
1) Sea grasses 2) Kelp forests
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Aquatic Ecosystems

• Marine Ecosystems
• Benthic Environment

Photic benthic environments include
1) Sea grasses 2) Kelp forests 3) Coral reefs
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Aquatic Ecosystems

• Human Impacts on Coral Reefs
• Sedimentation / siltation
• Pollution
• Overfishing
• Direct disturbance (anchor dragging, divers
  damaging / collecting specimens)

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Aquatic Ecosystems

• Marine Ecosystems
• The Neritic Province

Dominated by floating and swimming
organisms. Such as many large fishes, sea
jellies, various plankton.
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Aquatic Ecosystems

• Marine Ecosystems
• The Oceanic Province

Largest area of ocean Least explored area
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Aquatic Ecosystems

• Human Impacts on the Ocean

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Aquatic Ecosystems

• Human Impacts on the Ocean

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Interaction of Life Zones

• Case-in-Point The Everglades