The Earth

1
The Earths Ecosystems

• Chapter 4 TCAP Review

2
Biome

• A Biome is a large area characterized by its
  climate ad plants and animals that live there.

3
Land Biomes - Forests

• Temperate Deciduous Forest
• Deciduous means to fall off. This is what the
  leaves in a deciduous forest do every year in
  autumn. They grow new leaves in the spring.
• Tennessee is a deciduous forest biome.

4
Temperate Deciduous Forest

• The Temperate Deciduous Forest has many trees,
  such as the Maple, Elm, Oak, and more. It also
  has a diverse amount of flowers (mostly
  springtime) and animals. The animals include
  Black Bears, Foxes, Squirrels, deer, ect. The
  soil it very rich, so it supports much plant
  life. This is because of decomposition of the
  leaves that fall off during the fall of each
  year.The characteristics of a temperate forest
  are- varied temperatures ranging from -30
  degrees C to 30 degrees C- annual precipitation
  ranging from 75-150cm- fertile enriched soil-
  moderately dense canopy- flora characterized by
  3-4 tree species per square kilometer- fauna
  represents squirrels, rabbits, skunks, birds,
  deer, mountain lion, bobcat, timber wolf, fox,
  and black bear

5
Temperate Deciduous Forest
6
Coniferous Forest

• A coniferous forest is characterized by evergreen
  trees. These trees stay green all year and do
  not lose their leaves.
• Conifer trees produce seed cones.
• Coniferous forest are usually found at higher
  elevations and include the Taiga (Mountain) biome.

7
Coniferous Forest

• The Coniferous Forest is a forest of Conifers.
  Conifer is a tree that produces its seeds in
  cones. The Pine tree is the most common example.
  Conifer leaves conserve water with the thick,
  waxy layer that covers their leaves, also known
  as needles. The vegetation in the Coniferous
  forest is small in size, but large enough to feed
  the vast herbivore population. Most of these
  animals survive the brutal winters by migrating
  or hibernating.
• Average Annual Rainfall- 14-29.5 in.
• Average Temperatures in the Summer- 57.2F
• Average Temperatures in the Winter- 14F
• PLANTS
• Many softwood trees such as fir, pine, spruce,
  and hemlock.
• ANIMALS
• Most animals are herbivores, however some
  carnivores and omnivores are thrown in. Animals
  in Coniferous Forests include the red fox, moose,
  snowshoe hare, great horned owl, and the
  crossbill.

8
Coniferous Forest
9
Tropical Rainforest

• Tropical rainforest have more biological
  diversity than any other place on Earth. 80 of
  all known species live in the tropical
  rainforest.
• It may be diverse but it has very poor soil.
  Most trees grown roots above the ground.
• Some species spend their entire life in the trees.

10
Tropical Rainforest

• Tropical rain forests are characterized by dense
  vegetation, seasonally warm temperatures, and
  abundant rainfall. The animals that dwell here
  depend on trees for housing and food.Tropical
  rain forests are very hot and wet. They can
  average between 6 and 30 feet of precipitation
  per year. The average temperature is fairly
  constant ranging from about 77 to 88 degrees
  Fahrenheit.Tropical rain forests are typically
  located in areas of the world that are near the
  equator.A great variety of plants can be found
  in tropical rain forests. Enormous trees as tall
  as 150 feet tall form an umbrella canopy over the
  forest that blocks out the sunlight for plants in
  the lower canopy and forest floor. Some examples
  of rain forest plants include kapok trees, palm
  trees, strangler fig trees, banana trees, orange
  trees, ferns, and orchids.Tropical rain forests
  are home to the majority of plant and animal
  species in the world. Wildlife in the tropical
  rain forest is very diverse. Animals include a
  variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians
  and insects. Examples are monkeys, gorillas,
  jaguars, anteaters, lemurs, bats, frogs,
  butterflies, and ants. Rain forest creatures
  have characteristics such as bright colors,
  distinctive markings, and grasping appendages.
  These traits help the animals adapt to life in
  the rain forest.

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Tropical Rainforest
12
Tundra

• A tundra biome is so cold that trees do n not
  grow there.
• It has very cold temperatures and very little
  rainfall.
• The soil beneath the surface soil stays frozen
  all of the time. This is called permafrost.
• Plants have very shallow roots.

13
Tundra

• In the arctic tundra there are two seasons
  winter and summer. In the summer, the sun is
  present almost 24 hours a day. This sun however,
  only warms the tundra up to a range of about 3C
  to 12C. In the winter the opposite light
  conditions are present. There are several weeks
  where the sun never rises. This causes the
  temperatures to drop to extremely cold levels.
  The average temperature of the tundra is around
  -28C while extremes can dip to -70C.
• Precipitation levels in the tundra are from 6 to
  10 inches a year.
• On a relative scale, the arctic tundra biome has
  a relatively low biodiversity. There are around
  1700 species of plants that live in this zone.
  There are almost no reptiles or amphibians. There
  are only 48 land mammals that make this habitat
  their home.
• Many animals migrate to the tundra in the summer
  months to take advantage of the lack of
  predators, abundant plants, insects, and fish.
  Snowy Owls breed on the ground in the summer
  months, and prey on voles, lemmings and other
  small rodents. Musk oxen, a smaller cousin of the
  Ox feeds on the grasses in small herds. They
  defend themselves from one of the few predators,
  packs of wolves.

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Tundra
15
Temperate Grassland (Prairie)

• Grassland biomes are large, rolling terrains of
  grasses, flowers and herbs. Latitude, soil and
  local climates for the most part determine what
  kinds of plants grow in a particular grassland. A
  grassland is a region where the average annual
  precipitation is great enough to support grasses,
  and in some areas a few trees.
• There are two different types of grasslands
  tall-grass, which are humid and very wet, and
  short-grass, which are dry, with hotter summers
  and colder winters than the tall-grass prairie.
  In the winter, grassland temperatures can be as
  low as -40 F, and in the summer it can be as
  high 70 F. There are two real seasons a growing
  season and a dormant season. The growing season
  is when there is no frost and plants can grow
  (which lasts from 100 to 175 days). During the
  dormant (not growing) season nothing can grow
  because its too cold.
• In tropical and subtropical grasslands the length
  of the growing season is determined by how long
  the rainy season lasts.

16
Temperate Grassland (Prairie)

• The most common types of plant life on the North
  American prairie are Buffalo Grass, Sunflower,
  Crazy Weed, Asters, Blazing Stars, Coneflowers,
  Goldenrods, Clover, and Wild Indigos.
• Some common animals in the grasslands are
  Coyotes, Eagles, Bobcats, the Gray Wolf, Wild
  Turkey, Fly Catcher, Canadian Geese, Crickets,
  Dung Beetle, Bison, and Prairie Chicken

17
Temperate Grassland (Prairie)
18
Savanna

• There are only a few scattered trees found in the
  savanna biome. There is both a dry and a rainy
  season that occur in the savannah biome. These
  each last for extended periods of time. As a
  result the supply of food can be very high at
  some times of the year. Then they are very low at
  others.
• The plants and animals living in the savanna
  biome have had to adapt to such issues. Many of
  the animals have to migrate around the biome in
  order to find enough food and water for survival
  during these changing seasons. The annual
  rainfall in a savanna biome is 59 inches.

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Savanna

• When it comes to animals there are some very
  small creatures out there. There are quite a few
  invertebrates including beetles, grasshoppers,
  and termites.
• There are also many larger animals that are found
  in the savanna biome. They include lions,
  leopards, deer, elephants, zebra, and the
  kangaroo.
• Wild grass is the biggest type of plant life that
  grows in the savanna biome. It is also one of the
  most important. It provides food for plenty of
  types of animals. Without it, they would starve.
  That would in turn make it very hard for larger
  meat eating animals to survive. That is because
  they hunt down those wild grass eating animals.
• There are various types of trees that will grow
  in particular areas of a savanna biome. They
  include pine trees, palm trees, and acacia trees.
  They can grow in clumps and that offers some
  shade to the various animals that live in this
  type of environment.

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Savanna
21
Desert

• Temperatures exhibit daily extremes because the
  atmosphere contains little humidity to block the
  Sun's rays.Rainfall is usually very low and/or
  concentrated in short bursts between long
  rainless periods. Soils are course-textured,
  shallow, rocky or gravely with good drainage and
  have no subsurface water.Plants are mainly
  ground-hugging shrubs and short woody trees.
  The animals include small nocturnal (active at
  night) carnivores.

22
Desert

• Desert animals dont need to feed very often
  which is why almost all of them are very small.
  They also dont need to find water independently.
  They get the water they need from their sources
  of food.
• A variety of rodents including mice and the shrew
  live in these conditions as well. The desert
  biome is also where you will find the tarantula.
  These spiders are very dangerous and they dont
  seem to mind the harsh conditions either. Medium
  sized animals found living in the desert biome
  include rabbits, rattlesnakes, and porcupines.
• Of course there are larger animals in the desert
  biome as they are able to feed on the small ones.
  Dont be surprised if you find the puma, bobcat
  or dingo around. In various areas of the desert
  biome there are deer living there that they will
  find upon. In certain desert locations you will
  also find camels.
• In order for any plants to survive in the desert
  biome, they have to be able to collect and store
  what water is present. They also have to be able
  to reduce the water evaporating from them. The
  cactus is the number one plant you will find
  living in a desert biome. The design of this
  plant makes it possible for them to hold onto the
  moisture they have.

23
Desert
24
Oceans

• The ocean has four zones and each has its own
  unique characteristics.
• The Intertidal Zone Is the upper level of the
  ocean.Home to sea grasses, periwinkle snails, and
  herons are common in an intertidal mudflat. Sea
  stars and anemones often live on rocky shores,
  while clams, crabs, snails, and conchs are common
  on sandy beaches.

25
Ocean

• The Neritic Zone Although plankton are the major
  producers in this zone, seaweeds are common, too.
  Sea turtles and dolphins live in the neritic
  zone. Other animals, such as corals, sponges, and
  colorful fishes, contribute to this vivid
  seascape.

26
Ocean

• The Oceanic Zone Many unusual animals are
  adapted for the deep ocean. Whales and squids can
  be found in this zone. Also, fishes that glow can
  be found in very deep, dark water.

27
Ocean

• The Benthic Zone Organisms, such as bacteria,
  worms, and sea urchins, thrive on the deep-sea
  floor

28
Coral Reefs

• Most coral reefs are found in warm, shallow areas
  of the neritic zone. The reefs are made up of
  small animals called corals. Corals live in large
  groups. When corals die, they leave their
  skeletons behind. New corals grow on these
  remains. Over time, layers of skeletons build up
  and form a reef. This reef provides a home for
  many marine animals and plants. These organisms
  include algae, brightly colored fishes, sponges,
  sea stars, and sea urchins

29
Estuaries

• An area where fresh water from streams and rivers
  spills into the ocean is called an estuary (ES
  tyoo er ee). In estuaries, the fresh water from
  rivers and the salt water from the ocean are
  always mixing. Therefore, the amount of salt in
  the water is always changing. Plants and animals
  that live in estuaries must be able to survive
  the changing concentrations of salt. The fresh
  water that spills into an estuary is rich in
  nutrients. Because estuaries are so nutrient
  rich, they support large numbers of plankton. The
  plankton, in turn, provide food for many animals.

30
Polar Ice

• The Arctic Ocean and the ocean around Antarctica
  make up another marine ecosystem. These icy
  waters are rich in nutrients, which support large
  numbers of plankton. Many fishes, birds, and
  mammals rely on the plankton for food. Animals,
  such as polar bears and penguins, live on the
  polar ice.

31
Freshwater Ecosystems Stream and River.

• Each stream of water that joins a larger stream
  is called a tributary (TRIB yoo TER ee). As more
  tributaries join a stream, the stream contains
  more water. The stream becomes stronger and
  wider. A very strong, wide stream is called a
  river. Like other ecosystems, freshwater
  ecosystems are characterized by their abiotic
  factors. An important abiotic factor in
  freshwater ecosystems is how quickly water moves.
  Streams and rivers are full of life. Plants line
  the edges of streams and rivers. Fish live in the
  open waters. And clams and snails live in the mud
  at the bottom of a stream or river. Organisms
  that live in fast-moving water have adaptations
  to keep from being washed away. Some producers,
  such as algae and moss, are attached to rocks.
  Consumers, such as tadpoles, use suction disks to
  hold themselves to rocks. Other consumers, such
  as insects, live under rocks.

32
Pond and Lake

• The area of water closest to the edge of a lake
  or pond is called the littoral zone (LIT uh ruhl
  ZOHN). Sunlight reaches the bottom of the
  littoral zone. This sunlight makes it possible
  for algae and plants to grow in the littoral
  zone. Algae grow beneath the surface of the water
  in the littoral zone. Plants that grow near the
  shore include cattails and rushes. Floating leaf
  plants, such as water lilies, grow farther from
  the shore. The plants of the littoral zone are
  home to small animals, such as snails and
  insects. Clams and worms bury themselves in the
  mud. Frogs, salamanders, turtles, fish, and
  snakes also live in this zone. Life Away from
  Shore. The area of a lake or pond that extends
  from the littoral zone across the top of the
  water is called the open-water zone. The
  open-water zone goes as deep as sunlight can
  reach. This zone is home to bass, lake trout, and
  other fishes. Many photosynthetic plankton also
  live in this area. Beneath the open-water zone is
  the deep-water zone, where no sunlight reaches.
  Catfish, carp, worms, crustaceans, fungi, and
  bacteria live here. These organisms often feed on
  dead organisms that sink from above.

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Wetland Ecosystem

• An area of land that is sometimes underwater or
  whose soil contains a great deal of moisture is
  called a wetland. Wetlands support many different
  plants and animals. Wetlands also play an
  important role in flood control. During heavy
  rains or spring snow melt, wetlands soak up large
  amounts of water. The water in wetlands also
  moves deeper into the ground. So, wetlands help
  replenish underground water supplies.

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Marshes

• A treeless wetland ecosystem where plants, such
  as grasses, grow is called a marsh. Freshwater
  marshes are often found in shallow areas along
  the shores of lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams.
  The plants in a marsh vary depending on the depth
  of the water and the location of the marsh.
  Grasses, reeds, bulrushes, and wild rice are
  common marsh plants. Muskrats, turtles, frogs,
  and birds also live in marshes.

35
Swamps

• A wetland ecosystem in which trees and vines grow
  is called a swamp. Most swamps are flooded part
  of the year, depending on rainfall. Willows, bald
  cypresses, and oaks are common swamp trees.
  Vines, such as poison ivy, grow up tree trunks.
  Plants, such as orchids, may hang from tree
  branches. Water lilies and other plants grow in
  standing water. Many fishes, snakes, and birds
  also live in swamps.