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Ecosystem Coniferous (Boreal) Forest Cold winter Climate Climax Vegetation: Evergreen Trees Location: Only in the Northern hemisphere and is located in a broad band across Northern North America and Northern Eurasia Tundra Tundra Climate Climax Vegetation: Grasses shrubs and low plants Location: Northern Hemisphere, north of the boreal forest across Northern North America and Northern Eurasia Plant Adaptation Polar Ice Caps Polar (Ice Cap) Climate Climax Vegetation: Phytoplankton beneath the ice Location: Extremely High Latitudes in both hemispheres Coniferous tress are well adapted to lack of water in the winter They have needle leaves which reduce surface area for transpiration Drooping branches and a conical shape allow heavy snow to fall off relieving the pressure Shrubs and bushes are adapted to an extremely cold climate where winter is long and summer is short Shallow roots because 1-3 metres below the surface the soil is completely frozen (permafrost) Fast flowering and reproduction cycle (growing season is 1-2 months) Conserve moisture Extreme adaptations No land for the producers to grow Small Phytoplankton form the base of the food chain Animal Adaptations N/A Hibernation in the winter Migration in for the summer season and out for the winter season Develop insulating features (thick fur, fat insulation) i.e. polar bears White fur/feathers for camouflage Limited blood circulation to extremities Ptarmigan feet enlarge to walk on the snow Migration in for the summer and out for the winter Insulation features (thick fur and fat insulation) i.e. polar bears White fur/feathers for camouflage Temperate Grasslands Semi-arid in most areas, but in some regions it is temperate cold winter Climax Vegetation: Grass Location: Found in North America, South America, Australia and Eurasia Temperate Deciduous Forest Temperate Mild Winter Climax Vegetation: Deciduous Tress (oak, birch and maple) Location: Predominantly in North America and South America but is present in Australia, Europe and Asia. Tropical Rain Forests Tropical Wet climate in most locations, but in some regions it is tropical wet and dry Climax Vegetation: Evergreen Broadleaf Trees Location: South America, Africa, Australia, and South East Asia (contained within the tropics) Shallow Roots Small water requirement The small size of the plant means it requires less water N/A Trees are well adapted to lack of water They lose their leaves to prevent water loss (most water loss occurs through leaves). Lose their leaves in the winter N/A Tall trees are adapted to thin soil Buttress roots (large wide) to support their height Plants have to reach high into the canopy to get sunlight while at the same time reaching water from the ground Some develop long vines so leaves can be at the top of the canopy while roots can be on the forest floor Epiphytes have specialized roots that allow them to absorb water from the air (they reach the sun by lying in the canopy, and they get water from the roots that hang in the air) Some animals are adapted to spend their entire life in the canopy Savana Grasslands Tropical wet and dry in most locations, but in some it is semi-arid Climax Vegetation: Grass Location: Found in South America, Australia, Africa and South East Asia Deserts Arid Climax Vegetation: cacti and fleshy plants Location: Two bands around the earth 10-30 North and South Grasses are adapted to lack of water Small plants require less water N/A Cacti are adapted to lack of water (often called Xerophytes) Deep root systems help them obtain water Water storage capability gives them the ability to go a long time without rain Some plants prevent water loss with needle leaves and thick skin Deer mice can get all the water from the food they eat (do not need to drink water) Toads have the behavioural adaptations of hibernating through the driest seasons Some animals are only active at night (nocturnal) to keep them out of the daytime heat Some animals have large extremities with high blood circulation to help with heat loss Some reptiles reduce water loss by excreting solid uric acid crystals instead of water containing urine Mountain Ecosystems Not exclusively low latitudes The occur in most latitudes They can contain all types of ecosystems from all latitudes Figure 6.10 on page 104 illustrates the fact that latitudinal succession closely parallels altitudinal succession The changes in ecosystems move up a mountain are the same as when you move north of the equator Mountain ecosystems vary with altitude and temperature