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December, 2009: Ecosystem Newsletter* based in Spfld, IL
EC O S Y S TEMS
By Chris Crawford and Brandon Staley
Table of Contents//
Page 1: Saltwater
Page 2: Desert
Page 3: Grasslands
Ecosystems
Ecosystems
Ecosystem
SALTWATER BODIES ON EARTH
Earth’s saltwater bodies contain areas such as Oceans, seas,
inland lakes such as the Great Salt Lake in Utah, Estuaries,
and Coastal Inlets.
The moon and sun, to a lesser extent, control the tides that provide homes
for many organisms such as plankton, eels, and fish. The ecosystems controlled
by the rising tides are more diverse, and usually live in the darkened zone of
the sea.
An extremely diverse saltwater ecosystem is the coral reef. They are formed
over long periods of time, from Calcium Carbonate scattered by animals called
corals. Over time, coral reefs are formed. Coral
Saltwater Body Facts
*About 95% of earth’s
surface water is salt water.
*Average salinity of oceans
is 35g of salt per 1000g of
water
*Scientists divide the ocean
into zones based on the
distance which lights
penetrates the water. The
lighted zone is the upper
200m, while the lower
areas are the dark zones.
reefs do not adapt well to long term stress.
Runoff from fields, increased sedimentation,
and increased sewage damage rates are
all causes of coral reef pollution, and the
death of corals. Inside coral reefs live
many species of animals. Sponges,
Anemones, Bryozoans, Sea Stars,
Urchins, and Sea Turtles all live in
reefs.
Ecosystems Newsletter*2300 E. Jackson Street*Springfield, IL*62702*U.S.A
December, 2009: Ecosystem Newsletter* based in Spfld, IL
EC O S Y S TEMS : D ES ERT EC O S Y S TEMS
Desert Life
Desert plants are adapted for survival in the
extreme dryness, and hot and cold temperatures of
this biome. Most plants are able to store water in
their bodies for long periods of time (up to several
years at a time.) Cactus are the most recognizable
desert plants in the western hemisphere, and are
often portrayed as the desert’s most identifiable
characteristic.
Weather Conditions and environmental facts
Deserts receive less than 25 centimeters of
rain each year. Some deserts never receive
rain at all. Soil contains very little organic
matter. Much of the ground is bare. Wind
blown sand dunes are characteristics of the
driest desert.
(Oryx Antelope on dunes)
Animals also have special adaptations to survive
in this extreme environment. One of these animals is
the Kangaroo Rat. It has the ability to take water
from it’s food when it is in it’s digestional track. Large
animals are not often found in the desert. Another
animal adapted to the desert is the Giant Hairy
Scorpion. It has a venomous sting, and it is protected
from predators.
Desert Geology
A desert biome
The geology of each desert is unique. Some deserts
have sand dunes - great waves of sand weathered from
rock, that move over time as wind blows the sediment.
Other deserts have no dunes but instead have unique
rock formations carved by wind and streams that only
flow at times when there is moisture.
Ecosystems Newsletter*2300 E. Jackson Street*Springfield, IL*62702*U.S.A
December, 2009: Ecosystem Newsletter* based in Spfld, IL
TH E G RA S S LA ND EC O S Y S TEM
Grassland Life
Grasslands usually house
large mammals, ranging from
Kangaroos to Bison to Zebra.
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.
Grasslands provide a home to
many different species of
plant; Wheat, Rye, Oats,
Barley, Corn are all examples.
There are two different
types of grasslands; tall-grass
type, which are humid and
wet, and short-grass, which
are dry, and have hotter
summers and colder winters
than the tall-grass type. In the
North American Grasslands, it
rains quite often and it is very
humid. As you travel further
west and approached the
Rocky Mountains, the grass
becomes shorter. There is less
rain in the summer and the
winters got colder. These are
the short-grass prairies.
Region Facts
The grassland is a temperate and
tropical biome, and it receives 25
centimeters of rain each year.
Grasslands have a dry season where
there is no rain, and rivers go dry,
and all grasslands have these.
Grassland Names
•
•
•
•
Prairies
Panes
Savannas
Steppe
Grasslands are normally used to raise
livestock such as cattle, or sheep.
Overgrazing can cause lack of topsoil.
Ecosystems Newsletter*2300 E. Jackson Street*Springfield, IL*62702*U.S.A