Download Ecosystems and organisms

Ecosystems & Organisms
• Organisms live and survive by
interacting with the living and non-living
elements of their ecosystem.
• Ecosystems have different physical
characteristics that support many
different populations and communities.
Organisms
An organism is a living thing.
Organisms include:
 Plants
 Animals
 Bacteria
 Fungi
Environment
Environments are the surroundings in
which organisms live.
There are many different
environments around the world.
Each different environment has
specific characteristics.
Habitat
The environment where an
organism lives is its habitat.
Ecological Levels
An individual
organism is one,
by itself.
Individual
Ecological Levels
A population is all the
organisms that live in the
same place at the same
time.
Population
Individual
Ecological Levels
Populations that live in the same
place at the same time make up a
community.
Community
Population
Individual
Ecological Levels
Ecosystem
Community
Population
Individual
An ecosystem is all the
living and nonliving
elements that interact
with each other in an
environment.
Ecological Levels
Biome
Ecosystem
Community
Population
Individual
A biome is a very large
area with a certain kind
of climate and certain
kinds of organisms living
there.
Biome:
A large-scale
ecosystem
(many similar ecosystems and climates)
Biomes
Tropic of
Cancer
Equator
Tropic of
Capricorn
Arctic tundra (polar grasslands)
Desert
Boreal forest (taiga), evergreen coniferous
forest (e.g., montane coniferous forest)
Tropical rain forest,
tropical evergreen forest
Semidesert,
arid grassland
Mountains
(complex zonation)
Temperate deciduous forest
Tropical deciduous forest
Ice
Temperate grassland
Tropical scrub forest
Dry woodlands and
shrublands (chaparral)
Tropical savanna,
thorn forest
A Biome is a
large-scale ecosystem
To understand a world biome, you need to know:
• Where each biome is found (how far from the
equator)
• What the climate of the region is like.
• What its geography (landforms) is like.
• The special adaptations of plants.
• The special adaptations of animals
Major World Biomes
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Desert
Tropical Rain Forest
Deciduous Forest
Grasslands
Taiga
Tundra
Desert Biome
Desert
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Extremely dry
Sparse grasses
Cactus
Plants store water in thick
leaves.
• Reptiles have tough, scaly
skin that prevents water
loss.
• Plants require little water.
Desert:
Hot during the day
and cold at night
Very little rain
Cactus
Animals include
reptiles, jack rabbits,
insects, camels,
mice, desert fox
Tropical Rain Forest
Tropical Rainforest
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Heavy rainfall
Climbing vines
Colorful birds, monkeys, snakes
Tree frogs have long toes with
sticky tips to help them climb wet
trees
• Near equator
• Ferns and palms
Tropical
Rain Forest:
200 cm of rain each
year
Many varieties of
plants
Animals include
monkeys, birds,
insects, reptiles,
panda bear
Deciduous Forest
Deciduous Forest
• Cold winters; warm, wet
summers
• Broadleaf trees like maple and
oak
• Trees lose their leaves in the fall
• Deer, raccoons, small birds
• Many animals have small bodies
so they can move easily through
the brush
• Brown soil
Deciduous
Forest:
Trees include oak,
maple, fruit
Have all 4 seasons
In the fall, leaves
change colors
Animals include
deer, bears, eagles,
squirrels, reptiles
Grasslands Biome
Grassland
• Temperate climate
• Grasses, both annual and
perennial
• Antelope, bison, elephants,
prairie dogs and jack rabbits
• Roots grow just below the
surface of the soil and spread
out to take in as much rain as
possible.
Grasslands:
•Plants include
wheat, corn, and
other grains
•Animals include
buffalo, antelope,
prairie dogs, gazelle
Taiga Forest
Taiga
• Cold winters; short growing
season
• Evergreen trees
• Bears, moose, ducks
• A waxy covering protects
tree needles from the cold
and limits water loss.
• Rains in the summer
• Acidic soil
Taiga
Forest:
Trees are green all
year-round
Many insects
Animals include
eagles, owls,
bobcats, bears,
deer, moose
Tundra Biome
Tundra
• Extremely cold, dry
• Arctic foxes, polar bears,
migratory birds
• Low shrubs, lichens, no trees
Arctic foxes and other
animals grow thick white
coats to blend into the snowy
landscape.
• Means “marshy”
Tundra:
Only 2 seasons–
light and dark
Permafrost layer all
year-round
Very little plants
Animals include
arctic fox, snowshoe
hare, polar bears,
wolves, penguins