Download major terrestrial ecosystems

Name: ___________________________________
Date: ____________________________________
SNC1D
MAJOR TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
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There isn’t an unlimited number of ecosystems on the planet—there are actually only a
few that are the major land ecosystems
The most important factor in determining the makeup of a terrestrial ecosystem is the
climate—both precipitation and temperature
Biome:__________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Tundra Biome
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Basically, it’s a cold desert
The low temperatures and short growing season put limits on the kinds of plants that
can survive
There is little light so photosynthesis is reduced and plants grow slower
Lots of areas have ________________________
In the summer, the soil closest to the surface thaws and roots can grow but because the
soil is so cold, the process of decomposition is slow and nutrients are cycled slowly
Notable species in the tundra—_____________________ and the _________________
Boreal Forest Biome
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Rainfall and warm summers support growth of trees
___________________ are the main trees—they can survive the harsh winter and keep
their need-shaped leaves
As conifer needles (e.g. pine needle, evergreens) decompose they release __________
into the soil, making the soil slightly acidic—the acidic soil limits the types of plants that
can grow
Grassland Biome
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Moderate rainfall—it can support growth of grass but not of most trees
Summers are hot and dry—the perfect conditions for fires—the fires keep up the
grassland because they stop the growth of trees
High summer temperatures encourage decomposition to release nutrients back into the
soil making it one of the most fertile
Notable species in the grassland—______________
Temperate Deciduous Forest Biome
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Dominated by ______________________________—leafy trees like oak and maple
Growing season is longer and temperatures don’t reach the extreme lows of the boreal
biome so decomposition rates are faster
Name: ___________________________________
Date: ____________________________________
SNC1D
MAJOR AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
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There are 2 major categories of aquatic ecosystems: ___________________ and
________________
Freshwater Ecosystems
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These ecosystems can be either moving water like rivers or stationary bodies of water
like lakes.
Rivers and streams of unique in that they are always flushed with a fresh supply of
water
Lakes and ponds are classified according to the amount of nutrients found in them:
o _______________________—bodies of water that are low in nutrients
 Even with plenty of light, there aren’t enough nutrients to make lots of
plants grow
o _________________________—bodies of water that are high in nutrients
 Plants and algae grow very quickly and can support lots of different
consumers
Marine Ecosystems
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Most of the water that evaporates and falls as rain or snow comes from oceans
Much (not all) of the ocean can’t support photosynthetic life—the open ocean has very
little nutrients, and there is no light in the deep water so photosynthesis is impossible
o BUT shallow waters near the shore have lots of nutrients and support lots of
greenery.
______________________ grow in warm shallow oceans and are very sensitive to
changes in ___________________________, ___________________ and
_______________________
____________________ are bodies of water where fresh water and salt water mix—
these areas are usually very high in nutrients and often support valuable shellfish
______________________: the area between low-tide line and high-tide line
o Part-time terrestrial and part-time aquatic ecosystems
o Common species that live in these areas: seaweeds, sea stars, urchins