ECOSYSTEMS

What is an Ecosystem?

• Ecosystem- a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

• There are many types of ecosystems and they can be small or large in size.

• Example of a large ecosystem- a forest or choral reef.

• Example of a small ecosystem- a puddle by the football field.

Main Types of Ecosystems and Their Subgroups

Terrestrial (Land) Ecosystems

• Forest Ecosystems • Rainforest • Deciduous Forest • Taiga

• Desert Ecosystem

• Grassland Ecosystems • Savanna • Prairie

• Mountain Ecosystem

• Tundra Ecosystem

Aquatic (Water) Ecosystems

• Marine Ecosystem

• Freshwater Ecosystem

What is a Forest Ecosystem?

• Forest ecosystems have a lot of plants. They also have a large number of organisms that live in a small space.

• The density (amount of organisms per square foot) in this ecosystem is very high.

• There are 3 subgroups of forest ecosystems: • Rainforest

• Deciduous Forest

• Taiga

Rainforest Ecosystem

• There are 2 Types of rainforest ecosystems: • Tropical Rainforest

• Temperate Rainforest

Tropical Rainforest Ecosystem • Tropical rainforest is a hot, humid ecosystem near the

equator.

• This ecosystem has heavy rainfall and a wide variety of life.

• Tropical rainforests have 4 layers: • Forest floor

• Understory

• Canopy

• Emergent layer

• Plants and Animals in the tropical rainforest are: • Tree Frogs

• Mice

• Vines

• Monkeys

• Bats

• Toucans

Temperate Rainforest Ecosystem

• This type of rainforest has a lot of rain, fog, and a cool climate.

• Some of the plants and animals that live in this rainforest are: • Evergreen trees

• Mosses

• Ferns

• Cougars

• Bobcats

• Owls

• Reptiles

• Amphibians

Deciduous Forest Ecosystem

• This is a forest ecosystem with 4 distinct seasons and deciduous trees. • These are trees whose leaves change color and fall

off.

• We Live in this type of ecosystem

• Some of the plants and animals that are from this ecosystem are: • Robins • Woodpeckers • Squirrels • Hawks • Deer • Foxes • Bears • Butterflies

Taiga

• The taiga is the coolest forest ecosystem.

• The taiga is not as cold as the tundra and the soil allows for plant growth.

• Here are some of the plants and animals that live in the taiga:

• Pines

• Firs

• Spruces

• Snowshoe Rabbit

Desert Ecosystem • A desert is a sandy, rocky ecosystem,

with little precipitation and little plant life.

• They are normally very dry and hot

• The plants and animals that live there have adaptations to help them survive.

• Here are some plants and animals that are native to the dessert. • Cactus

• Mesquite

• Some lizards

• Kangaroo Rats

• Scorpions

Grassland Ecosystems

• There are 2 Types of Grassland Ecosystems • Savanna

• Prairie

Savanna

• This is the ecosystem where grasses are the main type of plant life

• Fires are common in this ecosystem because the ecosystem is very dry.

• Plants and animals native to this ecosystem are: • Zebra

• Switch Grass

• Giraffe

• Lion

• Crickets

• Snakes

Prairie • This is the ecosystem where grasses are the

main type of plant life

• Fires are common in this ecosystem because the ecosystem is very dry.

• Plants and animals native to this ecosystem are: • Bluestem grass

• Grasshoppers

• Crickets

• Toads

• Worms

• Prairie dogs

• Snakes

• Bison

Mountain Ecosystems • This ecosystem is rocky and has very diverse

types of life.

• Some plants and animals are native to higher altitudes and some lower.

• Animals that life here typically have thick fur coats.

• At low altitudes trees are found, but the landscape gets more treeless the higher the altitude goes.

• Plants and animals native to this ecosystem are: • Mountain Goats

• Evergreen trees

• Jack rabbits

• Small shrubs

Tundra Ecosystem • The tundra is a large, treeless ecosystem where the

ground is frozen all year. • There is a layer of permafrost which is a frozen layer

of soil that keeps trees from growing.

• During the winter, the tundra gets little sunlight and its temperatures can get as low as -94°F

• Some of the plants and animals that live in the tundra are: • Mosses

• Lichens

• Caribou

• Polar Bears

• Musk Ox

• Arctic Hares

• Foxes

Marine Ecosystems • This is a saltwater ecosystem.

• This is the biggest ecosystem, and it covers 71% of the Earth’s surface and contains 97% of the Earth’s water.

• There are many subgroups in this ecosystem where many varieties of life can be found. • Oceanic (the shallower part of the oceans)

• Profundal (deep or bottom water)

• Inter-tidal (between high and low tides)

• Estuaries

• Coral Reefs

• Salt Marshes

• Some of the plants and animals that live in the marine ecosystem are: • Algae

• Coral

• Sharks

• Crabs

• Salt water fish

Freshwater Ecosystem • Covers about 0.8% of the Earth.

• Made from freshwater

• Three basic types: • Lentic- slow moving or still water like pools, lakes,

or ponds. • Lotic- fast-moving water like streams or rivers. • Wetlands- where the soil is covered by water for a

long period of time.

• Some of the plants and animals that live in the marine ecosystem are: • Frogs • Lizards • Water snakes • Leeches • 41% of the world’s fish species.

Why Learn About Ecosystems?

• Life in each ecosystem varies. Each ecosystem has plants and animals that are unique.

• If you add a plant or animal to another ecosystem it can destroy it.

• If one type of animal suddenly disappeared from an ecosystem, it would have devastating effects to the entire ecosystem. • The food web will be completely altered or

destroyed.

• When an organism enters and thrives in an ecosystem where it does not belong, it is called an invasive species. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPeg1tbBt0A