Unit 3 Part 3 Unit 3 Part 3 Ecosystems of the Ecosystems of the worldworld

p. 101 - 109p. 101 - 109

Define Define “climax vegetation”“climax vegetation” p. p. 102102

Climax vegetation is stable/dominant vegetation

in balance with the climatic AND soil conditions

It should change very little if left undisturbed.

Best suited!!!

Each ecosystem has its own climax vegetation.

Example: The Example: The “climax vegetation”“climax vegetation” in in boreal / coniferousboreal / coniferous forest. P. 102 forest. P. 102

Evergreen treesEvergreen trees

Needle like Needle like leavesleaves

Thick barkThick bark

Conical shapeConical shape

Dense growing Dense growing which blocks sunwhich blocks sun

Coniferous forests

World Ecosystems

Different Locations

Different Climate (Temp. & Precip.)

Different Soil

Different Vegetation

Different Animals

Ecosystems

Climate Zones

Climate zones

Ecosystems

EcosystemsEcosystems AND AND climaticclimatic regions regions p.104p.104

Ecosystems of the world Ecosystems of the world are largely defined by their are largely defined by their climax vegetation. climax vegetation.

Examples!!!Examples!!! tropical rain tropical rain forest, grasslands, boreal forest, grasslands, boreal forests, cacti, etc.forests, cacti, etc.

Climax Vegetation Climax Vegetation is determined by climate (and climate (and soils)soils)..

Therefore, Therefore, ecosystems ecosystems match-up withmatch-up with climate climate zones…zones…

Climate zones

Ecosystem zones

Altitudinal succession vs. latitudinal succession p. 104

Altitudinal succession vs. latitudinal succession

The changes in ecosystems & vegetation The changes in ecosystems & vegetation that occur as one moves from the that occur as one moves from the equator equator to the polesto the poles

Altitudinal succession vs. latitudinal succession

The changes in ecosystems & vegetation that The changes in ecosystems & vegetation that occur as one moves from the base of an occur as one moves from the base of an tropical mountain to the summit.tropical mountain to the summit.

Altitudinal succession vs. latitudinal succession

Altitudinal succession vs. latitudinal succession

The changes in ecosystems & vegetation that occur The changes in ecosystems & vegetation that occur as one moves from the as one moves from the equator to the polesequator to the poles is very is very similarsimilar to the changes in ecosystems & vegetation to the changes in ecosystems & vegetation seen moving from the base of an seen moving from the base of an tropical mountain tropical mountain

to the summit. to the summit.

Altitudinal succession vs. latitudinal succession

World Ecosystems

Different Locations

Different Climate (Temp. & Precip.)

Different Soil

Different Vegetation

Different Animals

ADAPTATIONS

Ecosystems & Ecosystems & AdaptationAdaptation A specific or unique featureA specific or unique feature that that

enables an organism to become enables an organism to become better suited to its better suited to its habitat/environment.habitat/environment.

The The change in an organismchange in an organism that that allows it to allows it to live successfully/survive live successfully/survive in its environment.in its environment.

Grasses, Shrubs and low Grasses, Shrubs and low plantsplants

Shallow rootsShallow roots

Fast Fast reproduction / reproduction / flowering cycleflowering cycle

1-3 meters below 1-3 meters below the surface the the surface the ground is ground is completely frozencompletely frozen

growing season is growing season is very short, 1-2 very short, 1-2 monthsmonths

Animals

Hibernation Hibernation (Bears)(Bears)

Migration Migration (Birds)(Birds)

Insulating Insulating featuresfeatures

Sleep right though the Sleep right though the cold months under a cold months under a thick blanket of snow and thick blanket of snow and not freeze.not freeze.

Move further south to Move further south to warmer climates to avoid warmer climates to avoid the cold and obtain food.the cold and obtain food.

Some animals have extra Some animals have extra fur or fat to help hold in fur or fat to help hold in heat so they don’t freeze.heat so they don’t freeze.

Animals

Camouflage Camouflage (snowshoe hare, (snowshoe hare, ptarmigan, bear)ptarmigan, bear)

Feet (ptarmigan)Feet (ptarmigan)

Feet (snowshoe Feet (snowshoe hare / polar bear)hare / polar bear)

Hides from prey or Hides from prey or protects from protects from predators.predators.

Feet enlarge in the fall Feet enlarge in the fall for walking on snowfor walking on snow

Snow shoe hare Snow shoe hare develop a covering of develop a covering of hair. Polar bear – hair. Polar bear – bristles.bristles.

Trees – Conifers (Evergreens)

Needle-like leavesNeedle-like leaves

Thick barkThick bark

Conical shapeConical shape

Less surface area on Less surface area on the leaves means less the leaves means less transpiration (Winter transpiration (Winter all water is frozen). all water is frozen).

The thicker the bark The thicker the bark the less water that will the less water that will escape.escape.

Heavy snow during the Heavy snow during the winter will fall off winter will fall off reliving the pressure reliving the pressure on the branches.on the branches.

Trees – Deciduous Shed their leaves Shed their leaves

when winter comes. when winter comes. (Birch, maple, aspen (Birch, maple, aspen Since the Since the

water is water is frozen during frozen during winter they winter they shed their shed their leaves so no leaves so no water is lost water is lost via via transpiration.transpiration.

Grasseses

Shallow rootsShallow roots

Small water Small water requirementrequirement

Little rain falls, Little rain falls, doesn’t seep far in the doesn’t seep far in the ground, roots near the ground, roots near the surface will catch all surface will catch all the water.the water.

Little water, they have Little water, they have little need for water, little need for water, only once in a while. only once in a while. Also small in size, so Also small in size, so they don’t need a lot they don’t need a lot of water. of water. ..

Analyze world ecosystem map. P. Analyze world ecosystem map. P. 102102

a. Boreal Forest & tundra are wide spread in high latitudes

b. Tropical Rain Forests occur in low latitudes

c. Tropical Rain forest is most predominant in South America.

d. South America, Africa, Australia and Antarctica do not have tundra.

e. Coniferous/Boreal forest is our ecosystem