2011 Lecture 3a Intro to Ecosystem Classification
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Transcript of 2011 Lecture 3a Intro to Ecosystem Classification
Introduction to Ecosystem
ClassificationE&FB Chapters 20 & 27
Stern Chapter 27
BEGINNINGof ecosystem classification
Plant geographers :• different parts of the world with similar
climates have similar vegetation• species different, but structure & processes
of ecosystems similar• “correlated” distribution of vegetation types
to climate
BEGINNING of ecosystem classification
“Formations” 1st plants 2nd animals
1. deserts
2. grasslands
3. coniferous forests
4. temperate forests
5. tropical forests
BEGINNING of ecosystem classification
Biogeography :• study of• distribution patterns of organisms,• both past & present.
Patterns called : Vegetation Zones
Vegetation Zones
CLIMATE determines vegetation patterns
I. latitude
II. altitude
III. location on continent
IV. direction of prevailing winds
Vegetation ZonesI . LATITUDE :
Δ N & S from the equator : 1. tropical forests → 2. temperate forests →3. coniferous forests → 4. tundra → 5. ice fields
Vegetation Zones
II. ALTITUDE :• similar Δ as go up in elevation in the
mountains• taiga or boreal region = subalpine life zone• tundra = alpine life zone
World-scale gradients of• temperature more • moisture more
• Dependency ratio in renewable water
Terrestrial Formation Types of the World (Whittaker, 1975)
1. tropical rain forest
2. tropical seasonal forests
3. temperate rain forest
4. temperate deciduous forest
5. temperate evergreen forest
6. subarctic-subalpine needle-leaved forest (taiga)
Terrestrial Formation Types of the World, continued (Whittaker, 1975)
7. subalpine zone forest on tropical mountains (elfinwoods)
8. tropical broad-leaved woodlands
9. thornwoods
10. temperate woodlands
11. temperate shrublands
12. tropical grasslands (savannas)
13. temperate grasslands
Terrestrial Formation Types of the World, continued (Whittaker, 1975)
14. alpine shrublands
15. alpine grasslands
16. treeless arctic plains (tundra)
17. warm semidesert scrubs
18. cool semideserts
19. arctic-alpine semideserts
20. true deserts (subtropical)
21. true deserts (arctic-alpine)
Vegetation Zones
III. Location on continent &
IV. Direction of prevailing winds
+ soil can be
+ fire cycles deciding factors
+ regional climate in some areas
HISTORYof ecosystem classification
1940’s :
Plant formations +
associated wildlife = “Biomes”
Δ between biomes gradual – transition zones :
“ecotones” or “edges”
BIOMES
WARM & MOIST COLD & DRY
• productivity• species diversity• OG matter
BIOMES
WARM & MOIST COLD & DRY
complexity of ecosystems• size of plants• # of vertical strata• number of different species (biodiversity)
Δ typical growth forms
9 Major Terrestrial Biomes(Botany Colouring Book # 96)
1. tundra2. taiga3. temperate forest4. temperate rain forest5. tropical rain forest6. savanna (tropical grassland)7. temperate grassland8. chaparral (scrub forest : maritime, no rain in summer, lots of
fires)
9. desert
E&FB Chapter 27
p.547 : Origin of Plant Hardiness Zones :focused on importance of temperaturep. 549 : Ecoregions (from American perspective)
1961 – Hill (Ontario)“uniform” vegetation zones caused by
interaction between climate (latitude, global position & altitude) soil & topography
E&FB p. 551
“ The ecoregion approach to classification is ecologically more useful than the other classifications
because it relates management strategy to its mapping levels.”
E&FB p. 551 (continued)
“Because all systems operate within the context of larger systems,
knowledge of [the] larger systems allows us to better understand the smaller systems.”
E&FB p. 551 (continued)
“A better understanding of smaller systems allows us to predict the outcome of land management and natural resource development.
It provides a foundation for ecological management of resources.”