2.4.1 Biomes and aquatic ecosystems

Major Ecosystems of the WorldBiomes

Biomes of the World

1. The Tundra

2. Low biotic diversity

alpine vs arctic tundra

1. Extremely cold climate

3. Simple vegetation structure4. Permafrost limited drainage

5. Short growing season

6. Energy and nutrients in the form of dead organic material

7. Large population oscillations

Biomes of the World3. Temperate Rain

Forest1. Located on NW coast of No. America2. Moderate climate and high annual

rainfall3. Relatively nutrient-poor soils4. Forests subject to heavy logging

pressure.

Biomes of the World4. Temperate Deciduous Forest

1. Located in the mid-latitude areas

2. Four distinct seasons

3. Short, cold winters & long, hot, wet summers

4. Trees adapted to the winter with a period of dormancy and thick bark to protect them from the cold weather

Biomes of the World5. Grasslands

1. Composed of a rich mix of grasses and forbs and some of the world's most fertile soils

2. Semiarid, continental climate3. Summers tend to be dry

4. Most precipitation falls at start of growing season

Biomes of the World6. Chaparral (aka: scrub forest)

1. Composed of drought tolerant trees, shrubs, and grasses

2. Occur in California, coastal Mediterranean, and south coast of Australia

3. Plants go dormant during very dry summer

4. Most precipitation falls in winter

Biomes of the World7. Deserts

1. Arid, with annual rainfall less than 10 in.2. Plants adapted to conserve water over long periods (e.g. cacti, sagebrush, and mesquite) or germinate, develop to maturity, flower, and produce a new crop of seeds within a few weeks following a rain event

3. Animals burrow to escape the heat of the desert sun

Biomes of the World8. Savanna

1. Tropical grasslands

2. Tropical climate with alternate wet and dry seasons

3. Characterized by a continuous cover of perennial grasses

Biomes of the World9. Tropical Rain Forests

1. Earth's most complex biome in terms of structure and species diversity

2. Climate characterized by abundant precipitation and year round warmth

3. Trees vertically stratification into three distinct layers

Aquatic EcosystemsTrophic Levels

Aquatic EcosystemsEnvironmental Factors

Temperature

Aquatic EcosystemsEnvironmental Factors

Light

Aquatic EcosystemsEnvironmental Factors

Salinity

Lake Michigan 0.5 PPT

Baltic Sea5-15 PPT

The Dead Sea332 PPT

The Black Sea16 PPT

The Red Sea & The Persian Gulf40 PPT

Pacific Ocean36 PPT

Aquatic EcosystemsEnvironmental Factors

Currents

Aquatic EcosystemsEnvironmental Factors

Dissolved OxygenDissolved Oxygen (mg/L)

Dep

th (

m)

Dep

th (

m)

Temperature (ºC)

DissolvedOxygen

Temperature

Aquatic EcosystemsZonation

Aquatic EcosystemsHuman Impacts

Waterways across the United States are contaminated by a medicine chest of antibiotics, hormones, caffeine, painkillers and other drugs

Agricultural runoff can carry fertilizers, including traces of antibiotics and hormones, into waterways