Ecosystems

and Biomes
There are 9 (terrestrial) ecosystems in the world

Tropical Rainforest
Grassland
Desert
Deciduous
Tundra
Coniferous Forest
Chaparral
Savanna
Alpine
Terrestrial Ecosystems
Tropical Rainforests –
Found around the equator.

Tundra - Conditions = cold,

annual average temperature
less than 5°C.

Deciduous - Rapid changes.

Cold/dry to wet/warm.

Grassland - dry, temperate

to subtropical areas, often with Desert - Hot. Dry
cold winters and hot summers. (*but, biggest desert is?)
Terrestrial Ecosystems
Coniferous forest (Taiga)– cold, lots of rain.
Chaparral
Mediterranean
Wood / shrub-land Savannah -
temp ranges from 0- grassland with individual or
30°C throughout the groups of trees – typically
year. over 30°C
Alpine - does not fit into a
simple climatic scheme.
 Tundra
Coniferous forest

Chaparral

Deciduous
forest
Alpine
Grassland

Tropical Desert
Rainforest

Savannah
Aquatic Ecosystems
Ecosystems found in water – Oceans, lakes, ponds and rivers
The three main types of aquatic ecosystems…

Lentic Still water Lotic -Running water Oceanic - Salt water

(lakes, ponds) (rivers, streams) (seas/different depths)
Aquatic
Ecosystems
But even the three types
of aquatic ecosystem are
also divided into further
sub-types.
For example
oceanic ecosystems:

Estuarine
Euphotic
Bathyal
Abyssal
Urban Ecosystems
Urban Ecosystems are a special type of terrestrial ecosystem.
These ecosystems have been created by man in an ever changing
environment.

It is hard to imagine species being able to adapt so quickly to new environments.

But, some species have thrived - WHY/HOW?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LDGzXpei8k
 Biotic vs Abiotic factors
 The biotic parts of an ecosystem are living, or lived before (organic and
contain carbon)
 Examples: cats, rats, grapes, fossils, corpse, human, bacteria

 The abiotic parts of an ecosystem are not living and never lived (not
organic)
 Examples: metal, air, sunlight, pH, water

 Something can contain BOTH biotic and abiotic things

Biotic and Abiotic factors
What is a biotic factor?
The living things within an ecosystem –
bacteria, protists, fungi, plants and animals
What is an abiotic factor?
The non living parts of an ecosystem…

Biotic and abiotic factors are linked together.

And if either a biotic or abiotic factor is removed, it can affect
the entire ecosystem

Abiotic factors are especially important as it can

directly affect how organisms survives
Biotic and Abiotic factors

But, biotic factors can also change an ecosystem…

Remember the fish-plant interaction?
How did wolves change rivers in Yellowstone Park, U.S.?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa5OBhXz-Q
Examples of Abiotic factors
Aquatic Ecosystems Terrestrial Ecosystem
Abiotic Factors Abiotic Factors

Water depth Soil

PH Rain
Sunlight Wind
Salinity (salt concentration in Temperature
the water) Altitude
Turbidity -cloudiness of water Pollution
(like smoke in the air) Nutrients
Available nutrients (nitrogen, PH
phosphorous etc.) Sunlight
Dissolved oxygen
Biomes
A biome is a large region
on Earth with a specific
climate, physical features,
plants, and other
organisms.

Biomes contain ecosystems,

populations, and
communities, as well as
specific biotic and abiotic
factors.

All biomes are part of the biosphere they are described as either
terrestrial or aquatic.