sustaining ecosystems
- Created by: emilyforrester
- Created on: 13-01-18 17:34
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- What are ecosystems?
- Ecosystem= an area where living organisms and non-living elements interact with each other
- biotic = living elements of an ecosystem
- plants
- incl. trees, grasses, mosses and algae.
- provide food and shelter for animals.
- incl. trees, grasses, mosses and algae.
- animals
- incl. insects, birds and mammals
- micro-organisms
- e.g. fungi
- breakdown dead plants and animals
- releases nutrients into ecosystem.
- breakdown dead plants and animals
- e.g. fungi
- plants
- Fauna = another term for animals
- abiotic = non-living elements of an ecosystem
- soils
- store water and carbon nutrients that plants can use.
- sunshine and rain
- needed for photosynthesis
- rocks
- helps create soil and weathering adds nutrients to ecosystem.
- soils
- Flora = another term for animals
- biotic = living elements of an ecosystem
- how are they interdependent
- interdependent - everything relying on everything else to survive
- Biomes
- Globally significant ecosystems
- Polar regions
- Global distributions-found around north and south poles
- Climate- Cold winter and cool summers (below 10)
- Remember cold and dry!
- Flora- small plants and close to the ground, only in summer
- Fauna - mainly migrating animals and come in summer
- Coral reefs
- Global distribution -Mostly found 30 degrees north and south of the equator. A few miles off the coast
- Flora - underwater so not many plants. However, wide range of seaweed and algae.
- Climate- tropical and sub-tropical oceans. (16-30 ) Grow best in shallow, clear, salty water.
- Fauna - coral is an jellyfish like animal. A third of the worlds fish population lives here.
- Remember large numbers of animals!
- Grasslands
- Global distribution - between the tropics
- Climate - warm all year (20-30). Wet and dry season (500-1500mm/year)
- Fauna- grazing animals, e.g. zebras and hunting animals, e.g. lions.
- Flora - grassland with widely spaced trees
- Temarate forests
- Global distribution - mid -latitudes between the tropics.
- Climate - Warm summers and mild winters (5-20). Variable rainfall 500-1500 mm/year.
- Flora - mainly deciduous tress.
- Fauna- lots of mammals (foxes), birds (woodpeckers) and insects. Also insects on rivers and streams and food for fish e.g. trout .
- Remember - Mild and wet climate !!
- Hot deserts
- Global distribution - north and south of the equator
- Fauna- adapted to live in dry conditions e.g. camels. Also nocturnal so can hide in shade during the day. Several small animals e.g. kangaroo rat.
- Flora - plant growth is sparse. cacti are adapted with waxy skin.
- Remember - Low rainfall!!
- Climate- little rainfall, less than 250mm. hot by day over 30 and cold by night.
- Polar regions
- Globally significant ecosystems
- organisms
- food chain shows what eats what.
- food web shows lots of food chains and how they overlap.
- consumer gets energy by eating producer or other consumers.
- e.g. lady bird or spiders.
- producer uses sunlight to produce food.
- for example blackberry bushes.
- decomposer gets it's energy by breaking down dead material.
- e.g. bateria and fungi.
- This brings nutrients into soil which canoe used by plants.
- e.g. bateria and fungi.
- food chain shows what eats what.
- Ecosystem= an area where living organisms and non-living elements interact with each other
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