Biomes and Ecosystems - 7.10B: describe how biodiversity contributes to the sustainability of an ecosystem

A biome is a region of earth where the climate determines the type of plants that live there.

The types of plants in a biome determine the types of animals that live there.

Deserts, grasslands, tundra, taiga, temperature forests and tropical forests are all types of biomes

Climate – this is the main factor that characterizes a biome.

Climate is the long term temperature and precipitation in a region

Where the biome is on Earth affects its climate

Closer to the poles receive less sunlight and are colder, while places that are closer to the equator receive more sunlight and have warmer climates

Rainforest – long, wet seasons –tropical and temperate zones

Taiga – a type of forest, low temperatures but some precipitation

Temperate Forest –hot summers, cold winters, deciduous trees

Tundra – low temps and low moisture

Desert – low temps and low moisture

Grasslands –hot summers, cold winters and medium precipitation

Most biomes stretch across huge areas of land.

Within each biome are smaller areas called ecosystems

Each ecosystem includes a specific community of organisms and their physical environment

In the ecosystem organisms have specifically adapted to live in these conditions

Let’s pretend you went on a vacation to one of the below places. Your friend texts you and wants to know what is like. How do you describe one of these areas to your friend?

A community of organisms that interact with each other and with nonliving environment in a specific area.

Factors, such as temperature and the amount of sunlight determine which species can live in a certain ecosystem.

The components of an ecosystem are all the living and nonliving factors (things) that interact in a particular area.

Abiotic Factors: all the nonliving things in an ecosystem.

Examples:

Air Water

Soil Amount of sunlight

Temperature Minerals

Biotic Factors: all the living organisms in an ecosystem.

Tell me some things that are alive in a forest:

Large:Trees, deer, frogs, birds, etc.Small:Snail, insects, fungus, microorganisms??

In every system, there is an organizational order.

Let’s learn a few of the terms:

1. Organism - An individual form of life that is capable of growing, using nutrients, and reproducing (1 member of 1 species)

Example: a coyote

A group of organisms having many characteristics in common. They can reproduce to produce fertile offspring.

Example:

coyote family

Members of the same species living in a given area

Example: all

of the coyote

families living

on one prairie

All of the populations in a certain area

Example:

every living

thing that lives

on the prairie

All living things and the physical environment that they live in (Biotic and Abiotic factors)

Sun

Water

Soil

Air

Climate

Prairie dogs

coyote

bacteria

plants

insects

Plant and animals must coexist to survive.

They depend upon each other because each provides something the other needs.

There is also an interdependence between biotic and abiotic factors!

Are many factors at work, let’s look at a few of them

Habitat - a specific place in which an organism makes its home. It provides food, water, shelter, and other things the organism needs to live, grow, and reproduce

A very small, specialized habitat, such as a clump of grass or a space between rocks.

Examples:

First picture: old tree stump is a good microhabitat for a snail

Second picture: water in a bromeliad provides a place for a frog to lay eggs, and a tadpole to grow.

Each species of organism has a role, or niche, in the ecosystem in which it lives.

An organism’s niche includes such things as:

1. the type of food it eats

2. How it obtains this food

3. the conditions that organism needs to survive and reproduce

Carrying CapacityCarrying capacity – the number of individuals that can obtain food, shelter, and water from the environment in a given period of time

Limiting FactorsLimiting factors are things that prevent a population from growing any larger

Examples:

Food, water, light, living space, temperature, competition, disease, etc.

Sustainability - The ability of an ecosystem to maintain its stability and structure over time.

The more diverse an energy level is, the more sustainable the ecosystem.

A constant supply of energy (SUN).

Living organisms that can turn energy from the sun into organic compounds.

Material (nutrients) must be recycled between organisms and the environment.

Is long lived

Can recover from natural disasters

Is self supporting, all of the necessary “supplies” are within it

Survives, functions and renews itself over time

Put the completed notes in your binder now and the find this page.

When everyone is ready, we will begin.

An observation of the tiny worlds!7.10C observe, record and describe the role of ecological succession such as in a microhabitat

Definition:

A microhabitat is the smallest part of the

environment that supports

a distinct flora and fauna;

the microenvironment in which an organism lives.

Ex: “A log rotting in the forest creates a microhabitat for insects.”

How to be successful on this assignment:Follow the procedure – answer questions too!

Describe the habitat – use descriptive words!

Source of water – what else besides rain?

Amount of light – does it change throughout the day?

In describing wind and soil type, pay attention to details

Living organisms – identify them the best you can. Take pictures, is the stem round or square? Are the leaves bright green, grey-green, etc.

In microhabitats around here, they should be common and easy to research. Take pictures so that you can compare them to databases online and identify them.

After your observations…

Make sure you have filled out the chart to the best of your ability

Out your pictures in a google or word doc (or powerpoint) and then spend some time identifying these organism that you have found!

How?

There are links posted on my website to help get you started!