Unit 9 Lesson 2 Ecology of Terrestrial Ecosystems Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
On Firm Ground Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company What are the characteristics of a terrestrial ecosystem? A terrestrial ecosystem is an ecosystem on land. Whether a terrestrial ecosystem is home to lions, tiger, or bears and palms, pines, or peach trees, the organisms and their interactions make up the biotic factors of that ecosystem. Unit 9 Lesson 2 Ecology of Terrestrial Ecosystems
What abiotic factors affect terrestrial ecosystems? Abiotic factors in a terrestrial ecosystem include soil type, temperature, water availability, and amount of sunlight. These abiotic factors influence what types of organisms can survive and reproduce in each ecosystem. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Unit 9 Lesson 2 Ecology of Terrestrial Ecosystems
What is a biome? A biome is a major regional or global community of organisms. Biomes are characterized by their climate conditions and plant communities. Similar climate conditions explain why certain biomes occur at similar latitudes around the world. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Unit 9 Lesson 2 Ecology of Terrestrial Ecosystems
What are the major biomes? Earth’s eight major biomes are tundra, desert, tropical grassland, temperate grassland, taiga, temperate deciduous forest, temperate rain forest, and tropical rain forest. Each biome has a distinct climate, which influences the type of plant and animal species that can live there. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Unit 9 Lesson 2 Ecology of Terrestrial Ecosystems Around the World
Where are the major biomes? Tundra is cold and dry with a layer of permafrost. No trees grow in this biome, and organisms that live there, such as polar bears, are adapted to cold conditions. Desert is the driest biome and is characterized by extreme temperatures and nutrient-poor soil. Plants and animals that live there have different ways to soak up moisture. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Unit 9 Lesson 2 Ecology of Terrestrial Ecosystems
Where are the major biomes? The grassland biome is dominated by hoofed animals and grasses with frequent fires keeping trees from taking root. Tropical grasslands are warmer and get more rain than temperate grasslands. Taiga, or boreal forest, has acidic soil and is characterized by long winters and short summers. This biome is home to conifers, lichens, mosses, moose, wolves, and bears. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Unit 9 Lesson 2 Ecology of Terrestrial Ecosystems
What are the major biomes? Other forest biomes include tropical rain forests, temperate rain forests, and temperate deciduous forests. Both rain forest biomes have wet climates. Temperate rain forest and temperate deciduous forest biomes have seasonal temperature changes, but deciduous forests have less precipitation. Animal and plant life is rich and diverse in these forest biomes. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Unit 9 Lesson 2 Ecology of Terrestrial Ecosystems
What are the feeding relationships in a terrestrial ecosystem? Plants are the photosynthetic producers in a terrestrial ecosystem Primary consumers eat producers. Some consumers are prey for predators. These predators may be secondary or tertiary consumers. In a parasite-host relationship, the parasite usually doesn’t kill its host but can cause it to become weak or sick. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Unit 9 Lesson 2 Ecology of Terrestrial Ecosystems Let’s Eat!
How do terrestrial organisms compete with one another? All types of organisms compete for resources in a terrestrial ecosystem. Plants compete for abiotic factors such as space, sunlight, water, and soil nutrients. Animals often compete for territory, mates, water, and food sources. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Unit 9 Lesson 2 Ecology of Terrestrial Ecosystems