SUCCESSION & BIOMES Ecosystems & Communities

Succession The sequential change that happens in an ecosystem over time after a disturbance Primary Succession  Succession that begins in an area with NO remnants of an older community  Takes a lot of time (depends on location)  Pioneer Species  The first species to colonize barren areas Ex. Lichens, grasses Over time – these fix N2, break down rock, add organic material to form soil.

Ecosystems & Communities Primary Succession

Ecosystems & Communities Succession Secondary Succession  Succession that occurs after a disturbance that does not completely destroy the ecosystem.  Occurs much faster than primary succession

Ecosystems & Communities Climax Communities Do ecosystems return to “normal” following a disturbance?  After Natural Disturbances  Secondary succession in healthy ecosystems often reproduce the original climax community Climax Community – the specific overriding flora & fauna in “adult” communities…usually call it a biome.  After Human-Caused Disturbances  Ecosystems may or may not recover from extensive human-caused disturbances.  Can cause too large of changes in the microclimate & soil for nature to recover from

Ecosystems & Communities Climax Communities

Biomes Why does the character of biological communities vary from one place to another? Why, for example, do temperate forests grown in the Pacific Northwest while areas to the east of the Cascades are much drier? How do similar conditions shape ecosystems elsewhere?

Biomes Biomes are described in terms of  abiotic factors like climate and soil type  biotic factors like major plant and animal life Each Biome –  Has its own seasonal weather patterns which dictate  Specific adaptations that organisms have undergone  Specific Plant Life  Specific Animal Life  Each Biome is Unique…

Biomes Terrestrial Biomes  Tropical Rain Forest  Tropical Grasslands/Savanna  Desert  Temperate Grassland  Temperate Shrubland/Chapparral  Temperate Broadleaf Forest  Temperate Coniferous Forest  Boreal Forest/Taiga  Tundra

Aquatic Ecosystems What factors affect life in Aquatic Ecosystems?  Water Depth  Photic vs. Aphotic Zones  Benthos  Temperature & Currents  Nutrient Availability

Aquatic Ecosystems Freshwater Ecosystems  Rivers & Streams  Lakes & Ponds  Wetlands  Swamps  Marshes  Bogs Mixed Fresh & Saltwater  Estuaries Marine Ecosystems  Intertidal Zones  Coastal Ocean  Open Ocean  Open Ocean Photic Zone  Open Ocean Aphotic Zone

Biomes Terrestrial Biomes  Tropical Rain Forest  Tropical Grasslands/Savanna  Desert  Temperate Grassland  Temperate Shrubland/Chapparral  Temperate Broadleaf Forest  Temperate Coniferous Forest  Boreal Forest/Taiga  Tundra Freshwater Ecosystems  Rivers & Streams  Lakes & Ponds  Wetlands  Swamps  Marshes  Bogs Mixed Fresh & Saltwater  Estuaries Marine Ecosystems  Intertidal Zones  Coastal Ocean  Open Ocean  Open Ocean Photic Zone  Open Ocean Aphotic Zone