Communities and Biomes

Summary Slide CommunitiesCommunities BiomesBiomes

Communities

Limiting Factors Limiting Factors: Any factor that restricts the existence, numbers, reproduction, or distribution or organismsLimiting Factors: Any factor that restricts the existence, numbers, reproduction, or distribution or organisms Includes: food availability, predators, temperaturesIncludes: food availability, predators, temperatures Limiting factors for one population may effect another population indirectlyLimiting factors for one population may effect another population indirectly

Ranges of Tolerance A limiting factor for one organism may not limit another organismA limiting factor for one organism may not limit another organism

Succession: Changes over Time Succession: Normal and natural changes and species that take place in the communities of an ecosystemSuccession: Normal and natural changes and species that take place in the communities of an ecosystem

Primary Succession Primary succession: colonization of new sites like these by communities of organismsPrimary succession: colonization of new sites like these by communities of organisms Pioneer species: the first species in an areaPioneer species: the first species in an area After the community has begun to thrive with the pioneer species other species may join the communityAfter the community has begun to thrive with the pioneer species other species may join the community Climax community: A stable community that undergoes little or no change in speciesClimax community: A stable community that undergoes little or no change in species

Secondary Succession Secondary succession: sequence of community changes that takes place after a community is disrupted by natural disasters or human actionsSecondary succession: sequence of community changes that takes place after a community is disrupted by natural disasters or human actions

Example: Fires of Yellowstone Annual wildflowers, perennial wildflowers, grasses, ferns, pine seedlings, lodge pole pine trees then climax communityAnnual wildflowers, perennial wildflowers, grasses, ferns, pine seedlings, lodge pole pine trees then climax community

Biomes

Biomes AquaticAquatic –Freshwater –Saltwater TerrestrialTerrestrial –Tundra –Desert –Grassland –Temperate Forest –Tropical Rain Forest

Aquatic Biomes: Life in Water Biome: Similar climax communities grouped into this larger categoryBiome: Similar climax communities grouped into this larger category 75% of the earth’s surface is water75% of the earth’s surface is water There are more aquatic biomes than terrestrial biomesThere are more aquatic biomes than terrestrial biomes

Marine Biomes The oceans have the largest amount of living material of all the biomes on earth (mainly microscopic)The oceans have the largest amount of living material of all the biomes on earth (mainly microscopic) Ecologists study the biomes of water in two zones: photic, aphoticEcologists study the biomes of water in two zones: photic, aphotic

Zones of aquatic regions Photic Zones: zones that are penetrated by sunlightPhotic Zones: zones that are penetrated by sunlight Aphotic Zones: zones that are not penetrated by sunlightAphotic Zones: zones that are not penetrated by sunlight

A Mixing of Waters Estuary: A coastal body of water which is formed by the mixing of saltwater and freshwaterEstuary: A coastal body of water which is formed by the mixing of saltwater and freshwater An estuary is an exceptional biomes because it contains a mix of saltwater and freshwater organismsAn estuary is an exceptional biomes because it contains a mix of saltwater and freshwater organisms Also contains terrestrial organismsAlso contains terrestrial organisms An estuary is a very intricate food webAn estuary is a very intricate food web

The effects of Tides Intertidal Zone: The portion of the shoreline that lies between the high and low tide linesIntertidal Zone: The portion of the shoreline that lies between the high and low tide lines “the beach”“the beach”

In the Light The majority of the organisms which live in the photic zones of the oceans are planktonThe majority of the organisms which live in the photic zones of the oceans are plankton Plankton: Small organisms which live in the photic zone including autotrophs (diatoms) and heterotrophs (juvenile stages of marine animals)Plankton: Small organisms which live in the photic zone including autotrophs (diatoms) and heterotrophs (juvenile stages of marine animals)

In the Dark The Abiotic region of the ocean makes up 90% of the ocean at more than a kilometer deepThe Abiotic region of the ocean makes up 90% of the ocean at more than a kilometer deep This region has no light and the pressure is 100 pounds per square centimeterThis region has no light and the pressure is 100 pounds per square centimeter Food Web: give exampleFood Web: give example

Freshwater Biomes Freshwater is limited by aphotic factors: temperature and lightingFreshwater is limited by aphotic factors: temperature and lighting Freshwater consists of different aphotic zones (indicated by temperatures that can be felt)Freshwater consists of different aphotic zones (indicated by temperatures that can be felt) Food Web: give exampleFood Web: give example

Terrestrial Biomes Arctic Zone, Temperate Zone, Tropic of Cancer, Tropical ZoneArctic Zone, Temperate Zone, Tropic of Cancer, Tropical Zone

Terrestrial Biomes Life on the TundraLife on the Tundra Life on the taigaLife on the taiga Life in the desertLife in the desert Life in the grasslandLife in the grassland Life in the Temperate ForestLife in the Temperate Forest Life in the Tropical Rain ForestsLife in the Tropical Rain Forests Food Web: give examplesFood Web: give examples

Review