1. Biomes and aquatic Ecosystems
Begin with a padlet review of aquatic ecosystems – what do you remember?
Unit 4: The Biosphere

2. Remember, these are primarily dictated by latitude (and therefore climate)

3. Tundra Below polar ice caps No trees Frozen soil (permafrost)
Often characterized by their vegetation

4. Boreal Forest or Taiga South of Tundra, evergreen forest No permafrost
Short summers

5. Temperate Forest Broad- leaved, deciduous trees Four seasons
Woodland animals (bears)

6. Temperate Shrubland or Chaparral
Less rainfall than temperate forests
Dominated by shrubs (California)

7. Temperate Grassland Fertile soils – to support grasses
Drought, grazers, and fires prevent it from becoming a forest
Example: prairie

8. Desert Evaporation exceeds precipitation Cactus Lizards
Home to lots of animals!

9. Tropical Savanna Grasses and scattered trees Minimal precipitation
Lions and zebras

10. Tropical Rain Forest Warm temperatures, lots of rain
Highest species diversity
Canopy v. understory

11. Other Terrestrial Areas
Mountains – climate changes as altitude changes
Communities resemble that of the tundra at the top
Polar regions – cold all year, covered in ice

12. Aquatic Ecosystems - Overview
Freshwater
Transitional (“brackish”)
Marine (salty)

13. Freshwater Ecosystems
Rivers and streams – water flows in one direction, carries sediment, cause erosion
Plants and animals must be able to withstand water currents
Lakes and ponds – standing water, vary greatly in size
Seasonal patterns (next slide)

15. Transitional Ecosystems
Brackish water – between salty and fresh
Wetlands – marshes, swamps, and bogs
High levels of diversity but…
Often anoxic, usually pretty salty (adaptations)
Estuaries – where salt water meets fresh!

16. Marine Ecosystems – Salt Water
Intertidal Zone – where ocean meets land
Wave and tide action
Persistent organisms
Coastal ocean and coral reefs
Very diverse (next slide)
Very subject to human disturbances
Open ocean
Photic zone – where light reaches
Phytoplankton