1. Chapter 21
Ecosystems
Table of Contents
Section 1 Terrestrial Biomes Section 2 Aquatic Ecosystems

2. Objectives Identify the eight major biomes. Compare tundra with taiga.
Section 1 Terrestrial Biomes
Chapter 21
Objectives
Identify the eight major biomes.
Compare tundra with taiga.
Compare the different kinds of forests.
Compare the different kinds of grasslands.
Describe the adaptations of desert organisms.

3. Biome
Large terrestrial ecosystems that contain a number of smaller but related ecosystems.
Similar climate and inhabitants with similar adaptations.
Commonly identified by their dominant plant life.

4. Section 1 Terrestrial Biomes
Chapter 21
The Major Biomes
The major types of terrestrial ecosystems, known as biomes, are:
Tundra
Tropical forest
Temperate forest
Taiga
Temperate grassland
Savanna
Chaparral
Desert

5. Section 1 Terrestrial Biomes
Chapter 21
Earth’s Major Biomes

6. Section 1 Terrestrial Biomes
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Tundra
Tundra is a cold and largely treeless biome characterized by permafrost under the surface of the ground.
Small plants (mosses, grasses)
Caribou, musk oxen, snowy owls, arctic, foxes, lemmings, and snowshoe hares. (Summer: birds, insects).

7. Section 1 Terrestrial Biomes
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Tundra

8. Forests Tropical Forests Chapter 21
Section 1 Terrestrial Biomes
Chapter 21
Forests
Tropical Forests
Tropical forests receive abundant rainfall and have stable temperatures.
They have a greater species richness than any other biome.
Tropical Rain Forests
Tropical Dry Forests

9. Competition for Light
Canopy: continuous layer of tree tops that shades the for forest floor.
Epiphytes: small plants that live on tree branches (mosses, orchids, bromeliads)
Use other organisms for support but make their own food.

10. Species Richness
Highest of all biomes- contain about ½ of the worlds species!
One hectar of tropical rain forest – 300 species of trees.
Monkeys, snakes, lizards, birds, insects

11. Section 1 Terrestrial Biomes
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Tropical Rain Forest

12. Forests, continued Temperate Forests Chapter 21
Section 1 Terrestrial Biomes
Chapter 21
Forests, continued
Temperate Forests
Distinct seasons and moderate climate.
Temperate forests have coniferous trees, which bear seeds in cones, or deciduous trees, which shed their leaves each year.

13. Forests, continued Temperate Deciduous Forests Chapter 21
Section 1 Terrestrial Biomes
Chapter 21
Forests, continued
Temperate Deciduous Forests
The trees in temperate deciduous forests shed all of their leaves in the fall.
Deciduous trees have broad thin leaves with a large surface area that permits maximum light absorption.
Birch, beech, maple, oak, hickory, sycamore, elm, willow, and cottonwood.
Bears, wolves, white-tailed deer, foxes, raccoons, squirrels.
Timber used for construction.

14. Temperate Deciduous Forest
Section 1 Terrestrial Biomes
Chapter 21
Temperate Deciduous Forest

15. Forests, continued Taiga (boreal forest) Chapter 21
Section 1 Terrestrial Biomes
Chapter 21
Forests, continued
Taiga (boreal forest)
Taiga is cold but is warmer than tundra and receives more precipitation.
Taiga is dominated by coniferous forests.
Needle shape of leaves reduces water loss.
Moose, bear, wolves, lynxes, hares.

16. Section 1 Terrestrial Biomes
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Taiga

17. Grasslands Temperate Grasslands Chapter 21
Section 1 Terrestrial Biomes
Chapter 21
Grasslands
Temperate Grasslands
Temperate grasslands occur in areas with cold winters and hot summers.
They are dominated by grasses and herds of grazing animals. (Bison)

18. Grasslands, continued Savanna Chapter 21
Section 1 Terrestrial Biomes
Chapter 21
Grasslands, continued
Savanna
Savannas are tropical grasslands with alternating wet and dry seasons.
Scattered deciduous trees and shrubs.
They are dominated by herds of grazing animals. (herbivores: zebras, wildebeests, giraffes, gazelles, carnivores: lions, leopards, cheetahs)

19. Section 1 Terrestrial Biomes
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Savanna

20. Grasslands, continued Chaparral Chapter 21
Section 1 Terrestrial Biomes
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Grasslands, continued
Chaparral
Chaparral is found in coastal regions with warm, dry summers and mild winters.
It is dominated by dense, spiny shrubs.

21. Section 1 Terrestrial Biomes
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Grassland

22. Section 1 Terrestrial Biomes
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Deserts
Deserts receive less than 25 cm (9.9 in.) of precipitation per year.
Desert inhabitants have adaptations for conserving water.
Plants
leaves with waxy coating
Few stomata (openings in leaves) and open at night
Expandable body and needles for protection.
Animals
that hide in the shade or burrow
one active only at night.

23. Section 1 Terrestrial Biomes
Chapter 21
Desert