Unit B: Sustainable Ecosystems and Human Activity Chapter 2: Understanding Ecosystems 2.9: On Land or in Water? Pg. 60 Biomes: large geographical regions defined by climate with a specific set of biotic and abiotic features. Watershed: the land area drained by a particular river or lake; also called a drainage basin. Biomes Earth is made up of many different biomes each with their own climate patterns and specific sets of biotic and abiotic features. Desert, Coral Reef, tundra, and tropical rain forests biomes are common and have distinct features. Each biome can contain different ecosystems. Terrestrial Biomes Terrestrial biomes are located and make up are determined by their climate. Temperature and precipitation have the greatest influence on the make up of a biome. Canada s Biomes Canada has five major biomes: tundra, boreal forest, mountain forest, grassland, and temperate deciduous forest.
Canada Biomes (Exam) Tundra Northernmost part of Canada Abiotic Low temps (very cold) Short growing season Permafrost layer Poor soil quality, not much grows Biotic Rapid flowering plants Mosses and lichens Caribou, fox, lemmings
Boreal Forest Northern Ontario (Largest biome) Abiotic Warmer than tundra (no permafrost) More precipitation Permafrost layer Biotic Coniferous trees (Christmas trees) Squirrels, birds, hares, black bears, wolves
Mountain Forest British Columbia Abiotic Temps vary with elevation Cool summers/windy Short growing season Fast flowing rivers Lots of precipitation on the windy side of the mountain Biotic Large coniferous tree Ferns Squirrels, elk, black/grizzly bears Cougar Temperate Deciduous Forest Southern Ontario
Abiotic Longer growing season Higher temps Fertile soil Good amount of precipitation Biotic Deciduous trees (eg. maple trees) and other flowering plants Squirrels, insects, black bears Deer, hummingbirds, weasels Abiotic Longer growing season than the boreal forest Higher temp than boreal and tundra Rich, fertile soil More precipitation than tundra and boreal Grasslands The Prairies Biotic Grasses Grasshoppers, bison, snakes, hawks, coyotes
Figure 5: The plants in a temperate deciduous forest biome include canopy trees, under storey trees, shrubs, and ground vegetation.
Figure 6: Canada s Biomes
Aquatic Ecosystems Water covers over two-thirds of the planet. 97 % of the water is saltwater. There are two categories of aquatic ecosystems; freshwater and saltwater (marine). Freshwater Ecosystems Freshwater ecosystems: rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds. Rivers and streams are unique ecosystems because the water is continuously moving down stream. Organisms that live in these ecosystems will either swim or attach themselves to rocks or the bottom for survival. Lakes and pond ecosystems have stationary water lakes are deep and clear, while ponds are shallow and murky. Other wetlands; such as, bogs, marshes are large areas of shallow water or saturated soil. Marshes perform a vital role, by filtering water. There is a high level of nutrients, and a wide range of species; such as, birds, fish, amphibians, and insects. Watersheds The land that is drained by streams and rivers, and fills lakes is called a watershed. The St. Lawrence lowlands is a land area where the water runs downstream from streams, rivers, into the lakes and out to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. If pollution should enter the watershed, it will pollute areas downstream.
Figure 8: Watersheds must be managed to keep them healthy and pollution-free. Marine Ecosystems Marine ecosystems make up 70 % of the Earth s surface in the form of oceans. Water from the oceans is evaporated into the air making up part of the water cycle. Oxygen comes from organisms that photosynthesize; half of the production comes from organisms that live in the oceans. Coral Reefs - found in warm shallow oceans - home to a large number of organisms - Very sensitive to temperature, acidity, and pollution
Estuaries - composed of both saltwater and freshwater - partially enclosed bodies of water - high in nutrients - support many different shellfish; such as, calms and scallops - Largest estuary is the Gulf of St. Lawrence Mangrove Forests - found along tropical and semitropical shorelines - Trees are adapted to live at and beyond the water s edge. - Area acts as nurseries to may young fish - Protects shoreline from storm damage
Check Your Learning: Questions 1 4, pg. 64 Wrap Up: - A large region with a particular climate and a characteristic community or plants and animals is called a biome. - Terrestrial ecosystems are on land and have distinctive biotic and abiotic features. - Aquatic ecosystems can be freshwater or marine.
Chapter 2 Summary 1. Energy passes through ecosystems, but matter cycles within ecosystems 2. Energy is passed through ecosystems when organisms eat other organisms 3. Energy is lost to the environment as thermal/heat energy 4. Photosynthesis (plants take carbon dioxide and light to make oxygen and sugars) and respiration (animals and humans breathe in oxygen and use sugars to make carbon dioxide, water and energy) are processes that work together 5. Aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems are strongly influenced by their abiotic environment
6. Abiotic (temperature and precipitation) are important in terrestrial ecosystems 7. Abiotic (temperature and salt concentration) are important in aquatic ecosystems