Ecology. WHAT IS ECOLOGY? Ecology then means the Study of the “House” in which we live

EcologyEcology

WHAT IS ECOLOGY?WHAT IS ECOLOGY?

Ecology then means the Study of the Ecology then means the Study of the “House” in which we live. “House” in which we live.



Study of the interactions between Study of the interactions between organisms and the nonliving organisms and the nonliving components of their environment. components of their environment.



Study of the interactions between Study of the interactions between organisms and the nonliving organisms and the nonliving components of their environment. components of their environment.

(The Earth includes a tremendous (The Earth includes a tremendous variety of living things. Each variety of living things. Each organism depends in some way on organism depends in some way on other living and nonliving things in its other living and nonliving things in its environment.) environment.)

WHAT IS ECOLOGY?WHAT IS ECOLOGY? Ecology then means the Study of the Ecology then means the Study of the

“House” in which We Live. “House” in which We Live. Study of the Interactions between Study of the Interactions between

Organisms and the Nonliving Components Organisms and the Nonliving Components of their Environment. of their Environment.

(The Earth includes a tremendous variety of (The Earth includes a tremendous variety of living things. Each organism depends in living things. Each organism depends in some way on other living and nonliving some way on other living and nonliving things in its environment. )things in its environment. )

(Ecology involves collecting information (Ecology involves collecting information about organisms and their environment, about organisms and their environment, looking for patterns, and seeking to looking for patterns, and seeking to explain these patterns.)explain these patterns.)

BIOTIC AND ABIOTIC FACTORSBIOTIC AND ABIOTIC FACTORS

An Ecosystem possesses both LIVING An Ecosystem possesses both LIVING COMPONENTS OR COMPONENTS OR BIOTICBIOTIC FACTORS FACTORS and NONLIVING OR and NONLIVING OR ABIOTICABIOTIC FACTORS. FACTORS.

The Nonliving Factors, called The Nonliving Factors, called Abiotic FactorsAbiotic Factors

Physical and Chemical Physical and Chemical Characteristics of the environment. Characteristics of the environment.

They include Solar Energy (Amount They include Solar Energy (Amount of Sun Light), Oxygen, CO2, Water, of Sun Light), Oxygen, CO2, Water, Temperature, Humidity, pH, and Temperature, Humidity, pH, and availability of Nitrogen. availability of Nitrogen.

The Living Components of the The Living Components of the environment are calledenvironment are called

Biotic Factors Biotic Factors

They include all the Living Things They include all the Living Things that affect an organism. that affect an organism.

Biotic Components are often Biotic Components are often categorized as Producers, categorized as Producers, Consumers, and Decomposer. Consumers, and Decomposer.

All the things that go into an All the things that go into an EcosystemEcosystem

Earth's Biomes:Earth's Biomes:

very large geographical areas very large geographical areas described by their climate, soil, described by their climate, soil, floraflora, and , and faunafauna..

Terrestrial Biomes/Land biomesTerrestrial Biomes/Land biomes

TerrestrialTerrestrial biomes are described biomes are described the by their average rainfall, the by their average rainfall, temperature, and major plants temperature, and major plants and animals.and animals.


Terrestrial biomes are described Terrestrial biomes are described the by their average rainfall, the by their average rainfall, temperature, and major plants temperature, and major plants and animals.and animals.

Because environmental factors Because environmental factors change gradually over a landscape, change gradually over a landscape, biomes seldom have distinct biomes seldom have distinct boundaries. boundaries.


Terrestrial biomes are described Terrestrial biomes are described the by their average rainfall, the by their average rainfall, temperature, and major plants temperature, and major plants and animals.and animals.

Because environmental factors Because environmental factors change gradually over a landscape, change gradually over a landscape, biomes seldom have distinct biomes seldom have distinct boundaries. boundaries.

As climate varies, one biome As climate varies, one biome gradually changes into another. gradually changes into another.


Terrestrial biomes are described the by Terrestrial biomes are described the by their average rainfall, temperature, and their average rainfall, temperature, and major plants and animals.major plants and animals.

Because environmental factors change gradually Because environmental factors change gradually over a landscape, biomes seldom have distinct over a landscape, biomes seldom have distinct boundaries. boundaries.

As climate varies, one biome gradually changes As climate varies, one biome gradually changes into another. into another.

Your textbook lists eight "major" biomes and their Your textbook lists eight "major" biomes and their characteristics. characteristics.

(Scientists do not even agree on the number of (Scientists do not even agree on the number of terrestrial biomes represented on Earth.) terrestrial biomes represented on Earth.)


Tundra Tundra Arctic Tundra Arctic Tundra is found across is found across northern Alaska, northern Alaska, Canada, and Canada, and Siberia. Siberia.

This biome has This biome has long cold winters long cold winters and short cool and short cool summers. summers.

The Arctic tundra The Arctic tundra has low has low precipitation (less precipitation (less than 10 inches per than 10 inches per year) and dry year) and dry winds. winds.

These conditions These conditions make the Arctic make the Arctic tundra a desert-tundra a desert-like climate like climate

Tundra is dark greenTundra is dark green

One unique characteristic of the One unique characteristic of the Arctic tundra is Arctic tundra is permafrost permafrost

Permafrost is ground that is permanently Permafrost is ground that is permanently frozenfrozen

Because the permafrost has no cracks or Because the permafrost has no cracks or pores, nothing can penetrate it--neither pores, nothing can penetrate it--neither plant roots nor water. plant roots nor water.

The surface layer above the permafrost The surface layer above the permafrost thaws each summer- thaws each summer- active layeractive layer. .

Thickness of the active layer depends on Thickness of the active layer depends on its location in the tundra. its location in the tundra.

The more northerly the location, the The more northerly the location, the thinner the active layer is. thinner the active layer is.

Arctic Tundra: Animals Arctic Tundra: Animals

Not many kinds of Not many kinds of animals live year-round animals live year-round in the Arctic tundra. in the Arctic tundra.

Most birds and Most birds and mammals only use the mammals only use the tundra as a summer tundra as a summer home. home.

Arctic Tundra: AnimalsArctic Tundra: Animals

Animal adaptationsAnimal adaptations

Migration and hibernation Migration and hibernation are examples of behavioral are examples of behavioral adaptations used by adaptations used by animals in the Arctic animals in the Arctic tundra. tundra.

The fact that many animals The fact that many animals do not live year-round in do not live year-round in the tundra means they the tundra means they leave or migrate for a leave or migrate for a length of time to warmer length of time to warmer climates. climates.

Arctic Tundra: AnimalsArctic Tundra: Animals Hibernation is a combination of Hibernation is a combination of

behavioral and physical behavioral and physical adaptations. adaptations.

For example, during the For example, during the summer the brown bear's summer the brown bear's behavior is to eat just about behavior is to eat just about anything it can find; then it anything it can find; then it hibernates, or sleeps, during hibernates, or sleeps, during the winter. the winter.

The bear's physical adaptation The bear's physical adaptation allows the food eaten during allows the food eaten during the summer to be stored as a the summer to be stored as a layer of fat underneath its skin. layer of fat underneath its skin.

The layer of fat insulates the The layer of fat insulates the bear from the cold. While in bear from the cold. While in hibernation the fat is slowly hibernation the fat is slowly converted into energy that converted into energy that maintains life. maintains life.

A physical adaptation used by the A physical adaptation used by the Musk Ox Musk Ox

A physical adaptation A physical adaptation used by the Musk Ox is used by the Musk Ox is the growth of two layers of the growth of two layers of fur--one short and the fur--one short and the other long. other long.

Air is trapped in the short Air is trapped in the short layer of fur and is warmed layer of fur and is warmed by body heat. by body heat.

The warmed air, trapped The warmed air, trapped close to the body, acts as close to the body, acts as insulation from the cold. insulation from the cold.

The layer of long fur The layer of long fur protects the Musk Ox from protects the Musk Ox from the wind and water. the wind and water.

A physical adaptation used by the A physical adaptation used by the Musk Ox Musk Ox

In addition to thick In addition to thick layers of fur, the Musk layers of fur, the Musk Ox relies on another Ox relies on another physical adaptation to physical adaptation to help it survive. help it survive.

The hooves of the The hooves of the Musk Ox are large and Musk Ox are large and hard. During the hard. During the winter months, this winter months, this adaptation allows the adaptation allows the Musk Ox to break the Musk Ox to break the ice and drink the ice and drink the water underneath. water underneath.

Arctic Tundra: PlantsArctic Tundra: Plants Only plants with shallow Only plants with shallow

root systems grow in root systems grow in the Arctic tundra the Arctic tundra because the permafrost because the permafrost prevents plants from prevents plants from sending their roots sending their roots down past the active down past the active layer of soil. layer of soil.

The active layer of soil The active layer of soil is free from ice for only is free from ice for only 50 to 90 days. 50 to 90 days.

Arctic Tundra: PlantsArctic Tundra: Plants

Arctic plants have a very short growing Arctic plants have a very short growing season. season.

However, in spite of the severe conditions However, in spite of the severe conditions and the short growing season, there are and the short growing season, there are approximately 1,700 kinds of plants that approximately 1,700 kinds of plants that live in the Arctic tundra. live in the Arctic tundra.

mosses, lichens, low-growing shrubs, and mosses, lichens, low-growing shrubs, and grasses--but no trees. grasses--but no trees.

"tundra" is a Finnish word which means "tundra" is a Finnish word which means "treeless". "treeless".

Arctic Tundra: Arctic Tundra: Plant AdaptationsPlant Adaptations

Growing close together and low to the Growing close together and low to the ground. ground.

This growing pattern helps the plant This growing pattern helps the plant resist the effects of cold temperatures resist the effects of cold temperatures and reduce the damage caused by the and reduce the damage caused by the impact of tiny particles of ice and snow impact of tiny particles of ice and snow that are driven by the dry winds. that are driven by the dry winds.

reindeer mossreindeer moss

Cottongrass Cottongrass

Labrador teaLabrador tea

Reindeer on the tundraReindeer on the tundra

Tundra- the endTundra- the end

Ol' MOSSY HORNS!Ol' MOSSY HORNS! He either neutered He either neutered

himself jumping over a himself jumping over a fence or his privates fence or his privates never developed. never developed.

Either way the end Either way the end result was a very result was a very untypical growth of his untypical growth of his horns. horns.

The imbalance in The imbalance in hormones seems to hormones seems to have prevented him have prevented him from dropping his horns from dropping his horns each season.each season.

Temperate Deciduous ForestTemperate Deciduous Forest

Temperate Deciduous ForestTemperate Deciduous Forest Mid-latitude temperate forests have Mid-latitude temperate forests have

both a warm and a cold season. both a warm and a cold season. Precipitation ranges from 30 to 60 Precipitation ranges from 30 to 60

inchesinches Much of the human population lives Much of the human population lives

in this biome. in this biome. Although evergreens are found in Although evergreens are found in

this biome, this biome is this biome, this biome is characterized by an abundance of characterized by an abundance of deciduous trees. deciduous trees.


Just as the name implies, these deciduous Just as the name implies, these deciduous trees shed their leaves each fall. trees shed their leaves each fall.

Lying on the forest floor, the leaves decay. Lying on the forest floor, the leaves decay. As the leaves decompose, the nutrients As the leaves decompose, the nutrients contained in the leaves are absorbed by contained in the leaves are absorbed by the soil. the soil.

The soils of this biome tend to be very The soils of this biome tend to be very fertile. Because this biome has fertile soil fertile. Because this biome has fertile soil and a long, 5 to 6 month, growing season, and a long, 5 to 6 month, growing season, many deciduous forests have been many deciduous forests have been converted into agricultural regions.converted into agricultural regions.

Temperate Deciduous Forest: Temperate Deciduous Forest: PlantsPlants

Temperate Deciduous Forest: Temperate Deciduous Forest: FloraFlora

Deciduous" means Deciduous" means to fall off, or shed, to fall off, or shed, seasonally. seasonally.



Temperate Deciduous Forest: Temperate Deciduous Forest: AnimalsAnimals

A wide variety of A wide variety of mammals, birds, mammals, birds, insects, and insects, and reptiles can be reptiles can be found in a found in a temperate forest temperate forest biome. biome.

Animal Adaptations Animal Adaptations While a wide variety of birds migrate, many of the While a wide variety of birds migrate, many of the

mammals hibernate during the cold winter mammals hibernate during the cold winter months when food is in short supply. months when food is in short supply.

Temperate Deciduous Forest: Temperate Deciduous Forest: AnimalsAnimals

Animal Adaptations Animal Adaptations Another behavioral Another behavioral

adaptation some animals adaptation some animals have adopted is food have adopted is food storage. The nuts and storage. The nuts and seeds that are plentiful seeds that are plentiful during the summer are during the summer are gathered by squirrels, gathered by squirrels, chipmunks, and some chipmunks, and some jays, and are stored in jays, and are stored in the hollows of trees for the hollows of trees for use during the winter use during the winter months. months.

Cold temperatures help Cold temperatures help prevent the prevent the decomposition of the decomposition of the nuts and seeds. nuts and seeds.

Fauna:Fauna: Temperate Deciduous Temperate Deciduous ForestForest

North American herbivores include white-North American herbivores include white-tail deer, gray squirrel, and chipmunk. tail deer, gray squirrel, and chipmunk.

OmnivoresOmnivores include raccoon, opossum, include raccoon, opossum, skunk, and black bear. skunk, and black bear.

CarnivoresCarnivores have been largely eliminated have been largely eliminated through the deliberate effort of humans through the deliberate effort of humans but should include timber wolves, but should include timber wolves, mountain lions, and bobcats. The coyote, mountain lions, and bobcats. The coyote, native to the western grasslands and native to the western grasslands and deserts, has recently dispersed east and deserts, has recently dispersed east and taken over the taken over the nicheniche of its departed of its departed cousin, the timber wolf. cousin, the timber wolf.

Fauna:Fauna: Temperate Temperate Deciduous Deciduous

ForestForest

Fauna:Fauna: Temperate Deciduous Temperate Deciduous ForestForest

Animal Animal AdaptationsAdaptationsMigration and Migration and hibernation are two hibernation are two adaptations used adaptations used by the animals in by the animals in this biome. this biome.


Desert or Desert or Desertscrub Desertscrub

Depending on its Depending on its geographical geographical location, the annual location, the annual precipitation in a precipitation in a desert varies from desert varies from half an inch to as half an inch to as much as 15 inches. much as 15 inches.

Deserts cover about one fifth of the Deserts cover about one fifth of the Earth’s surface Earth’s surface

DesertDesert Deserts can be either hot such as the Deserts can be either hot such as the

Australian Desert or cold such as the Gobi Australian Desert or cold such as the Gobi Desert Desert

DesertDesert: Climates of the Earth: Climates of the Earth

Deserts of North AmericaDeserts of North America

Mohave Desert Sonoran Desert Chihuahuan Desert Great Basin Desert

Desert: Animals Desert: Animals

deserts are home to deserts are home to many reptiles, many reptiles, insects, birds, and insects, birds, and small mammalssmall mammals

DesertDesert: Animal adaptations: Animal adaptations The most universal behavioral adaptation The most universal behavioral adaptation

used by small mammals, reptiles, and used by small mammals, reptiles, and insects to deal with high temperatures is insects to deal with high temperatures is staying in the shadow of plants or rocksstaying in the shadow of plants or rocks

These animals also seek shelter by These animals also seek shelter by burrowing into the ground. burrowing into the ground.

Another behavioral adaptation used by Another behavioral adaptation used by desert animals is to remain inactive during desert animals is to remain inactive during the hot daylight hours. the hot daylight hours.

They hunt at night when temperatures are They hunt at night when temperatures are cool and when there is less risk of losing cool and when there is less risk of losing precious body water- precious body water- nocturnalnocturnal. .

Some animals get all of the water they Some animals get all of the water they need from the insects, bulbs, and seeds need from the insects, bulbs, and seeds they eat. they eat.

Desert: Plants Desert: Plants

Short grasses, sagebrush, creosote Short grasses, sagebrush, creosote bushes, and cacti bushes, and cacti

Desert: Plant adaptations Desert: Plant adaptations

Because of the dry climate, plants have Because of the dry climate, plants have developed a number of different methods developed a number of different methods of capturing water. of capturing water.

Some plants have developed long (20-30 Some plants have developed long (20-30 foot) foot) taproots taproots that go deep into the ground that go deep into the ground and tap into groundwater sources. and tap into groundwater sources.

Horizontal root systemsHorizontal root systems lie just below the lie just below the surface and extend far beyond the plant surface and extend far beyond the plant canopy. When it rains the numerous tiny canopy. When it rains the numerous tiny roots capture the water. roots capture the water.


Another common physical Another common physical adaptation is the ability of adaptation is the ability of desert plants to store desert plants to store water in their roots, water in their roots, stems, leaves, or fruit. stems, leaves, or fruit.

Plants that store water in Plants that store water in this way are referred to as this way are referred to as succulentssucculents, and they , and they include cacti. include cacti.


Desert plants retain moisture by limiting water loss Desert plants retain moisture by limiting water loss through their leaf surface. through their leaf surface.

Many plants accomplish this by adapting the size, Many plants accomplish this by adapting the size, sheen, or texture of their leaves. sheen, or texture of their leaves.

Small leaves or spines limit the amount of surface Small leaves or spines limit the amount of surface area exposed to the drying heat. area exposed to the drying heat.

Glossy leaves reflect the Sun's radiant heat Glossy leaves reflect the Sun's radiant heat reducing leaf temperatures and evaporation reducing leaf temperatures and evaporation rates. rates.

Waxy leaves prevent moisture from escaping. Waxy leaves prevent moisture from escaping. Water escapes from leaves through the stomata, Water escapes from leaves through the stomata, or leaf pores. or leaf pores.

A behavioral adaptation used by some plants is to A behavioral adaptation used by some plants is to only open leaf pores during the night when air only open leaf pores during the night when air temperature is cool and evaporation rate is low. temperature is cool and evaporation rate is low.

DesertDesert

DesertDesert

Camel Spiders in the Desert of IraqCamel Spiders in the Desert of Iraq

Tropical ForestTropical Forest The tropical rainforest The tropical rainforest

is a hot, moist biome is a hot, moist biome found near Earth's found near Earth's equator. equator.

Tropical rainforests Tropical rainforests receive from 60 to receive from 60 to 160 inches of 160 inches of precipitation annuallyprecipitation annually

Tropical rainforests Tropical rainforests contain the greatest contain the greatest biodiversity in the biodiversity in the world. world.

15 million species of 15 million species of plants and animals plants and animals live within this biome. live within this biome.

Tropical Rainforest: AnimalsTropical Rainforest: Animals

One of the reasons for this great variety of One of the reasons for this great variety of animals is the constant warmth. animals is the constant warmth.

Tropical rainforests also provide a nearly Tropical rainforests also provide a nearly constant supply of water and a wide variety constant supply of water and a wide variety of food for the animals. of food for the animals.

monkeys, birds, snakes, rodents, frogs, and monkeys, birds, snakes, rodents, frogs, and lizards are common in the tropical rainforest. lizards are common in the tropical rainforest.

Many of these animals and a multitude of Many of these animals and a multitude of insects never set foot on the ground. insects never set foot on the ground.

The animals use the tall trees and understory The animals use the tall trees and understory for shelter, hiding places from their for shelter, hiding places from their predators, and a source of food. predators, and a source of food.

Tropical Rain ForestTropical Rain Forest

Toucans have adapted Toucans have adapted by developing long, by developing long, large bill. large bill.

This adaptation allows This adaptation allows this bird to reach fruit this bird to reach fruit on branches that are on branches that are too small to support too small to support the bird's weight. the bird's weight.

The bill also is used to The bill also is used to cut the fruit from the cut the fruit from the tree. tree.

Tropical Rainforest: PlantsTropical Rainforest: Plants Although tropical Although tropical

rainforests receive 12 rainforests receive 12 hours of sunlight daily, less hours of sunlight daily, less than 2% of that sunlight than 2% of that sunlight ever reaches the ground. ever reaches the ground.

The tropical rainforest has The tropical rainforest has dense vegetation, often dense vegetation, often forming three different forming three different layers--the canopy, the layers--the canopy, the understory, and the ground understory, and the ground layer. layer.

Tropical Rainforest: Plant Tropical Rainforest: Plant adaptationadaptation

Plant survival in a Plant survival in a tropical rainforest tropical rainforest depends on the plant's depends on the plant's ability to tolerate ability to tolerate constant shade or to constant shade or to adapt strategies to adapt strategies to reach sunlight. reach sunlight.

Fungus is a good Fungus is a good example of an example of an organism that organism that flourishes in warm, flourishes in warm, dark places created by dark places created by the forest canopy and the forest canopy and understory. understory.

Temperate Coniferous ForestTemperate Coniferous Forest or or TaigaTaiga

This is where you live!!!


boreal forestboreal forest oror taigataiga. . The taiga biome is found in the The taiga biome is found in the

northern hemisphere close to the northern hemisphere close to the polar region. polar region.

This cold biome stretches across the This cold biome stretches across the northern portions of North America, northern portions of North America, Europe, and Asia. Europe, and Asia.


Winters are long and cold, and the Winters are long and cold, and the summers are short and cool. summers are short and cool.

Precipitation is moderately high Precipitation is moderately high throughout the year with snow throughout the year with snow occurring during the winter months. occurring during the winter months.


Taiga or boreal forest is home to Taiga or boreal forest is home to thriving mossesthriving mosses

Taiga: AnimalsTaiga: Animals

moose, deer, and moose, deer, and bears, bobcats, bears, bobcats, squirrels, chipmunks, squirrels, chipmunks, ermine, and moles. ermine, and moles.

Taiga: AnimalsTaiga: Animals

Animal adaptationsAnimal adaptationsMost animals migrate to warmer climates Most animals migrate to warmer climates once the cold weather begins. once the cold weather begins.

Some animals have adapted to life in the Some animals have adapted to life in the taiga by hibernating when temperatures taiga by hibernating when temperatures drop. drop.

Other animals have adapted to the Other animals have adapted to the extreme cold temperatures by producing a extreme cold temperatures by producing a layer of insulating feathers or fur to layer of insulating feathers or fur to protect them from the cold. protect them from the cold.

Taiga: Taiga: seasonal changeseasonal change adaptation of a seasonal adaptation of a seasonal

change in color of feathers change in color of feathers or fur protects the animal or fur protects the animal from its predatorsfrom its predators

The ermine, a small The ermine, a small mammal, is a good example mammal, is a good example of this adaptation. Its dark of this adaptation. Its dark brown summer coat brown summer coat changes to white in the changes to white in the winter. This adaptation winter. This adaptation helps the ermine blend into helps the ermine blend into its surroundings and makes its surroundings and makes it more difficult for the it more difficult for the ermine's predators to spot ermine's predators to spot them. them.

Taiga: Plants Taiga: Plants

conifer-trees that have conifer-trees that have cones. cones.

Three of the common Three of the common conifers are evergreens; conifers are evergreens; spruce, fir, and pine. spruce, fir, and pine.

broadleaf trees- birch broadleaf trees- birch and aspenand aspen

Temperate Coniferous ForestTemperate Coniferous Forest or or TaigaTaiga Larch/Tamarack Larch/Tamarack

The fourth common conifer is the tamarack, or larch, a deciduous tree.The fourth common conifer is the tamarack, or larch, a deciduous tree.


Plant adaptationsPlant adaptations Growing new leaves takes a lot of Growing new leaves takes a lot of

energy. energy. By keeping their leaves, the By keeping their leaves, the

evergreens are able to use that evergreens are able to use that limited energy for structural growth limited energy for structural growth rather than producing leaves. rather than producing leaves.


Spruce-bog of the taiga.Spruce-bog of the taiga.

Typical glacial lake of the taigaTypical glacial lake of the taiga

SavannaSavanna

A savanna is a rolling grassland A savanna is a rolling grassland scattered with shrubs and isolated scattered with shrubs and isolated trees, which can be found between a trees, which can be found between a tropical rainforest and desert biome. tropical rainforest and desert biome. Not enough rain falls on a savanna to Not enough rain falls on a savanna to support forests. Savannas are also support forests. Savannas are also known as tropical grasslands. They are known as tropical grasslands. They are found in a wide band on either side of found in a wide band on either side of the equator on the edges of tropical the equator on the edges of tropical rainforests.rainforests.

SavannaSavanna

SavannaSavanna

Savannas have warm temperature year Savannas have warm temperature year round. There are actually two very different round. There are actually two very different seasons in a savanna; a very long dry seasons in a savanna; a very long dry season (winter), and a very wet season season (winter), and a very wet season (summer). In the dry season only an (summer). In the dry season only an average of about 4 inches of rain falls. average of about 4 inches of rain falls. Between December and February no rain Between December and February no rain will fall at all. Oddly enough, it is actually a will fall at all. Oddly enough, it is actually a little cooler during this dry season. But little cooler during this dry season. But don't expect sweater weather; it is still don't expect sweater weather; it is still around 70° F.around 70° F.

SavannaSavanna

In the summer there is lots of rain. In Africa the In the summer there is lots of rain. In Africa the monsoon rains begin in May. An average of 15 to monsoon rains begin in May. An average of 15 to 25 inches of rain falls during this time. It gets hot 25 inches of rain falls during this time. It gets hot and very humid during the rainy season. Every and very humid during the rainy season. Every day the hot, humid air rises off the ground and day the hot, humid air rises off the ground and collides with cooler air above and turns into rain. collides with cooler air above and turns into rain. In the afternoons on the summer savanna the In the afternoons on the summer savanna the rains pour down for hours. African savannas have rains pour down for hours. African savannas have large herds of grazing and browsing hoofed large herds of grazing and browsing hoofed animals. Each animal has a specialized eating animals. Each animal has a specialized eating habit that reduces compitition for food.habit that reduces compitition for food.

SavannaSavanna

SavannaSavanna

SavannaSavanna

There are several different types of savannas There are several different types of savannas around the world. The savannas we are most around the world. The savannas we are most familiar with are the East African savannas familiar with are the East African savannas covered with acacia trees. The Serengeti Plains of covered with acacia trees. The Serengeti Plains of Tanzania are some of the most well known. Here Tanzania are some of the most well known. Here animals like lions, zebras, elephants, and giraffes animals like lions, zebras, elephants, and giraffes and many types of ungulates(animals with and many types of ungulates(animals with hooves) graze and hunt. Many large grass-eating hooves) graze and hunt. Many large grass-eating mammals (herbivores) can survive here because mammals (herbivores) can survive here because they can move around and eat the plentiful they can move around and eat the plentiful grasses. There are also lots of carnivores (meat grasses. There are also lots of carnivores (meat eaters) who eat them in turn.eaters) who eat them in turn.

SavannaSavanna

Savanna PlantsSavanna Plants

Savanna AnimalsSavanna Animals

Temperate GrasslandsTemperate Grasslands




ChaparralChaparral

ChaparralChaparral

The chaparral biome is found in a The chaparral biome is found in a little bit of most of the continents - little bit of most of the continents - the west coast of the United States, the west coast of the United States, the west coast of South America, the the west coast of South America, the Cape Town area of South Africa, the Cape Town area of South Africa, the western tip of Australia and the western tip of Australia and the coastal areas of the Mediterranean. coastal areas of the Mediterranean.

ChaparralChaparral

ChaparralChaparral

Lay of the land: The chaparral biome Lay of the land: The chaparral biome has many different types of terrain. has many different types of terrain. Some examples are flat plains, rocky Some examples are flat plains, rocky hills and mountain slopes. It is hills and mountain slopes. It is sometimes used in movies for the sometimes used in movies for the "Wild West"."Wild West".

Most chaparral areas formed where humans once destroyed Most chaparral areas formed where humans once destroyed forests and ruined soil. Because these forests could not regrow in forests and ruined soil. Because these forests could not regrow in the nutrient poor soil, chaparral plants took over. Most of the the nutrient poor soil, chaparral plants took over. Most of the Macchia was formed this way. Although scientists believe that Macchia was formed this way. Although scientists believe that the Macchia probably always existed on the Mediterranean the Macchia probably always existed on the Mediterranean coast, it later took over inland regions and mountain slopes only coast, it later took over inland regions and mountain slopes only after forests were destroyed by humans. More than 3,000 years after forests were destroyed by humans. More than 3,000 years ago as the Mediterranean became more populated, people ago as the Mediterranean became more populated, people started rapidly cutting down forests to use the land for grazing started rapidly cutting down forests to use the land for grazing their animals. The land was eventually over-grazed the soil lost their animals. The land was eventually over-grazed the soil lost all of its nutrients. With no plants left to hold the soil together, it all of its nutrients. With no plants left to hold the soil together, it was easily eroded away by wind and rain. This was when the was easily eroded away by wind and rain. This was when the Macchia took over the thin, almost desert-like soil. Succession Macchia took over the thin, almost desert-like soil. Succession caused by humans put the Macchia right into the climax stage, caused by humans put the Macchia right into the climax stage, where it thrives today. where it thrives today.

ChaparralChaparral

Chaparral is characterized as being Chaparral is characterized as being very hot and dry. As for the very hot and dry. As for the temperature, the winter is very mild temperature, the winter is very mild and is usually about 10 °C. Then and is usually about 10 °C. Then there is the summer. It is so hot and there is the summer. It is so hot and dry at 40 °C that fires and droughts dry at 40 °C that fires and droughts are very common.are very common.

ChaparralChaparral

Fortunately, the plants and animals Fortunately, the plants and animals are adapted to these conditions. are adapted to these conditions. Most of the plants have small, hard Most of the plants have small, hard leaves which hold moisture. Some of leaves which hold moisture. Some of these plants are poison oak, scrub these plants are poison oak, scrub oak, Yucca Wiple and other shrubs, oak, Yucca Wiple and other shrubs, trees and cacti.trees and cacti.

Chaparral PlantsChaparral Plants

Chaparral AnimalsChaparral Animals

The animals are all mainly grassland The animals are all mainly grassland and desert types adapted to hot, dry and desert types adapted to hot, dry weather. A few examples: coyotes, weather. A few examples: coyotes, jack rabbits, mule deer, alligator jack rabbits, mule deer, alligator lizards, horned toads, praying lizards, horned toads, praying mantis, honey bee and ladybugs.mantis, honey bee and ladybugs.

Chaparral AnimalsChaparral Animals

Ocean ZonesOcean Zones Marine regions cover Marine regions cover

about three-fourths of about three-fourths of the Earth’s surface and the Earth’s surface and include oceans, coral include oceans, coral reefs, and estuaries. reefs, and estuaries.

Marine algae supply Marine algae supply much of the world’s much of the world’s oxygen supply and take oxygen supply and take in a huge amount of in a huge amount of atmospheric carbon atmospheric carbon dioxide. dioxide.

The evaporation of the The evaporation of the seawater provides seawater provides rainwater for the land. rainwater for the land.

Freshwater wetlandsFreshwater wetlands

The endThe end

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Ecology. WHAT IS ECOLOGY? Ecology then means the Study of the “House” in which we live