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Ecosystems
Composition of an Ecosystem An ecosystem (short for ecological system) is an
ecological community together with its environment, functioning as a unit. Climate Soils Vegetation Wildlife People
All ecosystems are "open" systems in the sense that energy and matter are transferred in and out.
Composition of an Ecosystem A combination of biotic, abiotic, and
cultural factors lead to many different types of ecosystems. Grassland Rainforest Desert Coniferous Forest Deciduous Forest
Composition of an Ecosystem Biotic Factors (living)
Plants Animals Microorganisms
Abiotic Factors (non-living) Air Water Rocks Energy
Cultural Factors People
Composition of an Ecosystem Lined up in a spectrum, a tropical rainforest is
at one end and a desert is at the other end
Rainforest = high temperature + high precipitation Deciduous Forest = warm temperature + high
precip. Coniferous Forest = cool temperature + high
precip. Grasslands = warm temperature + moderate precip. Desert = any temperature + low precip.
Composition of an Ecosystem Climate has the greatest influence on
ecosystems Polar
Mid-Latitude
Sub-Tropical
Tropical
Composition of an Ecosystem
The tundra is a biome of short vegetation growing in climatically stressed environments of the Arctic and Antarctic and on mountaintops.
The boreal coniferous forest (or taiga) is extensive in northern regions of Canada, Alaska, and Eurasia.
The temperate deciduous forest contains various species of angiosperm trees, which drop their leaves in the autumn, plus some species of coniferous trees. This forest type is widespread south of the boreal forest.
Temperate grasslands are widespread in the dry interior of North America and other continents, and are dominated by species of grasses and other herbaceous plants.
Desert is a very sparsely vegetated biome of extremely dry environments.
tropical forests occur in warm regions where rainfall is abundant throughout the year.
This was the only photograph that wasn’t taken in Canada!
There are also several types of localized ecosystems that may not appear to fit with their surrounding dominant ecosystem. Wetlands
Swamp Marsh Bog Fen
Caves Mountains Mountains can have many different ecosystems from
the base to the summit
A swamp is a forested wetland.
A marsh is a relatively fertile wetland dominated by taller herbaceous plants, such as bulrush and cattail.
A bog or muskeg is a standing body of water with no underground spring. A form of moss grows and forms a thick mat of floating plants. These plants, over time, can fill in the pond or small lake with peat that will eventually be firm enough to support trees.
In fens, groundwater comes from glaciers that have melted, sitting upon layers of soil that are not permeable; thus keeping the water from sinking beneath the surface.
Survival of the Fittest Fragility and resiliency of ecosystems
Survival of a species within an ecosystem genetic characteristics availability of habitat population size
Our Local Ecosystem Climate
temperature precipitation
Watershed Lake Huron, St. Clair River, Perch Creek, Cow Creek, Talfourd
Creek, Bear Creek, Sydenham River, Hickory Creek, Ausable River Plants
Remnant Forests, crops, urban parks, yards, Oak Savannah Animals
Deer, coyotes, raccoons, fox, opossum, amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish….
The Great LakesThe Great Lakes
TheTheSouthern Southern OntarioOntarioBioregionBioregion
Lake Erie
Lake Ontario
LakeHuron
Sarnia
Toronto
1800 1983 70% of Lambton
county was covered by forest
30% by wetlands
85% agriculture <1% wetland 12% forest 3% urban
Lambton County
St. ClairRiver
Lake Huron
Blue Point
SarniaCamlachie
Canatara Beach
The St. ClairCommunity
The NorthernHalf of the St. Clair River
Chemical Valley
Corunna
The SouthernEnd of the St. Clair River
Lake St. Clair
The St. Clair River Delta
LakeHuron
Blue Point
Kettle Point
Pinery Provincial Park