Why are natural ecosystems important?

• Interdependence of ecosystems

  • biodiversity is the variety of plant and animal species within an ecosystem which depends on the climate, available habitats and food sources.
  • an ecosystem is the living, biotic, and non living, antibiotic, components of an ecosystem.
  • within an ecosystem, different biotic and antibiotic components depend on each other for survival which is known as interdependence.
  • the change in one component can impact the rest.
• Food chainsand webs explained

  • products, food chains start with a producer.
  • primary consumer, eat the producer like herbivores and omnivores.
  • secondary consumer, eat the primary consumer like carnivores.
  • tertiary consumer, eat the secondary consumer like carnivores and omnivores.
  • decomposers like fungi and bacteria help return energy and nutrients back to the soil and break down organic matter and waste and recycle the energy.
• Food chains

  • shows the feeding interactions and transfer of energy from one organism to the next.
  • the source of energy is light energy from the sun.

  
• Food webs

  • the links between the biotic components, showing the complex interaction of plants and animals that feed on each other.

  
• Interdependence

  • rowan trees rely on birds eating the berries to disperse seeds.
  • oak trees rely on squirrels burying acorns to store for winter and forgotten ones then germinate.
  • woodland trees are mostly deciduous meaning they lose their leaves covering the ground which then decompose adding nutrients to the soil.
• Ecosystem balance due to natural events

  • wildfires caused by lighting.
  • climate change.
  • spread of invasive species.
  • disease.
  • extreme weather events like floods or droughts.
• Ecosystem balance due to human activities

  • deforestation.
  • hunting of animals and birds.
  • hedgerow removal.
  • changes to water supply and drainage patterns or temperature.
  • addition of chemicals like fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides.
  • fires used to clear land.
• Biome distribution

  • latitude, temperatures and sunshine hours decrease with distance from the equator.
  • precipitation, areas of high pressure experience low rainfall.
  • altitude, increases in altitude lead to decreases in temperature.
  • continentality, locations further inland heat up more quickly in summer and cool quicker in winter.
  • ocean currents, warm and cold current circulate in oceans either warming or cooling the adjacent land.
• Biome distribution

  • 11 biomes in the Earth's biosphere.

  
• Tropical rainforests

  • location, low latitudes within 23.5 degrees north and south of the equator, South America, Asia and Africa.
  • climate characteristics, annual rainfall is 2000mm, high temperatures of 26-28 degrees, convectional rainfall.
  • other characteristics, ideal conditions for plant growth, high levels of biodiversity, distinct layers of vegetation.
• Mediterranean

  • location, 40-45 degrees north of the equator, Southern Europe and North Africa.
  • climate characteristics, hot and dry summers, wet and mild winters, temperatures between 20-25 degrees, rainfall averages 800mm.
  • other characteristics, dense scrubland, vegetation includes herbs like lavender, trees include olives.
• Deciduous forest

  • location, 50 degrees north of the equator, Europe and North Africa.
  • climate characteristics, wet mild winters and warm dry summers, average temperature of 10 degrees, no extremes.
  • other characteristics, deciduous trees that lose leaves in winter due to cooler temperatures, include oak, beech and ash, wide range of animals and plants like deer, rabbits and bears.
• Coniferous forest

  • location, 60 degrees north of the equator, Northern Europe, Canada and Russia.
  • climate characteristics, cold winters and wild summers, winter temperatures of -40 degrees and summer temperatures of 20 degrees.
  • other characteristics, trees are ever green like spruce and pine, less biodiversity than temperate forests, animals like bears, foxes and wolves.
• Savanna grassland

  • location, between 15-30 degrees north and south of the equator, South America, Central Africa and Australia.
  • climate characteristics, distinct wet and dry seasons, temperatures vary between 15-35 degrees, annual rainfall is 800-900mm.
  • other characteristics, dominated by grasses, Baobab and Acacia trees, savanna animals include giraffes, lions and zebras.
• Temperate grassland

  • location, between 30-40 degrees north and south of the equator, Southern Africa, Russia and North America.
  • climate characteristics, hot summers of 40 degrees, cold winters of -30 degrees, annual rainfall between 250-750mm.
  • other characteristics, dominated by grasses, very few trees, animals include bison, deer and snakes.
• Desert

  • location, between 20-30 degrees north and south of the equator, Africa, Australia, South and North America.
  • climate characteristics, hot day temperatures up to 50 degrees, night temperatures below 0, average temperatures of 25, precipitation below 250mm.
  • other characteristics, low biodiversity, plants include yucca and cacti, animals include spiders, camels and scorpions.
• Polar and tundra

  • location, above 60 degrees north and south of the equator, Arctic, Antarctic, Northern Canada and Siberia.
  • climate characteristics, cold year round, brief cool summers in tundra areas, below 0 degrees for 6-10 months, precipitation below 250mm.
  • other characteristics, low biodiversity, short growing season, small grasses, lichens and mosses, arctic foxes, polar bears and penguins.