Ecosystems

• An ecosystem includes all the biotic (living) and abiotic (non living) parts in an area
• organisms in an ecosystem can be classed as

  • producers
  • consumers
  • decomposers
• a producer is an organism that uses sunlight energy to produce food
• a consumer is an organism that gets it energy by eating other organisms
• A decomposed is an organism that gets it energy by breaking down dead material

  • they return nutrients into the soil
• there is independence in ecosystems, where some parts rely on each other
• coral reefs are found 30˚ north and south off the equator
• 2 types of grasslands:

  • tropical savannah = between tropics
  • temperate =mid latitudes
• Temperature forests are found in the mid latitudes
• Hot desert areas are between 15˚ and 35˚ north and south of the equator
• tropical rainforest are around the equator
• Polar ecosystems

  Climate

  • less than 10˚
  • Winters are normally below -40˚
  • Rainfall is low at 500mm A year

  Animals

  • polar bears and penguins
  • Less animals found here

  Plants

  • very few plants
  • Lichens and mosses
  • Plats grow slowly and not very tall to protect from harsh winds
• hot deserts

  climate:

  • low rainfall of less than 250mm a year
  • extreme temperatures, 45˚C at day and 0˚ at night

  animals:

  • lizards, snakes, insects, scorpions
  • small mammals
  • many animals are nocturnal so they can stay in the shade during the day
  • evolved to tolerate dehydration

  plants:

  • sparse plant growth due to lack of rainfall
  • long roots to reach deep water supplies
  • thick waxy skin to cope with dry climate
• Savannah grasslands 


  Climate:

  • low rainfall
  • Distinct wet and dry seasons

  Plants:

  • grass scrub
  • Small waxy leaves reduce water loss

  Animals:

  • insects
  • Lions, elephants, giraffes
• Temperate grasslands 


  Climate:

  • hot summer and cold winters

  Plants:

  • small plants
  • Few trees
  • Large roots for trees

  Animal:

  • bison
  • mole rats
• coral reefs


  climate:

  • warm, shallow water

  plants:

  • algae

  animals:

  • small fish
  • 25% of all marine species live in coral reefs
  • they have flat bodies to swim through coral
• temperate forests 


  climate:

  • four distinct seasons
  • high rainfall

  plants:

  • broad leaved trees

  animals:

  • mammals like foxes and squirrels
  • birds and insects
  • ponds have fish
• tropical rainforest

  climate:

  • same climate all year round
  • hot — between 20-28˚C
  • high rainfall

  animals:

  • insects and birds
  • gorillas and sloths
  • many animals can camouflage and are nocturnal

  plants:

  • evergreen trees
  • dense vegetation cover