The Earth’s Ecosystems
Chapter 4 TCAP Review
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A Biome is a large area characterized by
its climate ad plants and animals that live
there.
Biome
Temperate Deciduous Forest
 Deciduous means to fall off. This is what
the leaves in a deciduous forest do every
year in autumn. They grow new leaves in
the spring.
 Tennessee is a deciduous forest biome.
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Land Biomes - Forests
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The Temperate Deciduous Forest has many trees, such as
the Maple, Elm, Oak, and more. It also has a diverse
amount of flowers (mostly springtime) and animals. The
animals include Black Bears, Foxes, Squirrels, deer, ect.
The soil it very rich, so it supports much plant life. This is
because of decomposition of the leaves that fall off during
the fall of each year.
The characteristics of a temperate forest are:
- varied temperatures ranging from -30 degrees C to 30
degrees C
- annual precipitation ranging from 75-150cm
- fertile enriched soil
- moderately dense canopy
- flora characterized by 3-4 tree species per square
kilometer
- fauna represents squirrels, rabbits, skunks, birds, deer,
mountain lion, bobcat, timber wolf, fox, and black bear
Temperate Deciduous Forest
Temperate Deciduous Forest
A coniferous forest is characterized by
evergreen trees. These trees stay green
all year and do not lose their leaves.
 Conifer trees produce seed cones.
 Coniferous forest are usually found at
higher elevations and include the Taiga
(Mountain) biome.
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Coniferous Forest
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The Coniferous Forest is a forest of Conifers. Conifer is a
tree that produces its seeds in cones. The Pine tree is the
most common example. Conifer leaves conserve water with
the thick, waxy layer that covers their leaves, also known
as needles. The vegetation in the Coniferous forest is small
in size, but large enough to feed the vast herbivore
population. Most of these animals survive the brutal
winters by migrating or hibernating.
Average Annual Rainfall- 14-29.5 in.
Average Temperatures in the Summer- 57.2°F
Average Temperatures in the Winter- 14°F
PLANTS
Many softwood trees such as fir, pine, spruce, and
hemlock.
ANIMALS
Most animals are herbivores, however some carnivores and
omnivores are thrown in. Animals in Coniferous Forests
include the red fox, moose, snowshoe hare, great horned
owl, and the crossbill.
Coniferous Forest
Coniferous Forest
Tropical rainforest have more biological
diversity than any other place on Earth.
80% of all known species live in the
tropical rainforest.
 It may be diverse but it has very poor
soil. Most trees grown roots above the
ground.
 Some species spend their entire life in the
trees.
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Tropical Rainforest
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Tropical rain forests are characterized by dense vegetation, seasonally
warm temperatures, and abundant rainfall. The animals that dwell here
depend on trees for housing and food.
Tropical rain forests are very hot and wet. They can average between 6
and 30 feet of precipitation per year.
The average temperature is fairly constant ranging from about 77 to 88
degrees Fahrenheit.
Tropical rain forests are typically located in areas of the world that are
near the equator.
A great variety of plants can be found in tropical rain forests. Enormous
trees as tall as 150 feet tall form an umbrella canopy over the forest that
blocks out the sunlight for plants in the lower canopy and forest floor.
Some examples of rain forest plants include: kapok trees, palm trees,
strangler fig trees, banana trees, orange trees, ferns, and orchids.
Tropical rain forests are home to the majority of plant and animal species
in the world. Wildlife in the tropical rain forest is very diverse. Animals
include a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects.
Examples are: monkeys, gorillas, jaguars, anteaters, lemurs, bats, frogs,
butterflies, and ants.
Rain forest creatures have characteristics such as bright colors, distinctive
markings, and grasping appendages. These traits help the animals adapt
to life in the rain forest.
Tropical Rainforest
Tropical Rainforest
A tundra biome is so cold that trees do n
not grow there.
 It has very cold temperatures and very
little rainfall.
 The soil beneath the surface soil stays
frozen all of the time. This is called
permafrost.
 Plants have very shallow roots.
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Tundra
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In the arctic tundra there are two seasons: winter and
summer. In the summer, the sun is present almost 24 hours a
day. This sun however, only warms the tundra up to a range of
about 3°C to 12°C. In the winter the opposite light conditions
are present. There are several weeks where the sun never
rises. This causes the temperatures to drop to extremely cold
levels. The average temperature of the tundra is around -28°C
while extremes can dip to -70°C.
Precipitation levels in the tundra are from 6 to 10 inches a
year.
On a relative scale, the arctic tundra biome has a relatively
low biodiversity. There are around 1700 species of plants that
live in this zone. There are almost no reptiles or amphibians.
There are only 48 land mammals that make this habitat their
home.
Many animals migrate to the tundra in the summer months to
take advantage of the lack of predators, abundant plants,
insects, and fish. Snowy Owls breed on the ground in the
summer months, and prey on voles, lemmings and other
small rodents. Musk oxen, a smaller cousin of the Ox feeds on
the grasses in small herds. They defend themselves from one
of the few predators, packs of wolves.
Tundra
Tundra
Grassland biomes are large, rolling terrains of grasses,
flowers and herbs. Latitude, soil and local climates for the
most part determine what kinds of plants grow in a particular
grassland. A grassland is a region where the average annual
precipitation is great enough to support grasses, and in some
areas a few trees.
 There are two different types of grasslands; tall-grass, which
are humid and very wet, and short-grass, which are dry, with
hotter summers and colder winters than the tall-grass prairie.
In the winter, grassland temperatures can be as low as -40°
F, and in the summer it can be as high 70° F. There are two
real seasons: a growing season and a dormant season. The
growing season is when there is no frost and plants can grow
(which lasts from 100 to 175 days). During the dormant (not
growing) season nothing can grow because its too cold.
 In tropical and subtropical grasslands the length of the
growing season is determined by how long the rainy season
lasts.
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Temperate Grassland (Prairie)
The most common types of plant life on
the North American prairie are Buffalo
Grass, Sunflower, Crazy Weed, Asters,
Blazing Stars, Coneflowers, Goldenrods,
Clover, and Wild Indigos.
 Some common animals in the grasslands
are Coyotes, Eagles, Bobcats, the Gray
Wolf, Wild Turkey, Fly Catcher, Canadian
Geese, Crickets, Dung Beetle, Bison, and
Prairie Chicken
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Temperate Grassland (Prairie)
Temperate Grassland (Prairie)
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There are only a few scattered trees found in the
savanna biome. There is both a dry and a rainy
season that occur in the savannah biome. These
each last for extended periods of time. As a
result the supply of food can be very high at
some times of the year. Then they are very low
at others.
The plants and animals living in the savanna
biome have had to adapt to such issues. Many of
the animals have to migrate around the biome in
order to find enough food and water for survival
during these changing seasons. The annual
rainfall in a savanna biome is 59 inches.
Savanna
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When it comes to animals there are some very small creatures
out there. There are quite a few invertebrates including beetles,
grasshoppers, and termites.
There are also many larger animals that are found in the
savanna biome. They include lions, leopards, deer, elephants,
zebra, and the kangaroo.
Wild grass is the biggest type of plant life that grows in the
savanna biome. It is also one of the most important. It provides
food for plenty of types of animals. Without it, they would
starve. That would in turn make it very hard for larger meat
eating animals to survive. That is because they hunt down those
wild grass eating animals.
There are various types of trees that will grow in particular areas
of a savanna biome. They include pine trees, palm trees, and
acacia trees. They can grow in clumps and that offers some
shade to the various animals that live in this type of
environment.
Savanna
Savanna
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Temperatures exhibit daily extremes because the
atmosphere contains little humidity to block the Sun's rays.
Rainfall is usually very low and/or concentrated in short
bursts between long rainless periods.
Soils are course-textured, shallow, rocky or gravely with
good drainage and have no subsurface water.
Plants are mainly ground-hugging shrubs and short woody
trees.
The animals include small nocturnal (active at night)
carnivores.
Desert
Desert animals don’t need to feed very often which is why
almost all of them are very small. They also don’t need to find
water independently. They get the water they need from their
sources of food.
 A variety of rodents including mice and the shrew live in these
conditions as well. The desert biome is also where you will find
the tarantula. These spiders are very dangerous and they don’t
seem to mind the harsh conditions either. Medium sized animals
found living in the desert biome include rabbits, rattlesnakes,
and porcupines.
 Of course there are larger animals in the desert biome as they
are able to feed on the small ones. Don’t be surprised if you find
the puma, bobcat or dingo around. In various areas of the desert
biome there are deer living there that they will find upon. In
certain desert locations you will also find camels.
 In order for any plants to survive in the desert biome, they have
to be able to collect and store what water is present. They also
have to be able to reduce the water evaporating from them. The
cactus is the number one plant you will find living in a desert
biome. The design of this plant makes it possible for them to
hold onto the moisture they have.
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Desert
Desert
The ocean has four zones and each has its own unique
characteristics.
 The Intertidal Zone: Is the upper level of the ocean.Home to sea
grasses, periwinkle snails, and herons are common in an
intertidal mudflat. Sea stars and anemones often live on rocky
shores, while clams, crabs, snails, and conchs are common on
sandy beaches.
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Oceans
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The Neritic Zone: Although plankton are the major
producers in this zone, seaweeds are common, too. Sea
turtles and dolphins live in the neritic zone. Other animals,
such as corals, sponges, and colorful fishes, contribute to
this vivid seascape.
Ocean
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The Oceanic Zone: Many unusual animals
are adapted for the deep ocean. Whales
and squids can be found in this zone.
Also, fishes that glow can be found in very
deep, dark water.
Ocean
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The Benthic Zone: Organisms, such as
bacteria, worms, and sea urchins, thrive
on the deep-sea floor
Ocean
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Most coral reefs are found in warm, shallow areas of the
neritic zone. The reefs are made up of small animals called
corals. Corals live in large groups. When corals die, they
leave their skeletons behind. New corals grow on these
remains. Over time, layers of skeletons build up and form a
reef. This reef provides a home for many marine animals
and plants. These organisms include algae, brightly colored
fishes, sponges, sea stars, and sea urchins
Coral Reefs
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An area where fresh water from streams and rivers
spills into the ocean is called an estuary (ES tyoo er
ee). In estuaries, the fresh water from rivers and the
salt water from the ocean are always mixing.
Therefore, the amount of salt in the water is always
changing. Plants and animals that live in estuaries
must be able to survive the changing concentrations
of salt. The fresh water that spills into an estuary is
rich in nutrients. Because estuaries are so nutrient
rich, they support large numbers of plankton. The
plankton, in turn, provide food for many animals.
Estuaries
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The Arctic Ocean and the ocean around
Antarctica make up another marine ecosystem.
These icy waters are rich in nutrients, which
support large numbers of plankton. Many fishes,
birds, and mammals rely on the plankton for
food. Animals, such as polar bears and penguins,
live on the polar ice.
Polar Ice
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Each stream of water that joins a larger stream is called a
tributary (TRIB yoo TER ee). As more tributaries join a stream,
the stream contains more water. The stream becomes stronger
and wider. A very strong, wide stream is called a river. Like other
ecosystems, freshwater ecosystems are characterized by their
abiotic factors. An important abiotic factor in freshwater
ecosystems is how quickly water moves. Streams and rivers are
full of life. Plants line the edges of streams and rivers. Fish live in
the open waters. And clams and snails live in the mud at the
bottom of a stream or river. Organisms that live in fast-moving
water have adaptations to keep from being washed away. Some
producers, such as algae and moss, are attached to rocks.
Consumers, such as tadpoles, use suction disks to hold
themselves to rocks. Other consumers, such as insects, live under
rocks.
Freshwater Ecosystems: Stream
and River.
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The area of water closest to the edge of a lake or pond is called the littoral
zone (LIT uh ruhl ZOHN). Sunlight reaches the bottom of the littoral zone. This
sunlight makes it possible for algae and plants to grow in the littoral zone.
Algae grow beneath the surface of the water in the littoral zone. Plants that
grow near the shore include cattails and rushes. Floating leaf plants, such as
water lilies, grow farther from the shore. The plants of the littoral zone are
home to small animals, such as snails and insects. Clams and worms bury
themselves in the mud. Frogs, salamanders, turtles, fish, and snakes also live
in this zone. Life Away from Shore. The area of a lake or pond that extends
from the littoral zone across the top of the water is called the open-water zone.
The open-water zone goes as deep as sunlight can reach. This zone is home to
bass, lake trout, and other fishes. Many photosynthetic plankton also live in
this area. Beneath the open-water zone is the deep-water zone, where no
sunlight reaches. Catfish, carp, worms, crustaceans, fungi, and bacteria live
here. These organisms often feed on dead organisms that sink from above.
Pond and Lake
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An area of land that is sometimes underwater
or whose soil contains a great deal of
moisture is called a wetland. Wetlands
support many different plants and animals.
Wetlands also play an important role in flood
control. During heavy rains or spring snow
melt, wetlands soak up large amounts of
water. The water in wetlands also moves
deeper into the ground. So, wetlands help
replenish underground water supplies.
Wetland Ecosystem
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A treeless wetland ecosystem where plants, such as grasses,
grow is called a marsh. Freshwater marshes are often found in
shallow areas along the shores of lakes, ponds, rivers, and
streams. The plants in a marsh vary depending on the depth of
the water and the location of the marsh. Grasses, reeds,
bulrushes, and wild rice are common marsh plants. Muskrats,
turtles, frogs, and birds also live in marshes.
Marshes
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A wetland ecosystem in which trees and vines grow is called a
swamp. Most swamps are flooded part of the year, depending on
rainfall. Willows, bald cypresses, and oaks are common swamp trees.
Vines, such as poison ivy, grow up tree trunks. Plants, such as
orchids, may hang from tree branches. Water lilies and other plants
grow in standing water. Many fishes, snakes, and birds also live in
swamps
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Swamps