Grade 9 Academic Science – Unit Ecosystems
Major Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems
Section 2.8 and Section 2.9 Pages 56-62
Terrestrial Ecosystems
The Earth’s biosphere is home to millions of species; yet, there is a finite number of ecosystems with distinct features
(e.g., desert, temperate rainforest, tundra). The most important factor in determining the location and makeup of a
terrestrial ecosystem is climate. On a global scale, the pattern and range of temperature and precipitation (…parts of
climate...) cause the establishment of “ecological- similar” terrestrial regions called ______________.
Using Figure 1 on Page 56, describe the climate in terms of range of temperature and precipitation for each biomes
Terrestrial Biome Type
Temperature Range
Precipitation Range
(OC)
(cm)
Desert
7-25
50
Grassland
Tropical Forest
Temperate Deciduous Forest
Boreal Forest
Tundra
Five major biomes dominate Canada’s natural landscape. Each biome is described in Figure 2 on Page 57.
Using the information, complete the following table
Biome
Biotic Features
Abiotic Features
Mountain Forest
Tundra
Boreal Forest
Grassland
Temperate Deciduous
Forest
Using the table and the information on Pages 58-59, draw a feasible food web for each of the biomes.
Do Questions # 1-6 on Page 59 of Science Perspectives 9
Aquatic Ecosystems
Aquatic ecosystems are divided into freshwater and marine (ocean) ecosystems.
 Freshwater ecosystems have less than 1% salt concentrations; whereas, marine ecosystems have about 3%
salt concentration
Freshwater Ecosystems
 Lakes, rivers, bogs and marshes all make up freshwater ecosystems.

Compare oligotrophic and eutrophic bodies of water.

Name a watershed authority in our area.
Marine Ecosystems
 More than 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered by oceans. Oceans impact climate, but they contain little life
(…oceans have limited supplies of food (i.e., nutrients) and there is little variety of photosynthesizing
organisms…).

Using the following table, riefly describe the key features of three marine ecosystems
Marine Ecosystem
Key Features
Coral Reef
Estuaries
Mangrove Swamp

Intertidal zones are areas with tides. Some zones have high-tide and low-tide changes (…significant shifts in
water levels…) four times a day (…two high tide and two low tide). The highest tide in the world occurs in the
Bay of Fundy with a range of 17 meters between high and low tide. Thus, these zone have highly variable
abiotic conditions, and organisms living in these zones possess unique adaptations (e.g., body coverings to
survive changing conditions of wet and dry)
Do Questions #1-7 on Page 62 of Science Perspectives 9