Biology
Ecology
Ecology
Ecology is the study of the
relationships among organisms and
their environment.
Studying organisms in their environment
organism
population
community
ecosystem
AP Biology
biosphere
Components of Ecosystems
Abiotic = nonliving chemical & physical factor
Biotic= living factors
Components of Ecosystems



Population = group of individuals of the
same species in a particular geographical
area
Community = assemblage of populations of
different species
Ecosystem = all abiotic factors and the
community of species in an area
A biome is a major regional or global
community of organisms characterized
by the climate conditions and plant
communities that thrive there.
Biome
Ecosystem
Ecosystem
Community
Community
Population
Population
Organism
Organism
Terrestrial Biomes
Biomes You Should Know
Tundra
Taiga
Temperate Rainforest
Tropical Rainforest
Temperate Deciduous Forest
Temperate Grassland
Chaparral
Desert
Savanna
Tundra
Northernmost biome
– Frozen layer of subsoil (permafrost)
– Low-growing vegetation adapted to
extreme cold/short growing season
– Little Precipitation
– Relative cold all year
Taiga
Cold winters
short growing season
acidic, mineral-poor soil
Coniferous trees
Temperate Rainforest
– Large conifers
– High precipitation
– Relatively stable
Cool temperatures
Temperate Deciduous Forest
– Precipitation relatively high
– Soils rich in organic matter
– Broad-leaf trees that lose their leaves
seasonally dominate
Temperate Grassland
– Deep, mineral-rich soil
– Moderate but uncertain precipitation
– Well suited to growing grain crops
Chaparral
– Thickets of small-leaf evergreens
– Climate of wet, mild winters and
dry summers
Desert
– Cold deserts in temperate
climates
– Warm deserts in subtropical or tropical regions
– Low levels of precipitation
– Organisms with specialized water-conserving
adaptations
Savanna
– Tropical grassland
– Widely scattered trees interspersed with
grassy areas
– Occurs in topical areas with low or
seasonal rainfall
Tropical rain forest
– Mineral-poor soil
– Layers of vegetation (canopy, understory, ect)
– High rainfall evenly distributed throughout the
year
– High species richness and high productivity
Quiz
Be ready for a possible quiz on these
Biomes. Page 463 in your text will help.
• Name of each major terrestrial biome
• Area of the world where the biome is
located
• Climatic conditions (main abiotic
factors)
• Primary types of vegetation
• Common animals found in each biome
Aquatic Biomes
Aquatic Biomes
• Aquatic Biomes are those biomes located in
bodies of water
• All Aquatic Biomes are based upon the
salinity (saltiness) of the water.
• There are 3 Kinds of Aquatic Biomes:
– Marine: High Salinity Level (Saltwater)
– Estuary: Moderated Salinity Level (Mildly Salty)
– Freshwater: Little to No Salinity Levels at all
Freshwater
• Ponds & Lakes
–Deep and still water
• Streams & Rivers
–Moving water
• Wetlands
–Shallow and still water
Marine
•Oceans
•Coral Reefs
•Estuary
–Where fresh and salt
meet