Ecosystems Communities SUCCESSION BIOMES Ecosystems Communities Succession The

Ecosystems & Communities SUCCESSION & BIOMES

Ecosystems & Communities Succession �The sequential change that happens in an ecosystem over time after a disturbance �Primary Succession that begins in an area with NO remnants of an older community � Takes a lot of time (depends on location) Pioneer Species � The first species to colonize barren areas Ex. Lichens, grasses • Over time – these fix N 2, break down rock, add organic material to form soil.

Ecosystems & Communities �Primary Succession

Ecosystems & Communities Succession �Secondary Succession that occurs after a disturbance that does not completely destroy the ecosystem. � Occurs much faster than primary succession

Ecosystems & Communities Climax Communities �Do ecosystems return to “normal” following a disturbance? After Natural Disturbances � Secondary succession in healthy ecosystems often reproduce the original climax community Climax Community – the specific overriding flora & fauna in “adult” communities…usually call it a biome. After Human-Caused Disturbances � Ecosystems may or may not recover from extensive humancaused disturbances. � Can cause too large of changes in the microclimate & soil for nature to recover from

Ecosystems & Communities Climax Communities

Biomes �Why does the character of biological communities vary from one place to another? �Why, for example, do temperate forests grown in the Pacific Northwest while areas to the east of the Cascades are much drier? �How do similar conditions shape ecosystems elsewhere?

Biomes �Biomes are described in terms of abiotic factors like climate and soil type biotic factors like major plant and animal life �Each Biome – Has its own seasonal weather patterns which dictate � Specific adaptations that organisms have undergone � Specific Plant Life � Specific Animal Life Each Biome is Unique…

Biomes �Terrestrial Biomes Tropical Rain Forest Tropical Grasslands/Savanna Desert Temperate Grassland Temperate Shrubland/Chapparral Temperate Broadleaf Forest Temperate Coniferous Forest Boreal Forest/Taiga Tundra

Aquatic Ecosystems �What factors affect life in Aquatic Ecosystems? Water Depth � Photic vs. Aphotic Zones � Benthos Temperature & Currents Nutrient Availability

Aquatic Ecosystems �Freshwater Ecosystems Rivers & Streams Lakes & Ponds Wetlands � Swamps � Marshes � Bogs �Mixed Fresh & Saltwater Estuaries �Marine Ecosystems Intertidal Zones Coastal Ocean Open Ocean � Open Ocean Photic Zone � Open Ocean Aphotic Zone

Biomes � Terrestrial Biomes Tropical Rain Forest Tropical Grasslands/Savanna Desert Temperate Grassland Temperate Shrubland/Chapparral Temperate Broadleaf Forest Temperate Coniferous Forest Boreal Forest/Taiga Tundra � Freshwater Ecosystems Rivers & Streams Lakes & Ponds Wetlands � Swamps � Marshes � Bogs � Mixed Fresh & Saltwater Estuaries � Marine Ecosystems Intertidal Zones Coastal Ocean Open Ocean � Open Ocean Photic Zone � Open Ocean Aphotic Zone