Fundamental of Ecology Terrestrial Ecosystem in Pakistan

1. 5/18/2023 1

2. COURSE 19 PRESENTATION | BS ENVIRONMENTAL
SCIENCES
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEM IN PAKISTAN
Course Instructor
Sir Arbaz Madni
Sessional Lecturer / Environmental Consultant
BY
Shahzaib
Qureshi
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES,
NFC INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY MULTAN
Registration # 2k21-BSES-04
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3. OUTLIN
E
1. INTRODUCTION OF TERRESTRIAL
ECOSYSTEM
2. TYPES OF TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEM
2.1. GRASSLAND ECOSYSTEM
2.2. DESERT ECOSYSTEM
2.3. TROPICAL RAIN FORESTS
2.4. TUNDRA ECOSYSTEM
2.5. CONIFEROUS ALPINE AND BOREAL FORESTS
2.6. TEMPERATE DECIDUOUS FOREST
3. REFERENCES
4. CONCLUSION
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4. 1. Introduction of Terrestrial
Ecosystem:
A terrestrial ecosystem is a land-based community of organisms
and the interactions of biotic and abiotic components in a given area.
Examples of terrestrial ecosystems:
Include the tundra
Taigas
Temperate deciduous forests
Tropical rainforests
Grasslands
Deserts. 5/18/2023 4

5. 2. TYPES OF TERRESTRIAL
ECOSYSTEM
Terrestrial ecosystems can be divided into following main
types:
2.1. Grassland ecosystem
2.2. Desert ecosystem
2.3.Tropical rain forests
2.4 Tundra ecosystem
2.5. Coniferous alpine and boreal forests
2.6. Temperate deciduous forest 5/18/2023 5

6. 2.1. Grassland ecosystem
 The ecosystem with grassy lands is called grass land ecosystem.
Grasslands are the most dominant type of vegetation and these types of
environments occur naturally in several parts of the world. These types of
terrestrial ecosystems serve as a home for a wide diversity of animal species,
such as elephants, giraffes, hyenas, jackrabbits, lions, rhinos, warthogs and
zebras.
 LOCATION:
Grassland ecosystem are found in
1. Gilgit 2. Kashmir 3. Waziristan
4. Lower chitral 5. North kallat
Large grasslands are present in the center of Eurasian continents.
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7.  Types of Grasslands:
There are two types of grass lands:
(A) Prairies:
The grass’ land without woody trees is called
prairies. Grasslands present in temperate climates are also
called prairies. These grasslands do not have woody plants. So
they are known as prairies.
For example prairies of north america, pampas of argentina.
(B) Savanna:
The grassland with scattered woody trees is called
savanna. These are the grassland of tropic climates. They have
woody trees.
So these grasslands are called savanna
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8. 2.2. Desert ecosystem
The desert is a barren region of the landscape, which has extremely high
or low temperatures and has scarce vegetation. Depending on the climate
and temperature, deserts can be classified into hot deserts and cold
deserts. There are many lives that are well-adapted to life in the desert.
Animals include camels, foxes, hyenas, jackals, scorpions, a few varieties
of snakes and lizards. The common plants are acacia, cactus and date
palms.
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9. Sahara is an example of a hot desert, which is categorized by high temperatures
associated with little rainfall and complicated life for both plants and animals.
Location:
The desert ecosystem present in western punjab (mianwali and
bukhar) is known as thal. In southern punjab, areas like fort abbass, bahawal
nagar, yazman bahawal pur (cholistan), khan fur and rahimyar khan also has
deserts. In sindh this desert ecosystem is called thar. These biomes are found
in every continent. These are present often around 20° to 300 north and south
latitude. Deserts are also found in the rain shadows of major mountain ranges.
Desert includes a variety of environment. The extreme form of deserts
is sahara or chile. There is no raining in these deserts. So there is no
vegetation at all in these deserts.
Ladakh is an example of a cold desert, which is found on the eastern side of jammu
and kashmir near the great himalayas.
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10. 2.3.Tropical Rain Forests
There are two types of rainforests.
• Tropical Rainforest
• Temperate Rainforest
 Tropical rainforests are found
closer to the equator where it is
warm.
 Temperate rainforests are found
near the cooler coastal areas
further north or south of the
equator.
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11.  The tropical rainforest is a hot, moist biome where it rains all year long. It is
known for its dense canopies of vegetation that form three different layers.
 The top layer or canopy contains giant trees that grow to heights of 75 m
(about 250 ft ) or more. This layer of vegetation prevents much of the sunlight
from reaching the ground. Thick, woody vines are also found in the canopy.
 The bottom layer or floor of the rainforest is covered with wet leaves and leaf
litter. This material decomposes rapidly in the wet, warm conditions (like a
compost pile) sending nutrients back into the soil.
 Few plants are found on the floor of the forest due to the lack of sunlight.
However, the hot, moist atmosphere and all the dead plant material create the
perfect conditions in which bacteria and other microorganisms can thrive.
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12. 2.4 Tundra ecosystem
 Tundra ecosystem used to describe types of vegetation in treeless high
latitudes between taiga and polar ice caps, and at high altitude across the
mountain above timberline.
 Location: Such as mountain of karakoram and koh hindu kush in pakistan.
There are two types of tundra:
 Arctic Tundra
 Alpine Tundra
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13.  Arctic Tundra:
The tundra present on the high latitude is called arctic
tundra. It is the last biome comes before reaching the polar ice-caps arctic
tundra is a vast treeless region bordering the arctic ocean. It is used to
describe types of vegetation in treeless high latitudes. It is present between
taiga and polar ice caps. Arctic tundra is present in northern north america,
northern europe and siberia (with high latitude)
 Alpine Tundra:
The tundra present at high altitude is called alpine tundra. It is
present at high altitude across the mountain above timberline if is present
on the mountain of karakoram and koh hindu kush in pakistan.
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14. 2.5. Coniferous alpine and boreal forests
 Coniferous alpine and boreal forests are types of forests dominated by
coniferous trees, which are typically adapted to cold and/or harsh
climates.
 Boreal forests, also known as taiga, the trees that dominate these forests
are mostly conifers, such as spruces, firs, pines, and larches.
 Boreal forests are characterized by long and severe winters, short
summers, and a low diversity of species.
 Alpine forests are found in mountainous areas above the treeline, which
is the elevation beyond which trees cannot grow due to harsh
environmental conditions.
 Coniferous alpine forests typically occur between treeline and the
permanent snow line. 5/18/2023 14

15.  The trees in alpine forests are mostly dwarfed and stunted.
 The vegetation is adapted to the harsh alpine climate with its high winds, low
temperatures, and short growing season.
 Both boreal and alpine forests play important roles in regulating global
climate, as they store large amounts of carbon in their trees and soils. They
also provide important habitat for wildlife, such as bears, wolves, lynx, and
many species of birds.
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16. 2.6. Temperate deciduous forest
 Temperate deciduous forest is a type of forest characterized by deciduous
trees that lose their leaves seasonally in response to changes in temperature
and daylight.
 This forest type is found in regions with moderate temperatures and abundant
precipitation, such as parts of north America, Europe, and Asia.
 Temperate moist conditions are present in neelam valley and shogran in
Pakistan.
 Temperate deciduous forests are home to a diverse range of animals,
including deer, bears, foxes, raccoons, squirrels, and a variety of birds and
insects. They are also important habitats for migrating birds during the
breeding season.
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17.  Temperate deciduous forests have been heavily impacted by human activities,
such as logging, land conversion for agriculture and urbanization, and
fragmentation due to roads and other infrastructure. These activities have
reduced the size and quality of many temperate deciduous forests, and
threatened the survival of many species that depend on them.
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18. 3. REFERENCES
Here are some references regarding terrestrial ecosystems:
1. Chapin, F. S., III, matson, P. A., & Vitousek, P. M. (2011). Principles of
terrestrial ecosystem ecology. Springer science & business media.
2. Merganičová, k., Halada, Ľ., & Evans, D. (2018). Terrestrial ecosystems in a
changing world. Springer international publishing.
3. Pickett, s. T. A., Kolasa, J., & Jones, C. G. (Eds.). (2007). Ecological
understanding: the nature of theory and the theory of nature (vol. 55).
Academic press.
4. Millennium ecosystem assessment. (2005). Ecosystems and human well-
being: synthesis. Island press.
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19. 4. CONCLUSION
 Terrestrial ecosystems are complex and diverse communities of living
organisms that interact with each other and their physical environment.
 They provide a range of ecological services, but are facing threats from
human activities such as deforestation, land-use change, pollution,
overexploitation of resources, and climate change.
 To address these challenges, there is a need for effective ecosystem
management and conservation strategies that take into account the
complex ecological, social, and economic factors that influence the
functioning of terrestrial ecosystems.
 This requires a multidisciplinary approach that integrates ecological
knowledge with social and economic considerations and engages local
communities and stakeholders in the conservation and restoration of
terrestrial ecosystems.
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