An ecosystem consists of the biological community and abiotic environment in a specific locale. There are three major classes of ecosystems: freshwater, terrestrial, and ocean. Terrestrial ecosystems include seven major types that vary based on location and precipitation levels, such as tropical rainforests, savannas, deserts, temperate grasslands, deciduous forests, coniferous forests, and tundra. Oceans cover most of the Earth and contain shallow ocean waters, deep ocean waters, and deep ocean surface ecosystems.

1.  An ecosystem consists of the biological
community that occurs in some locale, and the
physical and chemical factors that make up its
non-living or abiotic environment

2.  There are 3 Major classes of ecosystems.
1. Freshwater Ecosystems
2. Terrestrial Ecosystems
3. Ocean Ecosystems

3.  Relatively small in area ~ 1.8% of earth's surface
 Support many species of life including fish,
amphibians, insects and plants.
 Base of food is found in freshwater Plankton
(small microscopic organisms)

4.  Many & diverse types of ecosystems. There are
seven major types.
 Location usually dependent on the latitude of the
area, and amount of precipitation.

6. 1. Tropical Rain Forest.
2. Savannas.
3. Deserts.
4. Temperate Grasslands.
5. Deciduous forests.
6. Coniferous forest:.
7. Tundra.

7.  Precipitation - 250cm/year
 Little temp. variation/abundant moisture
 Contains more species than other biomes.

9.  Precipitation 90-150cm/year
 Open, widely spaced trees, seasonal rainfall
 Parts of Africa, South America & Australia

10.  Precipitation 20cm/year
 Dry, sparce vegetation; scattered grasses
 Parts of Africa, Asia, Australia, North America

12.  Precipitation: 10-60cm/year
 Rich soil; tall dense grasses
 Central North America; Central Asia

14.  75-250cm/year
 Warm summers, cool winters
 Europe; NE United States;Eastern Canada

16.  20-60cm/year
 Short growing season, cold winters.
 Northern Asia;Northern North America

18.  25cm/year
 Open; wind swept; dry; ground always frozen
 Far northern Asia; Northern North America

20.  Very large amount of Earth is covered by ocean
(~75%)
 40% of all photosynthesis occurs in oceans.
 3 types of oceanic ecosystems

21. 1. Shallow ocean waters
2. Deep ocean water
3. Deep ocean surface.
◦ Only occurs in Deep ocean surface & Shallow ocean
ecosystems
◦ No photosynthesis can occur in deep ocean because
light cannot penetrate deeply into water.