Ecosystems and biomes, where life meets the environment.

1. Ecosystems a community of different living organisms interacting with one another and their non-living environment a community of different living organisms interacting with one another and their non-living environment

3. Living Organisms - Plants...

4. Living Organisms - Animals...

5. Non-living Environment Water Air Rocks/Minerals/Soils Elevation Climate Sunlight Temperature Landforms

7. Environmental Changes Changes that affect one species of living organisms may have an effect on other sets of organisms. The removal and reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone had profound affects on both living and non-living factors in that ecosystem.

8. Complex Interactions...

9. Biomes Large terrestrial regions characterized by similar climate (temperature and moisture), soil, plants, and animals, regardless of where they are found in the world.

12. Types of Biomes - Forests Tropical Rain Forest – characterized by tall, large leafed trees. Occur in climates that are warm year-round with lots of precipitation. Found in Amazon Basin in South America, Congo Basin in Africa, and on several large island nations in the western Pacific. Temperate (mid-latitude) Deciduous Forests -characterized by broad leafed trees that shed their leaves during cold winter months.

13. Chaparral or Scrub Forests – characterized by small evergreen trees and low brush. Found in hot, dry climates. Mojave desert in southwestern US, South Africa, Chile, Australia. Types of Biomes - Forests Upper-latitude Coniferous or Boreal Forests – characterized by conifer trees, commonly known as evergreens. Found in northern Canada, Siberia.

14. Types of Biomes - Grasslands Temperate Grasslands or Prairies – Found in colder areas with modest precipitation. Found in landlocked areas. In North America they are known as the Great Plains (tall grass or short grass prairies); in much of Asia they are known as the Steppes. Tropical Grasslands or Savannas – Found in warm areas; have 3 seasons – rainy or monsoon, dry, and fire. Found in Africa, Everglades.

15. Types of Biomes - Deserts Deserts are dry and warm to cold areas

16. Types of Biomes - Tundra Tundras are dry and year-round cold areas; significant for permafrost.