Ecosystems of the Earth

Vicki A Benge

An ecosystem encompasses a biological community and the localized environment. Climatic factors define the living conditions of ecosystems. Average temperatures, annual rainfall, availability of sunlight, and soil characteristics, each play a distinct role in what types of plants can flourish in the ecosystem and ultimately what types of animals live in the ecosystem, as food chains generally begin with plant life converting solar energy into organic nutrients and passing it from one population to another along the food web.

Terrestrial ecosystems are also called biomes. The predominant vegetation in a terrestrial ecosystem distinguishes its name. Aquatic ecosystems are divided into freshwater and saltwater, with saltwater ecosystems often referred to as marine ecosystems. Biomes with similar plant and animal species may be found at corresponding latitudes on the Earth.

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The major terrestrial ecosystems or biomes of Earth are deserts, grasslands, taiga, temperature deciduous forests, tropical rain forests, and tundra. The major saltwater ecosystems are found in the open ocean. Freshwater ecosystems include both standing and running water -- lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and wetlands. Estuaries, swamps, and marshes are also aquatic ecosystems and may be mixed of both salt and freshwater in some regions.

Terrestrial Ecosystems

Deserts Climatic conditions in desert ecosystems include variable temperatures and minimal amounts of annual rainfall. Deserts are found just to the north and south of tropical rain forests. Examples include the Mojave and Sonora in North America, the Great Sandy in Australia, and the Kalahari and Sahara in Africa. Plant life found in desert ecosystems includes cacti, aloes, and several species of succulents. Three examples of animals that live in desert ecosystems are kangaroo rats, gerbils, and horned toads.	Click to Enlarge Desert Environment
Grasslands Climatic conditions in grassland biomes exhibit marked wet and dry seasons and this type of biome receives slightly more total annual rainfall than desert areas. Grasslands are found on the middle latitudes of every continent on Earth except Antarctica. Prairies (temperate), savannas (tropical), and steppes are grassland ecosystems. Examples include the plains of North America; the savannas of western and southwestern Africa; the steppes of Central Asia; and the pampas of South America. Plants found in grassland ecosystems include numerous wild grass species along with a light scattering of trees and shrubs. Animals that flourish in grassland ecosystems include bobcats and coyotes on the prairies; giraffes and lions on the savanna; and black-tailed gazelles on the steppes.	Click to Enlarge Grasslands
Taiga or Northern Evergreen Coniferous or Boreal Forests The taiga, also called boreal forests or evergreen coniferous, is a moist environment. Climatic conditions include low average annual temperatures with periods of extreme cold and moderate amounts of rainfall. Taiga or boreal forests almost encircle the Earth in the northern latitudes. Examples are found in northern Asia, Europe, and North America, across northern Canada and northern Russia. Plants that live in the boreal forests include firs, pines, spruces, and acidic peat moss. Animals of this biome include gray and red foxes, grizzly bears, grosbeaks, loons, moose, mule deer, snowshoe hares, and wolverines.	Click to Enlarge Taiga
Temperate Deciduous Forests Characteristics of temperate deciduous forests include climates with moderate temperatures and moderate rainfall, marked by four distinct seasons -- spring, summer, autumn, winter. Temperate deciduous forests are found slightly farther north than grasslands, south of taiga, and extend across the globe. Examples include the Eastern United States and Jiuzhaigou, China. Animals that live in temperate deciduous forests include black bears, frogs, raccoons, and turkeys. An autumn display of color is a feature of this biome, as the predominant vegetation includes trees such as birch, elm, oak, and maple varieties.	Click to Enlarge Deciduous Forest

Continued on Page 2 >> Tropical Rain Forests, Tundra, Aquatic Ecosystems ... >>

See also: Primary Productivity.