Biomas y Ecosistemas

• Biomes are large geographical areas with similar climates, vegetation, and animal life. They are characterized by a specific set of abiotic factors, like temperature and rainfall, which influence the types of organisms that can survive there.

• Ecosystems are smaller than biomes, and consist of all the living organisms (biotic factors) and non-living components (abiotic factors) in a particular area, interacting with each other. An ecosystem is self-sustaining, meaning it can support its own organisms.

Types of Biomes

• Tropical Rainforest: High temperatures and rainfall year-round, supporting dense vegetation and high biodiversity. Very high primary productivity.

• Savanna: Warm temperatures, wet and dry seasons, characterized by grasses, scattered trees, and large herbivores.

• Desert: Extremely low precipitation, high temperature variations, and sparse vegetation. Adapted organisms are drought-tolerant.

• Temperate Grassland: Moderate temperatures, with distinct wet and dry seasons, characterized by grasses, and grazing animals.

• Temperate Deciduous Forest: Moderate temperatures, distinct seasons, with trees that lose leaves annually. Rich in decomposers and soil nutrients.

• Taiga (Boreal Forest): Long, cold winters, short, cool summers, coniferous trees (evergreen). Limited biodiversity compared to rainforests.

• Tundra: Very cold, low precipitation (mostly snow), permafrost layer, low-growing vegetation like mosses and lichens.

Ecosystem Characteristics

• Biodiversity: refers to the variety of life within a specific area, including the abundance and distribution of species. High biodiversity correlates with resilience; ecosystems with more species generally have a better chance of surviving environmental changes.

• Abiotic Factors: These are non-living components that shape an ecosystem, such as sunlight, temperature, water, and soil composition.

• Biotic Factors: These are living components within an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms. They interact with each other and the abiotic factors via food webs and other relationships.

• Energy Flow: Energy from the sun is captured by producers (plants), passed to consumers (herbivores, carnivores, omnivores), and eventually lost as heat.

• Nutrient Cycling: Nutrients are continuously recycled within the ecosystem through various processes like decomposition, and nutrient uptake by plants. This cycling is essential for sustainability.

• Food Webs and Chains: Producers feed consumers, and consumers are fed upon by other consumers, creating complex relationships of interdependence. These webs and chains illustrate the flow of energy and nutrients through the ecosystem.

Climate Impact on Biomes

• Temperature: Influences the types of organisms that can survive in an area. Higher temperatures generally support more diverse and abundant life forms, and may also increase the rate of metabolic processes.

• Rainfall: Crucial for plant growth and affects the water availability for all life in the biome. Different biomes exhibit varying patterns of rainfall, with some experiencing prolonged droughts, while others receive abundant rainfall.

• Sunlight duration/intensity: Affects the rate of photosynthesis and overall energy available in a biome. Polar regions have short periods of sunlight, while tropical regions experience consistent sunlight.

• Wind and topographic features: These further shape the climate and therefore the character of a biome. Wind patterns can influence air temperature and rainfall, impacting the types of plants and animals that can thrive, while mountains and valleys can influence local microclimates.

Este cuestionario explora los conceptos de biomas y ecosistemas, incluyendo sus definiciones y tipos. Aprenderás sobre las características específicas de cada bioma, como la selva tropical, la sabana, el desierto y la pradera templada. Profundiza en cómo estos entornos interactúan con los organismos que habitan en ellos.