Terrestrial Ecosystems and Biomes

• Terrestrial ecosystems are land-based communities of organisms interacting with their abiotic environment.
• Climate, geography, and dominant plant life define these ecosystems.
• Forests, grasslands, deserts, tundra, and artificial ecosystems like agricultural fields are examples of terrestrial ecosystems.

Climate Factors

• Temperature, rainfall, and sunlight are key factors in terrestrial ecosystems.
• Temperature affects metabolic rates and species distribution.
• Rainfall influences water availability, essential for plant and animal life.
• Sunlight provides energy for photosynthesis, the base of most terrestrial food webs.

Biomes

• Biomes are large terrestrial ecosystems with specific climate conditions and plant communities.
• Forests are tree-dominated biomes, including tropical rainforests, temperate forests, and boreal forests (taiga).
• Grasslands feature grasses and herbaceous plants, with limited tree cover.
• Deserts are dry environments with vegetation adapted to drought.
• Tundra is characterized by cold regions, low-growing vegetation, permafrost and a short growing season.

Forests

• Tropical rainforests, found near the equator, are hot, wet, and biodiverse.
• Temperate forests have distinct seasons, moderate rainfall, and both deciduous and coniferous trees.
• Boreal forests (taiga) are in high latitudes and marked by cold temperatures, coniferous trees, and acidic soils.

Grasslands

• Savannas are tropical grasslands featuring scattered trees and seasonal rainfall.
• Temperate grasslands (prairies or steppes) have hot summers, cold winters, and moderate rainfall.

Deserts

• Hot deserts have high temperatures, low rainfall, and flora and fauna adapted to conserve water.
• Cold deserts experience cold winters, hot summers, and limited precipitation.

Tundra

• Arctic tundra is located in the Arctic region, marked by, permafrost, low temperatures, and a short growing season.
• Alpine tundra exists at high elevations, sharing similar conditions with Arctic tundra but lacking permafrost.

Soil Composition

• Soil is crucial in terrestrial ecosystems by supporting plants and providing nutrients and water.
• Soil composition affects plant distribution and ecosystem productivity.
• Parent material, climate, topography, organisms, and time influence soil formation.

Nutrient Cycling

• Nutrient cycling is essential for maintaining productivity in terrestrial ecosystems.
• Key cycles include carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and water.
• Decomposition releases nutrients from dead organic matter.

Food Webs

• Terrestrial food webs depict energy and nutrient flow within the ecosystem.
• Primary producers (plants) use photosynthesis to convert sunlight into chemical energy.
• Herbivores eat plants, carnivores consume animals, and omnivores eat both.
• Decomposers break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients.

Biodiversity

• Biodiversity is the variety of life within a terrestrial ecosystem.
• High biodiversity increases ecosystem stability, resilience, and productivity.
• Habitat diversity, climate, and disturbances influence biodiversity.

Threats to Terrestrial Ecosystems

• Habitat destruction and fragmentation arise from deforestation, agriculture, and urbanization.
• Climate change causes altered temperature and precipitation, shifts in species distributions, and more extreme weather.
• Pollution from industry, agriculture, and urbanization contaminates soil, water, and air.
• Invasive species outcompete native species, changing ecosystem structure, function, and biodiversity.
• Overexploitation includes overgrazing, overhunting, and unsustainable logging.

Conservation Strategies

• Habitat conservation and restoration involve protected areas, reforestation, and habitat corridors.
• Sustainable resource management includes sustainable forestry, agriculture, and fishing.
• Pollution reduction involves regulations, cleaner technologies, and waste management.
• Invasive species control includes prevention, early detection, and eradication.
• Climate change mitigation involves reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting carbon sequestration.

Human Impact

• Deforestation reduces carbon sinks, increases soil erosion, and decreases biodiversity.
• Agriculture leads to habitat loss, soil degradation, and water pollution.
• Urbanization results in habitat fragmentation, more pollution, and altered hydrological cycles.
• Industrial activities pollute air and water, cause acid rain, and contribute to climate change.

Ecosystem Services

• Terrestrial ecosystems provide vital services for human well-being.
• Provisioning services include food, timber, water, and medicinal plants.
• Regulating services include climate regulation, water purification, and pollination.
• Supporting services include nutrient cycling, soil formation, and primary production.
• Cultural services include recreation, aesthetic value, and spiritual benefits.

Ecological Succession

• Ecological succession is the change in an ecological community's species structure over time.
• Primary succession occurs in newly formed habitats lacking soil.
• Secondary succession happens in disturbed habitats where soil is present.

Adaptations of Organisms

• Organisms adapt to environmental challenges in terrestrial ecosystems.
• Plants adapt to drought by developing deep roots, waxy leaves, and water storage.
• Animals adapt to cold with thick fur, hibernation, and migration.
• Adaptations helps species thrive and contribute to ecosystem function.

Fire Ecology

• Fire is a natural disturbance in many terrestrial ecosystems, aiding nutrient cycling, seed germination, and maintaining habitat diversity.
• Some ecosystems, like grasslands and chaparral, depend on fire.
• Fire suppression can lead to fuel buildup and more intense fires.

Biogeochemical Cycles

• These cycles involve the movement of elements and compounds through biotic/abiotic parts of terrestrial ecosystems.
• The carbon cycle includes photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and combustion.
• The nitrogen cycle includes nitrogen fixation, nitrification, denitrification, and assimilation.
• The phosphorus cycle includes weathering, absorption by plants, and decomposition.
• The water cycle includes evaporation, transpiration, condensation, and precipitation.

Explore terrestrial ecosystems: land-based communities of organisms interacting with their environment, shaped by climate and geography. Learn about climate factors like temperature, rainfall, and sunlight, and discover major biomes, including forests and grasslands.