Large scale ecosystems are found in different parts of the world
What are the distributions and the characteristics of the worlds large-scale ecosystems.
Tundra
Climate:
Canada
Fauna and Flora:
- Animals that live here have adapted in different ways. e.g. Brown bears eat in the summer and store food in insulating layer for winter.
- Plants species which have shallow root systems and are low to ground to cope with harsh climate
- Short growing seasons about 60 days.
- Total annual rainfall 200mm, much of which falls as snow.
- temperature between -34C and 12C.
Boreal forest
Russia
Climate:
- Temperature range between -10C and 15C.
- Total annual rainfall 500mm
Fauna and flora:
- Evergreen trees, which allow growth to start when the weather warms up.
- Shallow roof systems because of shallow soil and frozen ground.
- Trees such as pine and fir
- Animals such as red foxes and black bears
Temperate forests
Tropical forests
What are the distributions and the characteristics of the worlds large-scale ecosystems continued....
USA
Climate:
- Temperature range between 4C and 17C
- Total anual rainfall 1,000 mm
Temperate grasslands
Fauna and Flora:
- Trees lose their leaves in winter to reduce transpiration
- Vegetation is in 4 layers; canopy, sub-canopy, herb and ground. Manny are dominated by 1 tree species e.g. oak
Animals e.g. rabbits and deer
Climate:
- Temperature range between 27C and 30C.
Brazil
- Total annual rainfall 2,200mm
Fauna and Flora:
- Lianas wind their way up trees
- Vegetation is in 4 layers; emergents, canopy, under-canopy, shrub/forest floor
- Animals e.g. Sloth and howler monkeys
Climate:
Argentina
- Temperature range of 10C and 18C.
- Total annual rainfall 500mm, most falling in the summer months
Fauna and Flora
- Trees are generally not found in these areas
- Grasses e.g. purple needle-grass and buffalo grass grow in these areas
Tropical grassland
Climate:
- Temperature range 25C to 30C
- Total annual rainfall 1,000mm
- Rain is concentrated in 6 to 8 months a year; the rest of the year is drought
Kenya
Fauna and Flora:
- Animals reproduce during wet season when there is plentiful food and water. a.g. giraffes.
- Grasses grow very tall 2m, but die off in dry season
Deserts
Climate:
- Temperature range between 30C and 35C
- Big temperature differences at night, -18C
- Very unpredictable rainfall
Australia
Fauna and Flora
- The only plants are short shrubs
- Animals which live in the deserts, such as camels, store fat in their humps which can change into water when its needed.