Large Scale Ecosystems

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Distributions & Characteristics of ecosystems

KEY DEFINITIONS:

Biome - a large scale ecosystem with a distinctive climate, fauna and flora

Ecosystem - a set of biotic and things with their abiotic environment

Biotic - plants & animals (living things)

Abiotic - geology, wind, topography (non-living things)

Examples of Biomes:

Tundra

Taiga

Temperate deciduous forest

Temperate grassland

Mediterranean

Desert

Tropical Rainforest

Savanna Grassland

Other

Where are these biomes located?

Tropical rainforests are located between the tropics, which are 23.5 degrees to the north and south of the equator, they usually appear along the equator.

Temperate forests on the other hand are largely located above the tropic of cancer, more towards the north of the earth. They are located in cooler, rainy areas.

Biomes and Vegetation

Biomes have their own types of vegetation, this is because the climate affects the growth of different vegetation. Some factors that affect this through climate are:

Temperature - specifically the seasonal pattern and the growing season

Precipitation or rainfall - the total amount and how its distributed

Local factors - such as altitude and soils