ECOSYSTEMS

Terrestrial Biomes

Aquatic Ecosystems

BI OM E S
Are very large climatic regions that contain a
number of smaller but related ecosystems
within them. A certain biome may exist in
more than one location on Earth, but each
of those locations has a similar climate
and inhabitants with similar adaptations.

Predictors of Biome
Distribution

Tropical Rain Forests

Temperate
Deciduous Forests

Savannas

Temperate
Evergreen Forests

Temperate Grasslands

Taiga

Tundra

AQUAT I C E C O S YST E M S
As terrestrial organisms, we tend to focus on
the other landdwelling organisms we see
around us. But on the geologic time scale,
life seems to have originated and existed
in the oceans long before it came onto
land. Water covers about three-fourths of
Earth and is home to a variety of
organisms.

The Intertidal Zone

The intertidal zone is the area exposed
between high and low tides.

Estuaries
Occurs where freshwater rivers and
streams flow into the sea.

FRESHWATER ZONES
Lakes and Ponds
Eutrophic
Are rich in organic matter and vegetation. As the
number of plants and algae in a lake grows, the
number of bacteria feeding on decaying
organisms also grows.
Oligotrophic
Contain little organic matter. The water is much
clearer, and the bottom is usually sandy or
rocky.

Lakes and Ponds

Rivers and Streams

A river or stream is a body of freshwater that flows down
a gradient, or slope, toward its mouth, as shown in.
Water flows swiftly down steep gradients, and organisms
are adapted to withstand powerful currents. For
example, the larvae of caddis flies and the nymphs of
mayflies cling to the rocky bottom, and brook trout and
other fishes have evolved the strength to swim
upstream. Slow-moving rivers and their backwaters are
richer in nutrients and therefore support a greater
diversity of life. Rooted plants and the fishes that feed on
them are adapted to the weaker currents of slow-moving
rivers.

Rivers and Streams

Streams in mountain areas flow rapidly down steep slopes. These streams
usually have rocky bottoms and clear water (a). Rivers that flow slower carry
more fine sediment and commonly have muddy bottoms (b).

Freshwater Wetlands
Freshwater wetlands are areas of land that are covered
with fresh water for at least part of each year. The two
main types of freshwater wetlands are marshes
(nonwoody plants) and swamps (woody plants).
Many wetlands are important as stopovers for migratory
birds. Wetlands, like estuaries, provide protection for
spawning organisms, such as fishes. Wetlands are also
important to people economically and environmentally.
Wetlands act as filters to clean pollutants out of the
water flowing through them and also act as flood control
when they absorb large quantities of water that could
otherwise flood homes, farms, and businesses.