Interspecific Relationships and Terrestrial Biomes
Interspecific Relationships
Interspecific relationships are established between individuals of different species. Each of the individuals involved can be harmed or benefited or have a neutral relationship:
Mutualism
Relationship not permanent or binding between two species where both stand to gain from the presence or activity of another.
Symbiosis
Relationship permanent and compulsory between two species in both stand to gain.
Competition
Two competing species for one and two are injured resource.
Parasitism
The parasite feeds on the host without causing death in the short term, but it does harm it.
Predation
The predator species feeds on the prey, killing it.
Commensalism
The diner is fed from the host material without injuring it. Occasionally, diners can provide some benefit to the host.
Tenancy
The tenant species finds shelter in a structure of the host. The tenant is benefited and the host is indifferent.
Terrestrial Biomes
A biome is a large area of the Earth’s surface that has its own ecological characteristics.
Tundra
Found in the Northern Hemisphere above 66° latitude and in cold and mountainous areas of Central Asia and the Himalayas. Polar climate. Rainfall is low and below 0°C.
Ecological Features
- The production, biomass, and biodiversity are low but increase during the summer when migratory species arrive.
- Low temperatures retard the action of soil decomposers, which is why it contains a lot of organic matter.
Vegetation
- The soil remains covered with snow almost all year round.
- The water soaks into the soil forming the permafrost that remains frozen.
- The vegetation is made up of shrubs and herbaceous plants that grow at ground level, such as lichens and mosses.
Wildlife
- There are large herbivores such as moose and reindeer.
- And some birds and mammals.
Taiga
Wide strip south of the tundra of Canada, the North of Europe, and Siberia. The winters are dry and summers are short and mild, there is rainfall throughout the year.
Ecological Features
- The biomass production is high and during the winter it is very high, it has a very marked maximum in spring and summer.
Vegetation
- The forest consists of dense boreal coniferous forests, mainly pine and fir.
Fauna
- The animals have adaptations to conserve heat and endure the cold winter.
- Many hibernate, collect food, and other migratory species abound.
Prairies and Steppes
They thrive in shallow areas of continental climate. They occupy large areas in 5 continents. The winters are cold and summers dry and hot, and rainfall is scarce.
Ecological Features
- The biomass is sparse but productivity is relatively high, which allows for the existence of herds of herbivores.
Vegetation
- Herbaceous plants are the dominant ones.
Wildlife
- Large herds of herbivores and predators of these.
- Animals often live in burrows.
Deciduous Forest
They occupy much of Europe from the Iberian Peninsula to the North of the Black Sea and large parts of eastern USA, eastern China, Korea, and Japan’s North. Cool summers and cold winters. Frequent rainfall without periods of prolonged drought.
Ecological Features
- The biomass is high due to the presence of the forest.
- Its production is reduced during the winter and is high in spring and summer.
- Biodiversity is high, due to the diverse invertebrate fauna and abundant understory mosses and lichens.
Vegetation
- The forest is formed by dense deciduous forests with trees such as beech, oak, chestnut, etc.
Wildlife
- The lush vegetation supports a diverse wildlife.
Tropical Forest
They occupy a wide strip centered in Ecuador that reaches Southeast Asia and the North of Australia. The temperature is warm all year round. Continuous and abundant rainfall.
Ecological Features
- Biomass is abundant but there is no net production because the intense activity of decomposers in the soil produces a value that almost balances respiration to gross production.
- Its biodiversity is the largest of all terrestrial biomes.
Vegetation and Wildlife
- The jungle, animal communities are structured in a vertical form, each layer has its flora and fauna.
Mediterranean Forest
It develops in countries that border the Mediterranean basin and in parts of California, Australia, and Chile. Mild winters with little rainfall and abundant hot dry summers. Rainfall is concentrated in spring and autumn.
Ecological Features
- The biomass and diversity are relatively high.
Vegetation
- It is xerophytic (adapted to dryness) with tough bushes and leaves.
Wildlife
- In the forest of predominantly Mediterranean birds, insects, reptiles, and mammals that feed on seeds and herbs.
Savanna
It occupies large extensions in Africa, Australia, South America, and India. It presents two distinct seasons, the dry winter and the rainy summer, and the temperatures are high throughout the year.
Ecological Features
- Biomass is not abundant but productivity is high in the rainy season and peaks in summer.
- It has a high biodiversity.
Vegetation
- Predominantly herbaceous vegetation with scattered woody plants such as acacias, baobabs.
Fauna
- Herbivorous mammals and migratory species and consequent herds of herbivorous predators.
Deserts
They occupy tropical anticyclonic areas and areas where the winds are dry, such as the Atacama Desert, and Tibet. Extremely low rainfall, very high temperatures during the day, and low at night.
Ecological Features
- Their biomass and production are the lowest of all biomes.
- Biodiversity is low and depends mainly on plants covered by masks.
Vegetation
- Shrubs, grasses, and cacti predominate.
Fauna
- The animals and plants have adaptations to the scarcity of water.