Understanding Ecosystems: Biomes, Habitats, and Biodiversity
Ecosystem Sizes
Microsystem (Small Extension)
Microecosystem (Large Extension)
Habitat
The area that presents the right conditions for a particular organism to live in.
Niche
The role that is played.
Climate
What do temperature, wind, and rain have in common? They are all part of the climate!
The whole surface of Earth is a series of the same climates… so they are grouped in biomes.
Biomes
Biomes are geographical areas that share a similar climate, fauna, and flora.
Latitude
The distance of any point on the surface of the Earth north or south from the equator.
Temperature and Precipitation
Weather conditions in an area, including temperature and precipitation, will describe an area’s climate.
Plants and animals have adapted to the climate of their biome – even small changes in temperature and precipitation can affect them.
All vary in:
- Temperature Range
- Geographic Location
- Precipitation
Flora and Fauna
Biome vs. Ecosystem vs. Habitat
Biomes are geographical areas that share a similar climate. In ecosystems, abiotic and biotic factors interact. Habitat places the right conditions for organisms to live.
Terrestrial Biomes
Include all the land areas on Earth where organisms live.
Ecological Succession
The growth of a stable ecosystem over time.
Biodiversity
Variety of different species in the same area.
The more biodiverse an ecosystem is, the more stable, and more resources it will have.
A stable ecosystem remains intact for long periods of time, but it can get disrupted.
Ecosystems can be rebuilt after a disturbance by the process of ecological succession.
When the ecosystem is fully recovered, it is called a climax community.
Two Types of Ecological Succession
Primary Succession
Is the colonizing of a new environment that lacks organisms and plant life. (From 0 to climax)
e.g., Volcano, meteorite
Secondary Succession
Is the colonizing of an environment that once supported life but was abandoned due to an ecological disturbance. (From media point to climax)
e.g., Fire, hurricane, tornado
Biodiversity and Environmental Services
Includes:
Genetic Diversity
Variety of genes present in a population.
Increases the chances.
Species Diversity
Number of different species and the richness of each.
Ecosystem Diversity
The variety of ecosystems.
Megadiverse Countries
Holds the largest indices of biodiversity in the world.
Mexico is the 4th megadiverse country (Veracruz 3rd in biodiversity) – maybe bonus.
Factors That Make México Megadiverse
- Geographical Locations (Tropics)
- Complex Geological History (Isolation)
- Diversity of Landscapes
In Mexico, the flora and fauna of the two biogeographical regions come together.
Importance of Biodiversity
Ecosystem Services (ES) are benefits provided by healthy ecosystems.
ES are divided into:
- Provisioning Material: Benefits “Goods” (Wood, Food, Paper)
- Cultural Services: (Non-Material) (Education, Spiritual)
- Regulating Services: Functions that ecosystems that we obtain benefits. Fundamental processes that we need for life. (Water Filtration, Oxygen)
Supporting Services: The base of the other