LESSON COMMUNITY ECOLOGY FOCUS QUESTION What is an ecological community? Communities When you describe your community, you probably include your family, the students in ‘your school, and the people who live nearby. A biological Gomimtinily is a group of interacting populations that occupy the same area at the same time. Therefore, your community also includes other people, plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi. Not every community includes the same variety of organisms. An urban commu- nity is different from a rural community, and a desert community is different from a polar community. You have learned that organisms living in the same ecosystem depend on one another for survival. You also learned about abiotic factors and how they affect individual organisms. Recall that limiting factors can influence an organism’s ability to survive or to reproduce. How might abiotic factors affect communities? For example, consider soil, which is an abiotic factor. If soil becomes too acidic, some species might die or become extinct. This might affect food sources for other organisms, resulting in a change in the community. (Oe INVESTIGATE COLLECT EVIDENCE Organisms can adapt to the conditions in which they live. For example, a wolf's heavy fur coat enables it to survive in harsh winter climates, and a cactus’s ability to retain water enables it to tolerate the dry conditions of a desert, Depending on which factors are pres- ent, and to what extent, organisms can survive in some ecosystems but not in others. For example, the camel and trees shown in Figure 1 have adaptations that enable them to thrive in desert conditions, but would not be useful in colder climates. Figure 1 Plants and animals in a desert community have adaptations to help them survive periods of drought. Cadtee seit) Geers yn) ncepts (GO ONLINE to find these activities and more resources. ‘Applying Practices: Local Ecosystem Dynamics HS-LS2-6, Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning that the complex interactions in ‘ecosystems maintain relatively consistent numbers and types of organisms in stable conditions, but changing conditions may result ina new ecosystem. \Bluse your Science Journal to record the evidence you collect as you complete the readings and activites inthis lesson. 50 Module 3 - Communities, Biomes, and EcosystemsLatitude The distance of any point on the surface of Earth north or south from the equator is latittidé! Latitudes range from 0” at the equator to 90” at the poles. Light from the Sun strikes Earth more directly at the equator than at the poles, as illustrated in Figure 4 on the previous page. Asa result, Earth’s surface is heated differently in different areas. Ecologists refer to these areas as “zones.” Polar zones extend to about 66° from each pole, while tropical zones extend about 23° north and south of the equator. Temperate zones are found between the polar and tropical zones. Climate The average weather conditions in an area, including temperature and precipitation, describe the area’s limate. An area's latitude has a large effect on its climate. If latitude were the only abiotic factor involved in climate, biomes would be spread in equal bands encir- cling Earth. However, other factors such as elevation, continental landmasses, proximity to mountains, and ocean currents also affect climate. Recall that a biome is a large group of ecosys- tems that share the same climate and have similar types of communities. Its a group of plant and animal communities that have adapted to a region's climate and other abiotic factors. The graph in Figure 5 shows how temperature and precipitation influence the communities that develop in an area, and help to define the various biomes. Note that there is considerable variation in temperature and precipitation in most of the biomes. There can be more than one ecosystem in a biome. A biome’s ecosystems occur over a large area and have similar plant communities. Even a small difference in temperature or precipita- tion can affect the composition of a biome. Annual Precipitation v. ‘Temperature for Various Biomes 8 3 | 8 100, | Annual precipitation (em) =10 0 10 20 30 ‘Average temperature (°C) Figure 5 Temperature and precipitation are two major factors that influence the kind of vegetation that can exist inanarea. Analyze Which biome would you expect in on area that receives 200 cm of precipitation annually if the average ‘onnual temperature is 10°C? Refer to Figure 6 on the next page to learn how Earth's ocean currents and prevailing winds affect climate. Also illustrated in Figure 6 are two ways humans might be affecting climate— through the hole in the ozone layer and through global warming. Global warming is in part a result of the greenhouse effect. Bet It? Explain the difference between weather and climate. Major Land Biomes Biomes are classified primarily according to the characteristics of their plants. Biomes also are characterized by abiotic climate characteristics such as temperature, precipitation, the amount of sunlight, and the amount and type of wind. The plants and abiotic characteristics in a biome influence the types of animals that live there. This section describes each of the major land biomes.Figure 6 Visualizing Global Effects on Climate Some parts of Earth receive more heat from the Sun. Earth’s winds and ocean currents contribute to climate and balance the heat on Earth. Many scientists think humar Winds on Earth ees Noahs rode is Sues, rae as Winds are created from temperature imbal Distinct global wind systems transport cold ‘reas and warm air to cold areas. Greenhouse Effect radiation Ml pretected Peri ty rentese pacts on the atmosphere upset this balance. Earth's Ocean Currents ery eam ering ote ceampelar caren [= Warm caren j= Cold currents (Ocean currents carry warm water toward the poles. As the water cools it sinks toward the ocean floor and moves toward tropical regions. Earth's surface is warmed by the greenhouse effect. Certain gases in Earth’s atmosphere, including naturally occurring water vapor, reduce the amount ‘of energy Earth radiates into space. Other important ‘greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide and methane. Human Impact on the Atmosphere South Pole, ‘Ozone hole Total Ozone (Dobson Units) es ‘10 220330440550 The ozone layer is a protective layer in the atmosphere that ‘absorbs most of the harmful UV radiation from the Sun, ‘Atmospheric studies have indicated that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) contribute to a seasonal reduction in ozone concentration over Antarctica, forming the Antarctic ozone hole. 56 Module 3 - Communities, Biomes, and Ecosystems, ‘Temperature and C02 Concentration C02 (ppm) Temperature (°C) Year ‘The measured increase of carbon dioxide (CO,) in the atmosphere (ed line) is mainly due to the burning of fossi fuels. As carbon dioxide levels have increased, the average global temperature (blue line) has increased.Pagan nee nage amy yaaa cay ingen Withers rg Fs) Pte Mien Alay Stock Pht Tundra Extending in a band below the polar ice caps across northern Europe, North America, and Siberia in Asia is the tundra, The tundra is a treeless biome with a layer of permanently frozen soil below the surface called permafrost. Although the ground thaws to a depth of a few centimeters in the summer, its constant cycles of freezing and thawing do not allow tree roots to grow. Plants that are able to survive in the tundra have very shallow roots. Animals like the caribou in Figure 7 have adapted to tundra conditions. Figure 7 Tundra Average precipitation: 15-25 cm per year Temperature range: 70°C to 12°C Plant species: short grasses, shrubs Animal species: caribou, polar bears, birds, insects, wolves, arctic hares, musk ox Geographic location: south ofthe polar ice caps in the Northern Hemisphere Abiotic factors: soggy summers; permafrost; cold and dark much of the year Boreal forest South of the tundra is the boreal forest, a band of dense evergreen forest extending across North America, Europe, and Asia. Also called the northern coniferous forest, or taiga, this biome’s summers are longer and warmer than tundra summers, and its ground lacks a permafrost layer. Animals like the wolverine in Figure 8 have adapted to the cold. eae Figure 8 Boreal forest tion: 30-84 cm per year ‘Temperature range: ~54°C to 21°C ‘Average precipi Plant species: spruce and fir trees, deciduous trees, small shrubs ‘Animal species: birds, moose, beavers, deer, wolverines, lynx Geographic location: northem part of North America, Europe, and Asia Abiotic factors: summers are short and moist; winters are long, cold, and dry Lesson 2. Terrestrial Biomes 57Temperate forest Temperate forests cover much of southeastern Canada, the eastern United States, most of Europe, and parts of Asia and Australia, The temperate forest is composed mostly of broad- leaved, deciduous (dih SIH juh wus) trees—trees that shed their leaves in autumn. The falling leaves return nutrients to the soil. All four seasons occur in temperate forests. In spring, warm temperatures and precipitation restart the growth cycles of plants and trees. Warmer temperatures also enable amphibians like the red salamander shown in Figure 9 to survive. Temperate woodland and shrubland Open woodlands and mixed shrub communities are found in areas with less annual rainfall than in temperate forests. The woodland biome occurs in areas surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, on the western coasts of North and South America, in South ‘Africa, and Australia. Areas that are dominated by shrubs, such as in California, are called the chaparral. Woodland animals like the fox in Figure 10 must have adaptations that allow them to survive in both hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Figure 9 Temperate forest Average precipitation: 75~150 cm per year Temperature range: ~30'C to 30°C Plant species: oak, beech, and maple trees, shrubs ‘Animal species: amphibians and reptiles, squirrels, rabbits, skunks, birds, deer, foxes, black bears, frogs, snakes Geographic location: Australia, and south of the boreal forest in North America, Europe and eastern Asia Abiotic factors: well-defined seasons; summers are hot, and winters are cold Figure 10 Temperate woodland and shrubland ‘Average precipitation: 38-100 cm per year Temperature range: 10°C to 40°C Plant species: evergreen shrubs, cork oak Animal species: foxes, jackrabbits, bobcats, coyotes, reptiles, butterflies Geographic location: surrounds the Mediterranean Sea, ‘western coasts of North and South America, South Africa, and Australia Abiotic factors: hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters : 3 8 g 4fromerttacighteaty bet 3 i i Temperate grassland ‘A biome that is characterized by fertile soils that are able to support a thick cover of grasses is called grassland: Drought, grazing, fires, and animals like the bison in Figure 11 keep grass- lands from becoming forests. Due to their underground stems and buds, perennial grasses and herbs are not eliminated by the fires that destroy most shrubs and trees. Temperate grasslands are found in the middle latitudes of North America, South America, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Grasslands are called prairies in North America, pampas and Ilanos in South ‘America, steppes in Asia, savannas and veldts in Africa, and rangelands in Australia. Figure 11 Temperate grassland ‘Average precipitation: 50-89 cm per year ‘Temperature range: ~40°C to 38°C Plant species: grasses, herbs, flowers Animal species: gazelles, bison, horses, lions, deer, mice, coyotes, foxes, wolves, birds, snakes, grasshoppers, spiders Geographic location: North America, South America, Asia, Arica, and Australia Abiotic factors: summers are hot, and winters are cold; moderate rainfall fires possible Desert Deserts exist on every continent except Europe. A desert is any area in which the annual rate of evaporation exceeds the rate of precipitation. You might imagine a desert as a desolate place full of sand dunes, but many deserts do not match that description. Deserts can be home toa wide variety of plants and animals, including reptiles like the western diamondback rattle- snake shown in Figure 12. Figure 12 Desert ‘Average precipi Temperature rang jon: 2-26 cm per year igh: 20°C to 49°C, low: -18°C to 10°C Plant species: cacti and other succulents such as Aloe vera and Joshua trees Animal species: lizards, bobcats, birds, tortoises, rats, antelope, desert toads Geographic location: every continent except Europe Abiotic factors: varying temperatures; low rainfallTropical savanna ‘A topical savanina is characterized by grasses and scattered trees in climates that receive less precipitation than some other tropical areas. Tropical savanna biomes occur in Africa, South America, and Australia. Herds of grazing ani- mals like the zebras and wildebeest shown in Figure 13 are common to tropical savannas. Tropical seasonal forest ‘Tropical Seasonal forests, also called tropical dry forests, grow in areas of Africa, Asia, Australia, and South and Central America. In one way, the tropical seasonal forest resembles the temperate deciduous forest because during the dry season, almost all of the trees drop their leaves to con- serve water. Animals like the African forest elephant in Figure 14 also have adaptations that help them conserve water. Beet ir Figure 13 Tropical savanna Average precipitation: 50-130 cm per year Temperature range: 20°C to 30°C Plant species: grasses and scattered trees Animal species: ons, hyenas, wildebeest, cheetahs, elephants, girates, zebras, koalas, emus, insects Geographic location: Aftica, South America, and Australia Abiotic factors: summers are hot and rainy: winters are cool and dry Figure 14 Tropical seasonal forest ‘Average precipitation: °200 cm per year Temperature range: 20 to 25°C Plant species: deciduous and evergreen trees, orchids, mosses ‘Animal species: elephants, tigers, monkeys, koalas, rabbits, frogs, spiders Geographic location: Africa, Asia, Australia, and South and Central America Abiotic factors rainfall is seasonal ‘Compare and contrast tropical savannas and tropical seasonal forests. 60 Module 3 - Communities, Bomes, and Ecosystems Daye Satertockcom Gr Mart Cael Potty ee lelghteety mas‘1 Lanedone/Atmys 624 Marinrt/Mament Opn/Gtiy ones Tropical rain forest Warm temperatures and large amounts of rainfall throughout the year characterize the tropical fain) biome shown in Figure 15. Tropical rain forests are found in much of Central and South America, southern Asia, west central Africa, and northeastern Australia. The tropical rain forest is the most diverse of all land biomes. Tall, broad- Jeaved trees make up the canopy of the tropical rain forest. Shorter trees, shrubs, and plants make up another layer, the understory. Other Terrestrial Areas You might have noticed that the list of terrestrial biomes does not include some important areas. Many ecologists omit mountains from the list. Mountains do not fit the definition of a biome because their climate characteristics and plant and animal life vary depending on elevation. Polar regions also are not considered true biomes because they are ice masses, not true land areas with soil. Mountains Ifyou go up a mountain, you might notice that abiotic conditions, such as temperature and precipita- tion, change with increas- ing elevation. These variations allow many communities to exist on a mountain. As Figure 16 illustrates, biotic communi- ties also change with increasing altitude, and the tops of tall mountains may support communities that resemble those of the tundra, | i Increasing latitude |\CROSSCUTTING CONCEPTS ‘Cause and Effect Use the Internet and other sources to research the impact of human activity on climate. In a brief report summarize the evidence that human activities are contributing to Global warming and use this evidence to predict what might happen during your ifetime to the biome in which you live, As ‘you prepare your report, think about whether you would be willing to make changes in your lifestyle to help prevent further imate change, .—— istic Figure 15 Tropical rainforest ‘Average precipitation: 2001000 cm per year Temperature range: 24°C to 27°C Plant species: broadleaf evergreens, bamboo, ferns, orchids Animal species: chimpanzees, Bengal tigers, ‘orangutans, bats, toucans,sloths, cobra snakes Geographic location: Central and South America, southern Asia, west central Africa, and northeastern Australia Abiotic factors: humid all year; hot and wet Figure 16 Asyou climb a mountain or increase in lat tude, the temperature drops andthe climate changes. Describe the relationship between altitude and latitude, Environmental Engineer Earth's ecosystems are constantly changing! Some ofthese changes are natural and some are caused by human activity, What are the Impacts of these changes? How do we prevent or cope with these impacts? Environmental engineers work with other engineers and urban planners to develop plans for preventing environmental changes or for adapting to changes that cannot be prevented.