Ecosystems- Knowledge Organiser

What is an Ecosystem?
An ecosystem is a community of plants and animals which interact with each other and their non-
living environment.
What is a biome?
An ecosystem covering a large area of a continent is called a biome.

Types of Biomes

There is no exact number when it comes to types of biomes, these are the major ones:

1. Aquatic
This is the largest biome out there, covering nearly 75% of our planet and can be divided into
two main categories: freshwater and saltwater.
2. Desert
These biomes cover about one fifth of our planet and are extremely dry areas. Depending on
their location, they can be either hot or cold. Plants and animals have evolved over time to
adapt to the harsh environment.
3. Forest
Forest biomes are home to a variety of trees and other plants. They cover about 30% of our
Earth’s surface and are extremely important to our ecosystem as they store carbon and provide
many materials that we use.
4. Grassland

The majority of this biome is made up of a variety of grasses with very few trees or large plants.
The two main types of grasslands found are ‘tall-grass’ (humid and wet), and ‘short-grass’ (dry).
This biome is very popular for farming due to the rich soil.

5. Taiga

Very wet and cold, receiving plenty of snow during the winter. Coniferous trees are evergreen and
remain green all year round.

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6. Savanna

This is a mixture of grasslands and woodland. There are some trees but they are
spread out enough to allow the sunlight to reach the ground and grasses in between.
Animals that live here include zebras, giraffes and lions. The soil is not very nutritious
and therefore, the variety of vegetation is limited.

7. Rainforest

Home to a variety of tropical plants and animals and found in regions that are warm all
year round. Unfortunately, rainforests now cover less than 6% of our planet but still
produce about 40% of our oxygen.

8. Tundra

This is the coldest biome and therefore has little plant and animal variety. Tundra
biomes cover approximately one fifth of the Earth’s surface.

Biome Locations

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 Habitats and adaptations
Adaptation is the physical or behavioural characteristic of an organism that helps an organism to survive better in
the surrounding environment. Living things are adapted to the habitat they live in. This is because they have special
features that help them to survive. Various plants and animals have adapted themselves to survive in harsh climatic
conditions.

Some of the adaptations made by Camel.

1. Two rows of eye lashes to protect against blowing sand and the sun.
2. Nostrils can be closed tight to prevent blowing sand.
3. Thick leathery patches on its knees to protect it from getting burnt when it
kneels on hot sand.
4. Fat stored in hump to allow it to survive for many days without food and
water. Starving camels may lose their humps as they use up the reserves
of fat!
5. Broad flat leathery pads on its feet to prevent it sinking into the sand.
6. Long, strong legs to carry it across the desert and keep body away from
hot sand.
7. Thick fur and under wool to prevent loss of heat at night and insulates
against the extreme heat of the day.
8. Camels are good at preventing water loss from their bodies:
• they only begin to sweat when their bodies reach 40ºC
• their kidneys produce urine with low water content
• their dung is also very dry

Some of the adaptations made by Polar Bear.

1. The fine under hair helps to provide insulation for a polar bear in the
extreme cold of its Arctic habitat.
2. The outer hairs form a layer that protects the inner fur from getting
wet when the polar bear is in the ocean. The outer hairs are hollow and
always have air trapped inside them. This helps keep the polar bear
warm. After a swim they give a quick shake and their fur is virtually dry.
3. Polar bears are excellent swimmers. They can spend many days at sea
swimming long distances in search of food. They are fairly buoyant and
float well with their heads held above the water looking for seals.
4. They have large feet, allowing their heavy load (weight) to be spread
out making it easier for them to walk on the snow and ice.
5. Polar bears have an excellent sense of smell. Females are able to smell
through three feet of snow and over a half mile away.
6. The white fur of the polar bear acts as camouflage against the snow
and ice, allowing them to blend into their environment and sneak up
on their prey.
7. The skin of the polar bear is actually black. Its white fur allows light to
reach the skin underneath and the dark skin absorbs the heat from the
sun keeping the polar bear warm.

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In this chapter we will learn about Tropical rainforests in detail.

What are Tropical Rainforests?

Rainforests are the Earth's oldest living ecosystems. Rainforests are very dense, warm,
wet forests. They are habitats for millions of plants and animals. Rainforests are very
important in the ecology of the earth. The plants of the rainforest produce most of the
earth’s oxygen. These incredible places cover only 6 % of the Earth's surface but yet they
contain more than 1/2 of the world's plant and animal species! Rainforests are the
Earth's oldest living ecosystems. As many as 30 million species of plants and animals live
in tropical rainforests. At least two-thirds of the world's plant species, including many
exotic and beautiful flowers grow in the rainforests.

Where are tropical rainforests located?

The tropical rainforests are found in South America, West Africa and South East
Asia.The largest area of tropical rainforest is found in South America. The Equator
passes through the middle of the Rain forests. The Rain forests lie inside the Tropics.

Layers of rainforest

The rainforest is made up of four different layers:

1. The Emergent Layer

This is the top layer of the rainforest. Only a few animals live in this layer. It is hot, wet,
and windy in the emergent layer. Some of the animals that can be found in the
emergent layer are bird-eating tarantulas, hummingbirds, and macaws.

2. The Canopy Layer

The canopy layer is located under the emergent layer. The canopy is home to most of
the animals and plants of the rainforest. There is plenty of food and shelter in this layer.
Red-eyed tree frogs, sloths, and toucans are some of the animals that live in the canopy
layer.

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3. The Understory Layer

The understory layer is located beneath the canopy. The understory does not get much
sunlight. It is dark and humid here. The understory is home to smaller animals, insects,
and snakes. Some larger animals use the understory layer for hunting. Geckos, bats, and
boa constrictors are some of the animals that make their home in the understory layer.

4. The Forest Floor Layer

The last layer of the rainforest is the forest floor layer. This layer is dark, humid, and hot.
Only 5% of the sunlight makes it to the forest floor. Anteaters, jaguars, and scorpions
are some of the animals that live in the forest floor layer.

Why are rainforests so important?

• Rainforests cover only 6% of the Earth but they are home to 50% of all plant and
animal species. In just four square miles you might find1, 500 flowering plants, 400
species of birds, 750 species of trees, 150 species of butterflies.
• Rainforests are often known as the ‘lungs of the Earth’. The trees absorb harmful
carbon dioxide and produce 20% of the oxygen in Earth’s atmosphere.
• Rainforests get their name from the heavy rains that fall almost every day. Trees
soak up the water and help prevent erosion. Without them the soil would wash
away.
• 25% of medicines come from plants found in the rainforest.

-Rainforest Deforestation

Deforestation occurs when trees are cut down across a wide area which is then
permanently cleared for another use.

Positive impacts of deforestation

• Wood from the removed trees can be used to make paper and other products.
• Palm oil grown on deforested land is used in many food and toiletry products
• Jobs are created in logging transport and manufacturing products.
• Selling land raises money for local people.

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• Land cleared can be used to farm cattle for meat production.
• Products such as chocolate and coffee can be grown more cheaply on areas of
deforested land.

Negative impacts of deforestation

• Rain falling on the bare soil causes soil erosion.

• Water that would have been taken up by tree roots can cause flooding.
• Plants that may have been useful as medicines could be lost.

• Tribes lose their cultural identify.

• Animal habitats are destroyed.

• Animals and plants may become extinct through loss of habitat.
• Less CO2 is captured by the forests, worsening the effects of global warming.
• People’s homes may be destroyed.

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