Species, communities and

ecosystems - Biomes

Julián Andrés
González Vega
Ninth grade
Species

 A biological species is a group of organisms that can reproduce with one another in nature and
produce fertile offspring.
 Species are characterized by the fact that they are reproductively isolated from other groups, which
means that the organisms in one species are incapable of reproducing with organisms in another
species.
 The term species can also be defined as the most basic category in the system of taxonomy, it can also
be defined based on a shared evolutionary history and ancestry.
 The evolutionary process by which a new species comes into being is called speciation.
Speciation types:

 Allopatric Speciation: occurs when a species separates into two separate groups that are isolated from
one another. A physical barrier, such as a mountain range separates them.
 Peripatric Speciation: when small groups of individuals break off from the larger group and form a new
species. In peripatric speciation, one group is much smaller than the other. It doesn´t necessarily occurs
due to physical barriers.
 Parapatric Speciation: a species is spread out over a large geographic area. Sometimes happens
when part of an environment has been polluted.
 Sympatric Speciation: occurs when there are no physical barriers preventing any members of a species
from mating with another. A new species, perhaps based on a different food source or characteristic,
seems to develop spontaneously.
 Artificial speciation is the creation of new species by people. This is achieved through lab experiments,
where scientists mostly research insects like fruit flies.
Community
 A community is an interacting group of various species in a common location.
 For example, a forest of trees and undergrowth plants, inhabited by animals and rooted in soil
containing bacteria and fungi, constitutes a biological community.
Community

 Among the factors that determine the overall structure of a community are the number of species
(diversity) within it, the number of each species (abundance) found within it, the interactions among
the species, and the ability of the community to return to normal after a disruptive influence such as fire
or drought.
 The change of biological communities over time is known as succession, or ecological succession.

Fitness is a quantitative
representation of individual
reproductive success. It is also
equal to the average
contribution to the gene pool
of the next generation, made
by the same individuals of the
specified genotype or
phenotype
Community

 The interactions are: competition, predation, parasitism, mutualism, among others.

 The organisms within a community can be positioned along food chains by showing which eats which,
and these positions are known as trophic levels.

 The first level includes the producers—the photosynthetic plants or algae—which convert the Sun’s
radiant energy into nutrients available to other organisms in the community. These plants are eaten by
herbivores (primary consumers), the second trophic level. Herbivores are, in turn, eaten by carnivores,
which are frequently eaten by larger carnivores (secondary and tertiary consumers, respectively).

 The food chain ends when the last link dies and is attacked by various bacteria and fungi, the
decomposers that break down dead organic matter and thereby release essential nutrients back into
the environment.
Interaction Definition
Community
Predation The predator, kills and eats another organism
Pollination In pollination, pollinators transfer pollen from a male flower
part to a female flower part, enabling fertilisation, in return
for a reward of pollen or nectar.

Seed dispersal is the movement, spread or transport of seeds away from

the parent plant by wind or animals.
Symbiosis is a close and long-term biological interaction between two
biological organisms of different species.

Mutualism Is an interaction between two or more species, where

species derive a mutual benefit.
Commensalism This benefits one organism and the other organism is neither
benefited nor harmed.
Parasitism A parasite lives on the host, causing harm.
Amensalism An organism inflicts harm to another organism without any
costs or benefits received by itself.
Competition Interaction between organisms or species, in which the
fitness of one is lowered by the presence of another.

Antagonism It is when one organism takes advantage of another, one

increases its fitness and the other decreases.

Non-trophic interactions Interactions for space, like habitat modification.

Biomes, Ecosystems and Habitats

 Biome: region of the world characterized by it´s resident life ( animals and plants), environment, climate,
precipitation, temperature and humidity. It’s area is huge. Not all the organisms interact.
 Ecosystem: interaction between organisms living together in a particular environment and the biotic
and abiotic factors are taking into account. All organisms interact.
 Habitat: is specific to a species or population of organisms.

Biotic factors: Abiotic factors: non

Living things in an living factors like
ecosystem like humidity, temperature,
plants, fungi, light, salinity and
animals and currents.
bacteria.
Biomes, habitats and ecosystems of the world

 Taiga: also known as boreal forest, has been called the world's largest land biome. The temperature is
cold, the vegetation is widely conformed by pines and coniferous trees. It is not a very varied biome; the
soil is relatively poor in nutrients. Glaciers can be found in this biome.
 Tundra: Very cold biome with no big trees, vegetation consist mostly on grasses, bushes, mosses and
lichens. The soils are rich in nitrogen, helping in the global warming prevention. Is rich in certain mammal
and bird species. The artic is an example.
 Antartic: Mostly covered in ice, the antartica does not have a wide variety of plants or animals, however,
some notorious species can be found, like penguins and seals. The oceans are really rich, with organisms
like krill. Icebergs and glaciers are also found.
 Monsoon forest: Also known as seasonal tropical forest, it has a great variety of plants and animals. It has
a high humidity level and is mostly found in Asia, in countries like Vietnam and Thailand.
Biomes, habitats and ecosystems of the world
Wetland or Cienaga : ecosystem that is flooded by water, either permanently or seasonally for shorter
periods. They have characteristic vegetation of aquatic plants. Wetlands are considered among the
most biologically diverse ecosystems, serving as home to a wide range of plant and animal species.
 Grassland or Savanna: Ecosystem where the principal vegetation are the grasses. They are very
diverse ecosystems, home to many animal species. They tend to have very few wáter bodies.
 Caves: Cave ecosystems are characterized by lack of light and, as a result, dependence on
connectivity to the surface or internal microbial production for energy supply, like guano. move water,
energy and matter. Specialized organism like bats live there.
 Tropical Rainforest: Are the ecosystems with biggest precipitation and humidity in the planet. Are
extremely diverse ( the Amazon is an example) and have very warm temperatures.
 Chaparral: is a coastal biome with low dense vegetation like bushes and small tres ( less tan 2.5
meters tall). It´s temperature is really high and is a dry ecosystem. It is varied.
Biomes, habitats and ecosystems of the world

 Temperate forest: Found between the boreal and tropical regions of the world. The temperature
varies a lot, aswell as the vegetation and the fauna. They suffer a lot the human effects.
 Desert (xeric shruland ): The most arid and dry ecosystem of the planet. Water is really limited and
the few vegetation is composed of short bushes and plants like cactus.
 Paramo: Found in the mountains, this ecosystem produces huge amounts of water, it is really
diverse and cold temperatures. It has high levels of endemism.
 Bottom of the ocean: Extremely cold ecosystem, with no light and few animal and plant species (
almost none). High pressure allows only specialized creatures to live there.
 Littoral ecosystem: is the part of a sea, lake, or river that is close to the shore. It has specific
characteristics like rocky soils or sand soils, specific vegetation and is home to specifc creatures.
Biomes, habitats and ecosystems of the world

 Estuary: Commonly known as mangroves, this ecosystem is extremely important for life and is home to
many species. Are dynamic ecosystems with many functions, like the prevention of tsunamis.
 River: freshwater ecosystem with special algae, plants and animals. They provide oxygen and water to
all land organisms. They carry nutrients across the continental terrains of the planet.
 Coral reefs: Incredibly diverse ecosystems that contain a huge variety of organisms like corals, fishes,
octopuses, squids, cuttlefishes, nautilus, shrimps, crabs, lobsters, sponges, jellyfishes, sharks.
 Seagrass meadows: oceanic ecosystem formed by seagrasses that are among the most productive
ecosystems in the world. They provide habitats and food for a diversity of marine life.
 Lakes: Lakes are a prime example of lentic ecosystems in which abiotic factors like light, wind and
temperature play important roles. This ecosystem is rich and diverse.