Introduction to

Ecosystem
Classification
E&FB Chapters 20 & 27
Stern Chapter 27
 BEGINNING
of ecosystem classification
Plant geographers :
• different parts of the world with similar
climates have similar vegetation
• species different, but structure & processes
of ecosystems similar
• “correlated” distribution of vegetation types
to climate
 BEGINNING
of ecosystem classification

“Formations” 1st plants 2nd animals

1. deserts
2. grasslands
3. coniferous forests
4. temperate forests
5. tropical forests
 BEGINNING
of ecosystem classification
Biogeography :
• study of
• distribution patterns of organisms,
• both past & present.

Patterns called : Vegetation Zones

 Vegetation Zones
CLIMATE determines vegetation patterns
I. latitude
II. altitude
III. location on continent
IV. direction of prevailing winds
 Vegetation Zones
I . LATITUDE :
Δ N & S from the equator :
1. tropical forests →
2. temperate forests →
3. coniferous forests →
4. tundra →
5. ice fields
 Vegetation Zones
II. ALTITUDE :
• similar Δ as go up in elevation in the
mountains
• taiga or boreal region = subalpine life zone
• tundra = alpine life zone
World-scale gradients of
• temperature more
• moisture more
• Dependency ratio in renewable water
 Terrestrial Formation Types of the World
(Whittaker, 1975)

1. tropical rain forest

2. tropical seasonal forests
3. temperate rain forest
4. temperate deciduous forest
5. temperate evergreen forest
6. subarctic-subalpine needle-leaved forest
(taiga)
 Terrestrial Formation Types of the World,
continued (Whittaker, 1975)
7. subalpine zone forest on tropical mountains
(elfinwoods)
8. tropical broad-leaved woodlands
9. thornwoods
10. temperate woodlands
11. temperate shrublands
12. tropical grasslands (savannas)
13. temperate grasslands
 Terrestrial Formation Types of the World,
continued (Whittaker, 1975)
14. alpine shrublands
15. alpine grasslands
16. treeless arctic plains (tundra)
17. warm semidesert scrubs
18. cool semideserts
19. arctic-alpine semideserts
20. true deserts (subtropical)
21. true deserts (arctic-alpine)
 Vegetation Zones

III. Location on continent &

IV. Direction of prevailing winds
+ soil can be
+ fire cycles deciding factors
+ regional climate in some areas
 HISTORY
of ecosystem classification
1940’s :
Plant formations +
associated wildlife = “Biomes”
Δ between biomes gradual – transition zones :
“ecotones” or “edges”
 BIOMES
WARM & MOIST COLD & DRY
• productivity
• species diversity
• OG matter
 BIOMES
WARM & MOIST COLD & DRY
complexity of ecosystems
• size of plants
• # of vertical strata
• number of different species (biodiversity)
Δ typical growth forms
 9 Major Terrestrial Biomes
(Botany Colouring Book # 96)

1. tundra
2. taiga
3. temperate forest
4. temperate rain forest
5. tropical rain forest
6. savanna (tropical grassland)
7. temperate grassland
8. chaparral (scrub forest : maritime, no rain in summer, lots of
fires)
9. desert
 E&FB Chapter 27
p.547 : Origin of Plant Hardiness Zones :
 focused on importance of temperature
p. 549 : Ecoregions (from American perspective)
1961 – Hill (Ontario)
 “uniform” vegetation zones caused by
interaction between
 climate (latitude, global position & altitude)
 soil &
 topography
 E&FB p. 551
 “ The ecoregion approach to classification
is ecologically more useful than the other
classifications
 because it relates management strategy to
its mapping levels.”
 E&FB p. 551 (continued)

 “Because all systems operate within the

context of larger systems,
 knowledge of [the] larger systems allows us
to better understand the smaller systems.”
 E&FB p. 551 (continued)

 “A better understanding of smaller systems

allows us to predict the outcome of land
management and natural resource
development.
 It provides a foundation for ecological
management of resources.”