Objective of the lesson

• At the end of this section, students will be able to:

 Review the concept of an ecosystem
 Discuss how climate affects the distribution of an ecosystem
 Realize the effect of latitude on the variation of an ecosystem
 Explain the role of altitude on the distribution of ecosystem
 Relate factors that affect the diversity of fauna and flora in the
ecosystem
 2.4 Ecosystems
• An ecological system or, in short, an ecosystem, is a system
formed by the interaction of all living organisms with each other
in an area and with the chemical and physical factors of the
environment in which they live.
• They are all linked by the transfers of energy and materials that
constitutes the food chain.
• An ecosystem is a biological environment consisting of all the
organisms living (biotic) and all the non-living things (abiotic),
physical components.
 2.4 Ecosystems

• Abiotic (a’biot’ik) factors include water, minerals, sunlight, air,

climate, and soil water & sunlight.
• All living things need certain non-living things in order to
survive.
• All ecosystems have the same elements.
• Ecosystems vary in size
• Some are small and some are much larger like the ecosystem
of the desert of Africa, and the rainforest of Brazil.
 focus

• Ecology is the scientific study of the inter-relationships between

living organisms and the environment
• An ecological factor is any environmental factor which affects a
living organism.
 2.4.1 Factors that Affect the Distribution of Ecosystems
• Two primary non-biological factors have major impacts on the
kind of ecosystem that develops in any part of the world:
precipitation
temperature
• In turn, elevation (altitude) affects these primary factors.
 Effects of precipitation on ecosystems

Precipitation & temperature are affect the vegetation in an area.

• The effects of precipitation depend on:
– the total amounts of precipitation per year
– the form it arrives (rain or hail or snow) &
– seasonal distribution
 Effects of temperature on ecosystems
• Temperature patterns are also important
• They vary considerably in different parts of the world
• For example,
– tropical areas have warm, relatively unchanging temperatures
throughout the year, whereas
– the poles have long winters, with extremely cold temperatures,
and relatively short, cool summers.
• In other areas, temperature variation is between those
extremes, creating different types of cold and warm seasons.
 Effects of precipitation & temperature on ecosystems

Impact of temperature and precipitation on vegetation

 Effects of precipitation & temperature on ecosystems

 The Figure above illustrates the way that temperature and moisture
influence the kind of vegetation that occurs in an area.
 Areas with low moisture & low temperatures produce Tundra
vegetations
 Areas with high moisture & freezing temperatures during part of the
year produce deciduous or coniferous forests.
 Dry areas produce desert vegetation
 Moderate amounts of rainfall or seasonal rainfall support grasslands
or savannah
 Areas with high rainfall & high temperature support Tropical
rainforests or equatorial rainforests
 The Effect of Elevation on Climate and Vegetation

 As height a.s.l. increases, the average temperature decreases.

 As one proceeds from sea level to the tops of mountains, it is
possible to pass through a series of ecosystems that are similar
to encountered from the equator to the pole.
 The higher the altitude, the cooler the climate becomes
 For example, This happens when we travel from the peripheral
lowlands of Ethiopia to the mountains found in the northwest
and southeast of the country.
 Even in the Tropics, tall mountains can have snow on the top,
for example, on Mt. Kilimanjaro
Relationships between altitude latitude, and vegetation
 The Effect of Elevation on Climate and Vegetation
• The following is the general order of vegetation distribution as one
moves from bottom of a mountain (sea level) to the top of a
mountain or from the equator to the north pole.
1. Broadleaf evergreen (located b/n 0 – 1800m & 0°– 20°N)
2. Deciduous forest (located b/n1800m – 3600m & 20°N – 45°N)
3. Boreal forests (located b/n 3600m - 4000m & 45°N – 65°N)
4. Tundra (located b/n 4000m – 4500m & 65°N – 80°N)
5. Permanent snow (located b/n 4500m – 5500m & 80°N – 90°N)
• Therefore, the order is 1 2 3 4 5
Mt. Kilimanjaro
 2.4.2 Diversity of Fauna, Flora and Soil of Ecosystems
• Among many factors that shape the type of fauna, flora and soil
type of an ecosystem, climate plays a decisive role in their
distribution and activities.
• The land on earth is divided into six major kinds of large
ecosystems called biomes.
• The six biomes are: desert, tundra, grass land, deciduous forest,
taiga and tropical rain forest.
• Each biome has its own kind of climate, soil, plants and
animals.
• Each biome can be found in different parts of the world.
 Diversity of Fauna, Flora and Soil of Ecosystems: Desert

1. Desert
• Desert biome is found in North America, Africa, South America,
Asia and Australia.
Deserts are characterized by:-
 lack of water
 less than 25 centimeters of precipitation per year
 windy conditions
 Plants and animals are many species, but they have low numbers
of individuals.
 plants survive by adapting in dry, hot or cold environments.
 For example, xerophytes such as cactus, store water in their
spongy bodies or their roots for use during drier periods.
 Diversity of Fauna, Flora and Soil of Ecosystems: Desert

 Other plants ephemerals, only bursting into life when rain falls,
flowering and producing seeds, then lie dormant for years until
the next rain falls.
 Example, the Rose of Jericho, a plant of the Middle East
 Desert animals survive with a minimal amount of water
 They generally have an outer skin that resists water loss, so they
lose little water by evaporation.
 Due to lack of moisture and vegetation in hot desert areas little
true development of soil, drifted sand, pavements of bare rock,
gravel or boulders.
 Diversity of Fauna, Flora and Soil of Ecosystems: Tundra

2. Tundra
 Tundra means’ a treeless plain
 Its ground or soil is permanently frozen - Permafrost
 lichens and mosses are the basic ‘building blocks’ of the tundra
ecosystem.
 Tundra vegetation was grazed by migratory herds of caribou,
reindeer & musk ox.
 Predators include polar bears and the arctic fox, largely
dependant on ground - nesting birds.
 Diversity of Fauna, Flora and Soil of Ecosystems: Tundra
 Birds in tundra region are geese, wild fowl and wading birds.
 Emperor penguin is the most remarkable bird species
 The permafrost make the soil waterlogged which lacks oxygen &
restricts bacterial action the tundra vegetation decompose and
accumulate as a layer of peat, stained black by acid humus.
Diversity of Fauna, Flora and Soil of Ecosystems: Grasslands
3. Grasslands
 Temperate grasslands are also known as prairies or steppes and
typically savannas are tropical grass lands.
 Receive b/n 25 &75 centimeters of precipitation per year.
 Grasses make up 60 to 90% of the vegetation.
 Herbivorous animals in African plain grass lands include
elephants, zebras, wildebeest, gazelles and antelopes
 Carnivores which relay on grazing animals include lions,
cheetahs and leopards, along with scavenging jackals, hyenas
and vultures.
 The soil of tropical grasslands are strongly influenced by the
lengthy droughts that alternate with wet seasons.
Typical East African grassland savanna, a region of wet-and-dry climate
(Aw)
Diversity of Fauna, Flora and Soil of Ecosystems: Deciduous Forest

4. Deciduous Forest
• Why do trees shed their leaves during winter in deciduous forest?
 Are temperate forests that are located b/n 30° & 50°N & S.
 A forest biome with many trees that lose their leaves each year.
 This is where broad-leaved trees grow.
 Each autumn the leaves turn yellow, orange and red
 The leaves fall to the ground which is what deciduous means
and decay.
 The dead leaves help make the soil rich and fertile.
 Trees shade leaves to conserve water.
Diversity of Fauna, Flora and Soil of Ecosystems: Deciduous Forest

 Receive 75 to 100 centimeters of precipitation per year.

 In deciduous forests of North America and Europe, common
tree species are maples, birch, beech, elm, oaks, and other hard
woods.
 Are home to variety of insects like beetles, moth larvae, wasps
and ants.
 The birds are primary migrants that arrive in the spring of the
year.
 A few birds including woodpeckers, turkeys, geese and some
finches, are year-round residents.
 Amphibian and reptiles prey on insects and other small
animals.
Diversity of Fauna, Flora and Soil of Ecosystems: Deciduous Forest

 Small and large mammals inhabit these areas mice, squirrels,

deer, shrews, moles, and opossums are common examples.
 Major predators on these mammals are foxes, badgers
weasels, coyotes and birds of prey.
 Diversity of Fauna, Flora and Soil of Ecosystems: Taiga

5. Taiga (Coniferous Forest)

 The climate is characterized by short, cool summers and long
winters with abundant snowfall.
 It is located 55°N to 70°N.
 Precipitation ranges b/n 25 and 100 cm per year.
 Conifers such as spruces, firs and larches are most common
trees.
 Coniferous forest has limited tree species
 Most birds are migratory and feed on the summer insect popn.
 Diversity of Fauna, Flora and Soil of Ecosystems: Taiga

 Typical mammals are deer, caribou, moose, wolves, weasels,

mice, snowshoe hares, and squirrels.
 In this cold climate, precipitation exceeds evaporation, the
needles and litter from the coniferous trees are slow to decay.
Diversity of Fauna, Flora and Soil of Ecosystems: Tropical Rainforest

6. Tropical Rainforest
 This biome consists of the world’s tallest trees & located within
the tropics.
 It receives rainfall in excess of 200 cm & in some areas in excess
of 500 cm and very warm temperatures.
 Most plants grow rapidly. What is the reason?
 They have a greater diversity of species than any others biome
 More species are found in the tropical rainforests of the world
than in the rest of the world combined.
 Diversity of Fauna, Flora and Soil of Ecosystems: Tropical Rainforest

• Balsa, teakwood, ironwood, mahogany, ebony and other

ornamental woods are common.
• Birds are extremely common, as are many climbing mammals,
lizards, and tree frogs
• Insects, such as ants, termites, moths, butterflies, and beetles,
are particularly abundant.
• Many of the animals communicate by making noise
Diversity of Fauna, Flora and Soil of Ecosystems: Tropical Rainforest
Tropical rainforests developed in areas with high annual rainfall (as
much as 2400 mm – 4600 mm) and very warm temperatures. They have
an extremely diverse mixture of plants – vines, orchids , ferns, and a
wide variety of trees (A). Many animals, inhabit tropical rainforests,
including more species of insects, reptiles, and amphibians than in any
other part of the world. Rainforests are home to all sorts of colorful birds
and to monkeys, and to other small and large mammals, including
elephants (toucan bird, (B))
REVIEW EXERCISE FOR UNIT 2
Pp 119 - 122