Global Ecosystems Flashcards
Do different parts of the world have different ecosystems? If so, why?
Yes, because they have different climates.
There is a global distribution of 6 ecosystems. What are the 6 ecosystems?
- Coral reefs
- Grasslands
- Tropical rainforest
- Hot desert
- Temperate forest
- Polar
Where are coral reefs found?
They are found 30 degrees north and south of the equator and a few miles off the coast
What are the two types of grassland?
- Tropical Savannah Grasslands
2. Temperate Grasslands
Where are Tropical Savannah Grasslands found?
They are found between the tropics
Where are Temperate Grasslands found?
They are found at mid-latitudes
Where are polar ecosystems found?
They are found around the North and South poles
Where are Temperate Forest ecosystems found?
They are found mainly in the mid-latitudes between the tropics and the polar regions
Where are Hot Desert ecosystems found?
Found between 15 degrees and 35 degrees north and south of the equator
Where are Tropical Rainforest ecosystems found?
Found around the equator between the tropics
What is flora?
Plants
What is fauna?
Animals
What is the climate like in polar ecosystems?
- Very cold and the temperature is less than 10 degrees Celsius.
- Rainfall and snowfall is low
- There are defined seasons, cold summers and colder winters
Are there many animals in polar ecosystems?
No. There are only a few different animals.
What are some of the animals that live in polar ecosystems?
Polar bears, penguins, whales, seals and walruses
Are there many plants in polar ecosystems? If so, what are they called?
No. Only a few plants. Some of them are called lichens and mosses and they are found on rocks.
Do plants grow slow in polar ecosystems?
Yes, and they don’t grow very tall.
What is the most common plant in ecosystems?
Grass
Is there very little rainfall in hot desert ecosystems?
Yes
How much rainfall do hot deserts get on average?
Less than 250mm per year
What is plant growth like in hot deserts?
There is not much plant growth because there isn’t much rainfall
What are the temperatures like in hot deserts?
Extremely hot during the day and extremely cold at night 0 degrees
What type of plants grow in hot deserts?
Cacti and thornbushes
Are plant roots long in hot deserts?
Yes, because they have to be able to reach the little amount of water available.
What type of animals are there in hot deserts?
Lizards, snakes, insects and scorpions
Are many animals nocturnal in hot deserts? If so, why?
Yes, so that they can cope with the hot weather.
Do Savannah Grasslands have low rainfall?
Yes
What is the weather like in temperate grasslands?
Hot summers and cold winters
What type of plants grow on Savannah Grasslands?
Grass, scrub and small plants
What type of plants grow on temperate grasslands?
Grass and small plants
What insects and animals live on Savannah Grasslands?
Insects like grasshoppers, beetles and termites. Larger animals are lions, elephants.
What type of animals live on temperate grasslands?
Bison, wild horses and mole rats.
What two animals live on both Savannah and temperate grasslands?
- Antelopes (grazing animals)
2. Mole rats
What is the climate like in coral reefs?
Warm because there is a lot of sunlight
What type of water do coral reefs grow best in?
Shallow, clear and salty water
Do plants grow in coral reefs?
Yes, but only a few.
Where do coral reefs form?
Underwater
What type of plants grow in coral reefs and where do they live?
Tiny algae (plant like organisms) live inside the tissue of corals. They depend on the coral for nutrients
Is the coral an animal?
Yes
What percentage of marine species live in coral reefs?
25%
What type of animals live in coral reefs?
Fish, sea snakes, turtles, shrimps
