Ecosystems

1. Ecosystems Presented by: Ms. Hill Environment Education Officer

2. What are Ecosystems? An ecosystem is a community of plants, animals and smaller organisms that live, feed, reproduce and interact in the same area or environment.

3. Ecosystem Scales Micro Ecosystem e.g. Pond Messo Ecosystem e.g. Forest Biome Ecosystem e.g. Desert The World has many different ecosystems. Each one has its own climate, soil, plants and animals.

5. Types of Ecosystems in Antigua and barbuda Terrestrial Mangrove Coral Reefs Seagrass Beaches

6. Terrestrial ecosystem A terrestrial ecosystem is a community of organisms and their environment that occurs on the landmasses of continents and islands. Ecosystem characterised by availability of light, limited availability of water, concentration of gases (carbon dioxide and oxygen) Example in Antigua: Wallings Forest

8. Mangrove Ecosystem “Mangrove” refers to a group of woody plants that have adapted to live in salty, muddy, permanently or seasonally waterlogged conditions. Mangrove swamps are coastal wetlands found in tropical and subtropical regions. They are characterized by halophytic (salt loving) trees, shrubs and other plants growing in brackish to saline tidal waters. The entire assemblage of flora and fauna associated with the salt tolerant mangroves is referred to as a mangrove ecosystem.

9. Mangrove Ecosystem There are 36 mangrove sites in Antigua and Barbuda boasting the 4 main species: red, white, black and buttonwood Areas where large mangroves can be found: Parham Harbour Fitches Creek Guiana Island Codrington Lagoon Cades Bay

11. Coral Reef Ecosystems The sun is the initial source of energy for this ecosystem. Through photosynthesis, phytoplankton, algae, and other plants convert light energy into chemical energy. As animals eat plants or other animals, a portion of this energy is passed on. Coral reefs serve as homes to many creatures including sponges, sea anemones, star fish, worms, sea urchins, shrimp, crab and lobster.

13. Seagrass ecosystem These unusual marine flowering plants are called seagrasses because the leaves are long and narrow and are very often green, and because the plants often grow in large "meadows" which look like grassland. Serve as an important nursery for juvenile fish and invertebrated species. Examples in Antigua: Cades Bay, Long Bay

15. Beach ecosystem Antigua and Barbuda have at least 365 beaches dotting the islands Beaches are home to crabs, birds, insects, and many other creatures They serve as nesting grounds to several turtles including the Hawksbill turtle, the Green turtle, and the Leatherback turtle.

17. Unscramble the following temyscsoe meoib semso gmrvanoe

18. Questions What is an ecosystem? What kind of animals live in a coral reef ecosystem? What kind of gases are in a terrestrial ecosystem? Name 5 beaches in Antigua and Barbuda