Understanding Climax Vegetation in World Ecosystems

1. Unit 3 Part 3 Ecosystems of the world p. 101 - 109

2. Define “climax vegetation” p. 102 • Climax vegetation is stable/dominant vegetation • in balance with the climatic AND soil conditions • It should change very little if left undisturbed. • Best suited!!! • Each ecosystem has its own climax vegetation.

3. Example: The “climax vegetation” in boreal / coniferous forest. P. 102 • Evergreen trees • Needle like leaves • Thick bark • Conical shape • Dense growing which blocks sun Coniferous forests

4. World Ecosystems Different Animals Different Vegetation Ecosystems Different Soil Different Climate (Temp. & Precip.) Climate Zones Different Locations

5. Ecosystems Climate zones

6. Ecosystems AND climatic regions p.104 • Ecosystems of the world are largely defined by their climax vegetation. • Examples!!! tropical rain forest, grasslands, boreal forests, cacti, etc. • Climax Vegetation is determined by climate (and soils). • Therefore, ecosystems match-up with climate zones… Ecosystem zones Climate zones

7. Altitudinalsuccession vs.latitudinalsuccession p. 104

8. Altitudinalsuccession vs.latitudinalsuccession • The changes in ecosystems & vegetation that occur as one moves from the equator to the poles

9. Altitudinalsuccession vs.latitudinalsuccession Altitudinalsuccession vs.latitudinalsuccession • The changes in ecosystems & vegetation that occur as one moves from the base of an tropical mountain to the summit.

10. Altitudinalsuccession vs.latitudinalsuccession Altitudinalsuccession vs.latitudinalsuccession • The changes in ecosystems & vegetation that occur as one moves from the equator to the poles is very similar to the changes in ecosystems & vegetation seen moving from the base of an tropical mountain to the summit.

11. World Ecosystems Different Animals ADAPTATIONS Different Vegetation Different Soil Different Climate (Temp. & Precip.) Different Locations

12. Ecosystems & Adaptation • A specific or unique feature that enables an organism to become better suited to its habitat/environment. • The change in an organism that allows it to live successfully/survive in its environment.

13. Grasses, Shrubs and low plants • Shallow roots • Fast reproduction / flowering cycle • 1-3 meters below the surface the ground is completely frozen • growing season is very short, 1-2 months

14. Animals • Sleep right though the cold months under a thick blanket of snow and not freeze. • Move further south to warmer climates to avoid the cold and obtain food. • Some animals have extra fur or fat to help hold in heat so they don’t freeze. • Hibernation (Bears) • Migration (Birds) • Insulating features

15. Animals • Hides from prey or protects from predators. • Feet enlarge in the fall for walking on snow • Snow shoe hare develop a covering of hair. Polar bear – bristles. • Camouflage (snowshoe hare, ptarmigan, bear) • Feet (ptarmigan) • Feet (snowshoe hare / polar bear)

16. Trees – Conifers (Evergreens) • Less surface area on the leaves means less transpiration (Winter all water is frozen). • The thicker the bark the less water that will escape. • Heavy snow during the winter will fall off reliving the pressure on the branches. • Needle-like leaves • Thick bark • Conical shape

17. Trees – Deciduous • Since the water is frozen during winter they shed their leaves so no water is lost via transpiration. • Shed their leaves when winter comes. (Birch, maple, aspen

18. Grasses • Little rain falls, doesn’t seep far in the ground, roots near the surface will catch all the water. • Little water, they have little need for water, only once in a while. Also small in size, so they don’t need a lot of water. . • Shallow roots • Small water requirement

20. Analyze world ecosystem map. P. 102 • Boreal Forest & tundra are wide spread in high latitudes • Tropical Rain Forests occur in low latitudes • Tropical Rain forest is most predominant in South America. • South America, Africa, Australia and Antarctica do not have tundra. • Coniferous/Boreal forest is our ecosystem