Lecture Notes on Ecosystems and Biomes

Key Concepts

• Population

  • A group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area.
  • Populations consist of members of the same species, but not all members of a species are in the same population.

• Community

  • Composed of all populations of different species living together in a particular area.
  • Only includes living organisms (biotic factors).

• Ecosystem

  • Includes both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors in a given area.
  • Can vary in size from small tide pools to large regions like the Amazon rainforest.

Types of Ecosystems

• Aquatic Ecosystems

  • Marine: Saltwater ecosystems, primarily oceans.
  • Freshwater: Non-salty water sources like rivers and lakes.
  • Note: Marine ecosystems are more abundant than freshwater ecosystems.

• Terrestrial Ecosystems

  • On land, including forests, deserts, grasslands, etc.

Ecosystem Dynamics

• Energy Flow

  • Energy enters ecosystems as light and is transferred through organisms.
  • Eventually dissipates as heat.

• Matter Conservation

  • Matter cycles through different forms within the ecosystem.

Biomes

• Definition: Large geographical areas with distinct climates and ecosystems.
• Types of Biomes
  • Tropical Forests: Found in Amazon, Africa, Southeast Asia.
  • Boreal Forests: Northern latitudes.
  • Savannah, Desert, Tundra, Chaparral, Polar, Temperate Forests, Temperate Grasslands.
• Factors Influencing Biomes
  • Temperature, moisture, climate, terrain, and mineral composition.

Examples of Biomes

• Sonoran Desert vs. Rock Desert
  • Both are deserts but have distinct features and life forms.
  • Sonoran Desert has more visible life compared to the Rock Desert.

Conclusion

Biomes and ecosystems provide a framework for understanding the diversity and complexity of life on Earth. Despite having similar classifications, ecosystems can vary widely in their characteristics and the life forms they support.