Biomes are climatically and geographically defined areas of
ecologically similar climatic conditions such as communities of plants, animals,
and soil organisms,[1] and are often
referred to as ecosystems. Biomes are defined by factors such as
plant structures (such as trees, shrubs, and grasses), leaf types (such as
broadleaf and needleleaf), plant spacing (forest, woodland, savanna), and
climate. Unlike ecozones, biomes are
not defined by genetic, taxonomic, or historical similarities. Biomes are often
identified with particular patterns of ecological succession and climax vegetation
(quasi-equilibrium state of the local ecosystem). An ecosystem has many biotopes and a biome is a major habitat type. A major habitat type, however, is a
compromise, as it has an intrinsic inhomogeneity.
The biodiversity
characteristic of each biome, especially the diversity of fauna and subdominant
plant forms, is a function of abiotic factors and the biomass productivity of the dominant vegetation. In terrestrial biomes,
species diversity tends to correlate positively with net primary
productivity, moisture
availability, and temperature.[2]
Lucy C on 16 Sep 09The Food Chain RealAudio Click here to be joined by your audio host! What is the difference between the 'Food Chain' and 'Food Web?' A popular misnomer, the 'food chain' is not actually a linear chain but a complex web. Energy is passed from one organism to another in a complex network like a spider's web. The food chain consists of four main parts: * The Sun, which provides the energy for everything on the planet. * Producers: these include all green plants. These are also known as autotrophs, since they make their own food. Producers are able to harness the energy of the sun to make food. Ultimately, every (aerobic) organism is dependent on plants for oxygen (which is the waste product from photosynthesis) and food (which is produced in the form of glucose through photosynthesis). They make up the bulk of the food chain or web. * Consumers: In short, consumers are every organism that eats something else. They include herbivores (animals that eat plants), carnivores (animals that eat other animals), parasites (animals that live off of other organisms by harming it), and scavengers (animals that eat dead animal carcasses). Primary consumers are the herbivores, and are the second largest biomass in an ecosystem. The animals that eat the herbivores (carnivores) make up the third largest biomass, and are also known as secondary consumers. This continues with tertiary consumers, etc. * Decomposers: These are mainly bacteria and fungi that convert dead matter into gases such as carbon and nitrogen to be released back into the air, soil, or water. Fungi, and other organisms that break down dead organic matter are known as saprophytes. Even though most of us hate those mushrooms or molds, they actually play a very important role. Without decomposers, the earth would be covered in trash. Decomposers are necessary since they recycle the nutrients to be used again by producers. This table shows the relational biomass of each of the major g
