Biosphere
all life on earth
Biome
ecosystems
Ecosystem
all the biotic and abiotic factors in a specific area, the total biotic community and its abiotic environment
Community
individuals of multiple species in a specific area, a group of interacting populations of different species
Population
individuals of a single species in a specific area
Tropical Rainforest
Desert
Savannah
Chaparrel
(Mediterranean Ecosystems)
Tropical Seasonal Forest
Temperate Deciduous
Grassland
Boreal Forest
(Coniferous)
Tundra
Temperate Rainforest
What is the Humboldtian view of biome development?
climate –> vegetation –> consumer
forests should develop wherever the climate is suitable for them
grasslands found in regions where forests could be supported are degraded ecosystems
What is the Green World Hypothesis (HSS)?
the world is green because predators limit the number of herbivores (top-down control)
Brown World
grazer survival traits
(defense, toxins, spines, resprouting)
Black World
fire survival traits
thick bark, seed dispersal ex. ponderosa pine
Green World
resource acquisition traits
competing for light - large plants
