ECOLOGY AND ECOSYSTEMS

Ecosystem is the interactions between living and non-living things in the community. Ecosystems have many different kinds. People are wondering what is the difference between an ecosystem and a biome. The difference is that conversely, a biome can be thought of as many similar ecosystems throughout the world grouped together. While an ecosystem can be as large as the sahara desert, or as small as a puddle or vernal pool.

Ecosystems should always remain in balance or else they will fail. No community of an ecosystem can carry more organisms than its food, water and shelter can accomodate.

LIMITING FACTOR

Limiting factor: In the natural world, limiting factors like the availability of food, water, shelter and space can change animal and plant populations. Other limiting factors like competition for resources, predation and disease can also impact populations. If any of the limiting factors change, animal and plant populations change, too.

NATURAL BALANCE
Predator/prey relationships play a big role in animal populations. If the balance between predator and prey is changed, populations are changed. The white-tailed deer population in some areas has grown too large because there are no natural predators. Mountain lions and wolves are the natural predators of the white-tailed deer. Wolf and mountain lion populations have been lowered due to over-hunting and habitat loss. This loss of a natural predator for the white-tailed deer, along with other factors, has led to overpopulation of the white-tailed deer in some areas.



BIOMES
Scientists have developed the term biome to describe areas on the earth with similar climate, plants, and animals.
Biomes occur naturally, but people can also create controlled biomes. For example, you can integrate several small populations in a small space and observe what happens. The energy cycle within biomes, habitats, and ecosystems determines which populations survive and which die. All living things need energy. Ultimately, the sun is the source of all energy in an ecosystem. Different species have different functions: producers, consumers, decomposers, and scavengers.

Types of Rainforests
There are two types of rainforests -- tropical and temperate. Tropical and temperate rainforests share certain characteristics. For example, most trees flare at the base. Vegetation is dense, tall and very green. Both types of rainforests are rich in plant and animal species, although the diversity is greater in the tropical rainforest.

Montane forests are found in mountainous areas and may contain plants such as oaks, rhododendrons, and pines, which are characteristic of temperate deciduous forests. At higher altitudes, temperatures are cooler. Even close to the equator, frost and snow can occur.

Precipitation and Climate
Both tropical and temperate rainforests are very lush and wet. Rainfall falls regularly throughout the year. The tropical rainforest receives 80-400 inches of rainfall per year. It rains a lot in the temperate rainforest, too -- about 100 inches per year. And even more moisture comes from the coastal fog that hovers among the trees.

Tropical rainforests are warm and moist; while temperate rainforests are cool.