Hobbies And Interests
Terrestrial
Rainforests, savannas, deserts, grasslands, deciduous and coniferous forests as well as tundra are all different types of terrestrial ecosystems. Covering 28 percent of the earth's surface, these environments are characterized by changing climates, seasonal rainfall and organisms that have adapted to various extremes.
Forests and Rainforests
Tropical rainforests, coniferous and deciduous forests fall in the category of terrestrial ecosystems. Tropical rainforests contain a diverse variety of species and are subject to abundant moisture and little to no temperature variation. Rainforests experience approximately 250 cm of rain each year. Deciduous forests are found in the Northeastern United States and Canada. They are characterized by hot summers and cold winters and experience between 75 and 250 cm of rainfall per year. On the other hand, coniferous forests experience a short growing season with cold winters and between 20 and 60 cm of rainfall.
Desserts and Savannas
Deserts are dry, arid environments with scattered grasses. They experience as little as 20 cm of rainfall each year. Savannas, wide open spaces with few trees, are found in Africa, South America and Australia. Tress in the savanna are not typically grouped together, with large spaces in between. Savannas operate on a yearly rainfall cycle, getting between 90 and 150 cm of rain per year.
Temperate Grasslands and Tundra
Temperate grasslands are characterized by rich soil and tall dense grasses. They are located in the central United States and Asia. Grasslands receive between 10 and 60 cm of rainfall a year. Tundra on the other hand, is dry, windswept ground that is continually frozen throughout the year. Tundra is found in the arctic. Organisms living in the tundra have adapted to harsh climates and scarce vegetation.
Oceans
Ocean ecosystems cover approximately 75 percent of the earth's surface. The ocean is so vast that it can be broken up into three marine sub-ecosystems including shallow water, surface and deep ocean environments. Photosynthetic plankton is the basis of the food chain in ocean ecosystems, with 40 percent of all photosynthesis occurring in the ocean. However, photosynthesis cannot occur in deep ocean waters, as light cannot penetrate to the bottom.
Freshwater
Freshwater ecosystems consist of rivers, lakes and marshlands. Occupying 1.8 percent of the earth's surface, freshwater ecosystems are home to such species as fish, amphibians, insects and plants. The basis of the food chain in freshwater ecosystems is small microscopic organisms called freshwater plankton.