ENV200H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Ecological Niche, Drought, Soil Horizon
Document Summary
Geographic variation: variation in kinds and #s of species found on the planet as a function of geographic variation, biomes can be classified by a system corresponding to latitude (temperature) and humidity. Characteristic assemblage of plants and animals that have adapted and evolved to specific climatic conditions: review figure 6. 1 and 6. 2, designating large areas as biomes is somewhat of an oversimplification given the 3 dimension structure of landscape. World"s terrestrial biomes: tundra, boreal forests, chaparral etc. In aquatic systems moisture is irrelevant but temperature, light, nutrients and a variety of biological interactions remain important variables regulating species distributions: nutrients are not equally distributed into the oceans. Ecosystems services: env benefits provided by ecosystems that are often taken for granted. Wetlands purify water and provide flood and drought protection. Costas provide a buffer against storms and dilutes and removes pollutants etc.
