Chapter 11 Terrestrial Flora and Fauna

1. Chapter 11 Terrestrial Flora and Fauna • Physical Geography • A Landscape Appreciation, 9/e Victoria Alapo, Instructor Geog 1150

2. Ecosystems and Biomes Terrestrial Flora & Fauna Zoogeographic Regions The Major Biomes Human Modification of Natural Distribution Patterns Terrestrial Flora and Fauna

3. Ecosystem Meaning: Interactions among organisms and between organisms and their non-living environment. Scale: Underside of a rock to a large area of a continent. Fig. 11-1 Ecosystems and Biomes

4. Biome Introduction Large terrestrial ecosystem Recognizable assemblage of plants and animals Ecotone – transitional boundary between adjacent biomes Fig. 11-2 Dominant vegetation – Basis for biome names (see next slide)

5. Ten major biomes Tropical rainforest Tropical deciduous forest Tropical scrub Tropical savanna Desert Mediterranean woodland and shrub Midlatitude grassland Midlatitude deciduous forest Boreal forest Tundra -- Each will be discussed later

6. Environmental Adaptations Annual versus perennial life cycle: those that perish during harsh climatic stress vs. those that don’t Xerophytic adaptations (hot climate) Root, stems, leaf (e.g. Cactus) Reproductive: some complete a whole life cycle right after a heavy rain! (ephemeral plants) Fig. 11-4 Fig. 11-5

7. Hygrophytic adaptations Moisture-loving Some species require permanent immersion in water (Hydrophytes) Some species require frequent soakings with water (hygrophytes) Fig. 11-6

8. Fig. 11-7 Major natural vegetation associations

9. Example: Woodland Fig. 11-8

10. Example: Desert Fig. 11-9

11. Fig. 11-10 Vertical Zonation Most apparent in mountains due to changes in elevations over short distances

12. Introduction Often ignored as a geographical object of study Less prominent than vegetation More adaptable to environmental variability (animals move). And they’re found beyond the D zone “treeline”. E.g. Polar bears, penguins, etc. Fig. 11-37. Grizzly bears live in diverse habitats, but especially in colder climates. Terrestrial Fauna

13. Characteristics of Animals Two universal features Motile (capable of self-generated movement) Heterotrophs (not autotrophs) Consumers (incapable of manufacturing food from air, water and sunlight like plants do) Fig. 11-15, 16, 19a, 21, & 27

14. Environmental Adaptations Physiological e.g. Dromedary (one-humped camel) Behavioral, reproductive Fig. 11-19. Physiological adaptation: Large vs. small ears Fig. 11-A. Camels

15. Cooperation among Animals Symbiosis (Two dissimilar organisms living together). E.g. Cattle and birds (see next slide). Three types of symbiosis (see next slides)

16. Mutualism – mutually beneficial relationship between two organisms Fig. 11-22. Mutualism Example: Tick birds aiding African ungulates (hoofed animals)

17. Commensalism – two dissimilar organisms just living together with no injury to either Example: Barnacle living on the shell of a green mussel. Photo source: U.S.G.S. (http://cars.er.usgs.gov/posters/Nonindigenous/Green_Mussels/green_mussels.html

18. Parasitism – one organism obtaining nourishment from a host, which the parasite usually weakens or kills in the process. Example: Mistletoe, a parasite of forest trees that are widespread in North America and Europe. Photo source: http://sco.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messeldeu (This file is a shared upload and may be used by other projects.)

19. Fig. 11-23 (see text for more info) 9 Zoogeographic Regions

20. Australia Region Australia and adjacent islands Most distinctive fauna of any region due to the region’s lengthy isolation. Same for plants. Few placental mammals Fig. 11-17: Kangaroo. Fig. 11-18: Monotremes (egg-laying mammals) Echidna and duckbill platypus.

21. Summary of each biome follows… Distribution (map) Climate types Main vegetation types Fig. 11-25 (left panel, p. 330) Major Biomes (Pg 330-331)

22. Fig. 11-25 (right panel, p. 331)

23. Tropical Rainforest Distribution Climate types Main vegetation types Fig. 11-26

24. Tropical Deciduous Forest Distribution Climate types Main vegetation types Fig. 11-28

25. Tropical Scrub Distribution Climate types Main vegetation types Fig. 11-29

26. Tropical Savanna Distribution Climate types Main vegetation types Fig. 11-30

27. Desert Distribution Climate types Main vegetation types Fig. 11-31 and 11-32

28. Mediterranean Woodland and Shrub Distribution Climate types Main vegetation types Fig. 11-33 a. Moist winter b. Hot early summer c. Summer fire season d. Fire aftermath

29. Midlatitude Grassland Distribution Climate types Main vegetation types Fig. 11-34

30. Midlatitude Deciduous Forest Distribution Climate types Main vegetation types Fig. 11-35

31. Boreal Forest Distribution Climate types Main vegetation types (needle leaf) Fig. 11-36

32. Physical Removal of Organisms Plowed, paved over, cut down, overgrazed, burned, poisoned, shot, or trapped to extinction Fig. 11-40. An overgrazed range (on left) in Colorado Human Modification of Natural Distribution Patterns

33. Habitat Modification Rates Vary within the five major rainforest regions Highest removal rates in southern and southeastern Asia (teak and mahogany, especially) Fig. 11-41. Central America – one of highest rates of deforestation (due mainly to expansion of cattle ranching)

34. Removal for agriculture often results in soil erosion and low crop yields as well as wildlife habitat destruction. Fig. 11-42

35. Artificial Translocation of Organisms Example: Feral (“wild”) burros from mining days the U.S. southwestern desert. Kudzu invasive plants, found in Georgia, etc. Giant African snails in Brazil. Fig. 11-43

36. Biotic Rearrangement: The Sad Case of Florida Major world center for plant and animal import industry Many exotic species have spread to the natural ecosystems of the state, upsetting their balance and causing extinction of native organisms. Examples: Fig. 11-45. Walking catfish from Southeast Asia