Types of Ecosystems

 


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        An ecosystem is all the living organisms existing together in a particular area.  There are several types of ecosystems.  Some of the types are deserts, water, forests, grasslands, and tundras.

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Deserts

A hot desert is hot and dry with very little rainfall.  It has flash floods and cold nights. A cold desert's main precipitation is fog or snow.

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Desert Plants & Animals

        The most common type of desert plant is a cactus.  Desert plants have the ability to collect and store water, and to reduce water loss. 
        Desert animals have many adaptations that allow them to survive in a hostile environment.  Some desert animals include Cactus Wren, Dingo, Fat Sand Rat, Gila Monster, and Thorny Devil.
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Water Ecosystems

        Oceans are made of salt water.  They include Temperate Oceans, Tropical Oceans, and tide pools.

        Freshwater includes lakes, ponds, streams, rivers, and wetlands.  They are made of fresh water.

                 

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Forests

     There are four types of forests.  Deciduous forests have four seasons called winter, spring, summer, and fall. The leaves change color in autumn, fall off in winter, and grow back again in spring.
      Coniferous forests are made of evergreen/pine trees. These are trees that produce cones and needles. These forests have cold, long, snowy winters, and warm, humid summers.
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      Tropical Rainforests are hot, humid, and wet.  There are large amounts of rainfall.  These forests have the most diverse amount of plants and animals. They have four layers called the understory, emergent layer, canopy layer, and forest floor.
      
      Coastal forests are located on the coast of a body of water. These forests include mangroves, beach forests, peat  swamp forests, periodic swamps, freshwater swamp forests, and riparian forests.
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Grasslands

        Grasslands are big open spaces without many trees or bushes.  The types are Tall Grass Prairie, Mixed Grass Prairie, Short Grass Prairie. Grassland animals include African Elephant, Bison, Black Rhinoceros, Giraffe, Lion, and Warthog. Plants include wildflowers, milkweed plants, stinging nettle plant, and Big Bluestem grass.
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Tundras

       Tundras are located at the top of the world near the North Pole.  They have a permanently frozen layer of ground called permafrost.  They are frigid cold and have deep snow. Tundra animals include the Arctic Fox, Caribou, Musk Ox, and Polar Bear.  These animals adapt to survive in the cold. Low-growing plants bloom during the short summer season.
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