Republic of the Philippines

CENTRAL BICOL STATE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE

San Jose, Pili, Camarines Sur 4418
Website: www.cbsua.edu.ph
Email Address: [email protected]
Trunkline: (054) 871-5531;871-5533

BIO 106 GENERAL ECOLOGY

1ST SEMESTER 2024-2025

Terrestrial Ecosystem

Overview

A terrestrial ecosystem refers to a biological community of living organisms (plants,

animals, and microorganisms) and their physical environment that interact and coexist on land.
These ecosystems vary greatly based on geographical location, climate, soil type, and
biodiversity. They are essential in supporting life on Earth by providing food, shelter, and
processes like carbon and water cycles.

This learning material includes the definition of a terrestrial ecosystem, components,

and types of terrestrial ecosystems.

Learning objectives

1. Define terrestrial ecosystem and explain their key components;

2. Differentiate between various types of terrestrial ecosystem;
3. Describe the unique features of flora and fauna of major terrestrial ecosytems.

Introduction

Terrestrial ecosystem is an important part of Earth’s biosphere, covering approximately

30% of the surface. They encompass various landforms, including forests, grasslands,
deserts, and tundras. These ecosystems are shaped by climate such as temperature and
rainfall determine the type of vegetation and wildlife. The soil where nutrient content and
moisture influence plant growth and, topography like mountains, valleys, and plains contribute
to habitat diversity.

Types of Terrestrial Ecosystems

1. Dessert ecosystems are arid, hot, low-rainfall regions with strong winds and a lack of
water. The annual rainfall is less than 50cm or 20 inches per year. These cover around
20% of the earth's total surface because of the extreme conditions it is considered with
lower biodiversity compared to other ecosystems.

Producers of this ecosystem are called xerophytic which means drought resistant like
the cacti, acacia, euphorbia, prickly pears, whereas, consumers shrews, foxes,
woodrats, rabbits, camels, and goats. Reptiles and burrowing rodents are the major
consumers and small in size. Desert plants have adapted to the extreme heat and arid
climate to conserve water resulting in missing or reduced leaves, leaves and stems
have high water-retention capacity, some plant stems contain chlorophyll for
photosynthesis and have extensive root systems. Animals in this ecosystem have
physical and behavioral adaptations such as fast runners, preferring nocturnal to avoid
the intense heat, and producing concentrated pee enabling them to conserve water,
 other animals and birds have long legs to keep their bodies away from the earth’s heat,
lizards consume insects and can survive without water for several days, herbivores
acquire sufficient hydration seeds they swallow and camels referred to as desert ship
due to its ability to transverse vast distance for several days without consuming water.

Based on climate and temperature, deserts are categorized into two, such as, hot
deserts and cold deserts. The Sahara Desert is an example of a hot desert
characterized by hot temperatures, minimal precipitation, and complex plant and
animal life. Deserts can be divided into five types—subtropical, coastal, rain shadow,
interior, and polar. Deserts are divided into these types according to the causes of their
dryness. (Refer to the provided online resources)

2. Forests Ecosystem-Forests cover around 30 to 35 million square kilometres of the

earth’s surface and are home to more than 300 million species of plants and animals. They
provide a natural habitat for a broad variety of living organisms and have the highest
species diversity. These habitats include several forest types, including temperate
deciduous forests, plantation forests, and tropical rainforests.

a. Tropical Rain Forest

These can be found on both sides of the equator in areas with abundant
precipitation. Tropical rainforests are located in areas with high temperatures, high
humidity, and more than 200 cm of annual precipitation. The soil is plentiful in
humus. Located along the western coast of India, as well as in Southeast Asia,
Africa, and South America. The biotic components of Tropical Rain Forests exhibit
a rich diversity of species. For example, the 200-square-kilometer-large Brazilian
tropical rain woods are home to more than 300 species of trees. Trees can attain
heights between 50 and 60 metres. In these woodlands, epiphytes such as vines,
creepers, woody creepers, and orchids thrive. These forests are teeming with tree-
dwelling heterotrophs such as monkeys, flying squirrels, snails, centipedes, and
millipedes, as well as numerous insect species.

b. Temperate Deciduous Forest

These forests grow in places with average weather, like temperatures between 10
and 20 degrees Celsius, a six-month winter, and 75 to 150 centimeters of rain a
year. Leaves fall off deciduous forest trees in the fall, and in the spring, new leaves
grow. Usually in the northwest, central, and eastern parts of Europe, the eastern
parts of North America, north China, Korea, Japan, and far eastern Russia, as well
as Australia. Their soils are brown and full of nutrients. These forests also have
different levels, with young trees, bushes, and tall herbs in the understory.

Consumers in this forest are oak, beech, heath, chestnut, birch, and pine are all
common trees. Some of the most well-known herbivores are deer, bison, and rats.
Rodents play an important role in these woods. Their main food sources are seeds,
fruits, and tree leaves. Omnivores that can be found in this forest are black bears,
raccoons, wild cats, wolves, foxes, and skunks. Hibernation, or sleeping through
the winter, is something that many animals in these woods do. The invertebrate
fauna includes green flies, aphids, some moths, and butterflies
 c. Boreal or coniferous Forest

This forest is also known as “Taiga”. Located below the northern tundra, they
make a strip that goes all the way across North America and North Eurasia.
The weather is cold and the average temperature is below 0 degrees Celsius
where the winter is in a long period. The soil is acidic and lacks nutrients.
Producers are coniferous forest green, can handle drought and have woody
plants. Consumers are red squirrels, deer, goat, mules, moose and other
animals. Carnivores that can be found in this forest are wolves, lynxes, and
bears.

3. Grassland are places that are mostly made up of grass. They make up the most common
kind of plant and medium-sized trees scattered. They live on about 20% of the land on the
surface of the Earth. Can grow in both tropical and temperate climates. Can be found in
clear seasons such as dry, hot or warm and wet. This is also called savannas. Usually in
Eastern Africa, South America, Australia and India. Consumers are zebras, fozes and
antelopes. Lot of rodents, reptiles and insects. Two types are tropical grassland and
temperate grassland.

4. Tundra is any terrestrial ecosystem that has an annual temperature range from 34 degrees
Celsius to 12 degrees Celsius. oldest areas of the terrestrial ecosystem. These areas
receive low precipitation between the range of 15 to 25 cm annually. Poor soil is found along
with short summers. Biodiversity and vegetation in tundras are very limited. It primarily
consists of shrubs, grasses, mosses, and lichens. The biodiversity and vegetation in tundra
areas is limited due to underlying permafrost. Wildlife in the tundra area is special because
they endure its harsh conditions. Tundras are of two types. One is the Arctic located north
of Boreal Forest and the second is alpine, situated on high mountains.

Terrestrial Habitat Plants

a. Mesophyte-can grow with just enough water. It also kept the root, shoot and vascular
structure of a healthy plant.
b. Xerophyte-grow in deserts, where climate is dry and the environment is hot. They kept
water in the thick, fleshy part of their stems. It has small leaves that help slow down the
water loss.

Terrestrial Habitat Animals

a. Desert Animals
o These animals, like camels and rodents, have thick skin and an organ in their
bodies that stores water.
b. Arboreal Animals
o Arboreal animals have curved bodies and strong chests that help them climb and
move between branches. Squirrels and chameleons are examples of arboreal
animals.
c. Fossorial Animals
o These animals live in underground burrows. Their front legs are short, and their
heads are shaped like a stout stick. Rats and rabbits are examples of animals that
dig holes.
d. Cursory Animals
o Most of the time, these animals live or move on hard, open ground and have strong
legs. For example, like horses and deer.
e. Aerial Animals
o The forelimbs of these animals are usually streamlined and are usually made into
wings.