PPT: Terrestrial Ecosystems | Famous Books for UPSC Exam (Summary & Tests) PDF Download

 Page 1


Terrestrial 
Ecosystems
Page 2


Terrestrial 
Ecosystems
Introduction to Terrestrial 
Ecosystems
Terrestrial ecosystems are land-based ecological 
communities where living (biotic) and non-living 
(abiotic) components interact continuously. Despite 
covering only about 25-30% of Earth's surface 
(approximately 140-150 million square kilometers), 
these ecosystems are vital powerhouses of 
biodiversity.
These ecosystems play three critical roles:
Supporting diverse plant and animal life
Regulating global climate patterns
Providing essential resources for human survival
Page 3


Terrestrial 
Ecosystems
Introduction to Terrestrial 
Ecosystems
Terrestrial ecosystems are land-based ecological 
communities where living (biotic) and non-living 
(abiotic) components interact continuously. Despite 
covering only about 25-30% of Earth's surface 
(approximately 140-150 million square kilometers), 
these ecosystems are vital powerhouses of 
biodiversity.
These ecosystems play three critical roles:
Supporting diverse plant and animal life
Regulating global climate patterns
Providing essential resources for human survival
Key Components of Terrestrial 
Ecosystems
Biotic Components
The living elements within the ecosystem:
Producers: Plants and photosynthetic 
organisms
Consumers: Herbivores, carnivores, 
omnivores
Decomposers: Fungi, bacteria, 
invertebrates
Abiotic Components
The non-living physical and chemical 
factors:
Soil: Structure, composition, nutrients
Climate: Temperature, precipitation, 
sunlight
Topography: Elevation, slope, aspect
Water & Air: Availability and quality
The delicate balance between these components maintains ecosystem health and stability. When 
one element changes, it triggers adjustments throughout the entire system.
Page 4


Terrestrial 
Ecosystems
Introduction to Terrestrial 
Ecosystems
Terrestrial ecosystems are land-based ecological 
communities where living (biotic) and non-living 
(abiotic) components interact continuously. Despite 
covering only about 25-30% of Earth's surface 
(approximately 140-150 million square kilometers), 
these ecosystems are vital powerhouses of 
biodiversity.
These ecosystems play three critical roles:
Supporting diverse plant and animal life
Regulating global climate patterns
Providing essential resources for human survival
Key Components of Terrestrial 
Ecosystems
Biotic Components
The living elements within the ecosystem:
Producers: Plants and photosynthetic 
organisms
Consumers: Herbivores, carnivores, 
omnivores
Decomposers: Fungi, bacteria, 
invertebrates
Abiotic Components
The non-living physical and chemical 
factors:
Soil: Structure, composition, nutrients
Climate: Temperature, precipitation, 
sunlight
Topography: Elevation, slope, aspect
Water & Air: Availability and quality
The delicate balance between these components maintains ecosystem health and stability. When 
one element changes, it triggers adjustments throughout the entire system.
Environmental Factors Shaping 
Terrestrial Ecosystems
Climate
Temperature and precipitation create the 
fundamental conditions that determine 
which species can survive. Even small 
climate variations can create entirely 
different ecosystems.
Topography
Altitude, slope direction, and landforms 
affect local climate conditions, drainage 
patterns, and soil development. South-
facing slopes receive more sunlight in 
northern hemisphere.
Soil Quality
Nutrient content, texture, pH, and organic 
matter determine plant growth potential. 
Soils develop differently based on parent 
material, climate, and biological activity.
Water Availability
Unlike aquatic ecosystems, terrestrial 
systems face water limitations. Plants and 
animals have evolved specialized 
adaptations to access, conserve, and 
efficiently use water.
Page 5


Terrestrial 
Ecosystems
Introduction to Terrestrial 
Ecosystems
Terrestrial ecosystems are land-based ecological 
communities where living (biotic) and non-living 
(abiotic) components interact continuously. Despite 
covering only about 25-30% of Earth's surface 
(approximately 140-150 million square kilometers), 
these ecosystems are vital powerhouses of 
biodiversity.
These ecosystems play three critical roles:
Supporting diverse plant and animal life
Regulating global climate patterns
Providing essential resources for human survival
Key Components of Terrestrial 
Ecosystems
Biotic Components
The living elements within the ecosystem:
Producers: Plants and photosynthetic 
organisms
Consumers: Herbivores, carnivores, 
omnivores
Decomposers: Fungi, bacteria, 
invertebrates
Abiotic Components
The non-living physical and chemical 
factors:
Soil: Structure, composition, nutrients
Climate: Temperature, precipitation, 
sunlight
Topography: Elevation, slope, aspect
Water & Air: Availability and quality
The delicate balance between these components maintains ecosystem health and stability. When 
one element changes, it triggers adjustments throughout the entire system.
Environmental Factors Shaping 
Terrestrial Ecosystems
Climate
Temperature and precipitation create the 
fundamental conditions that determine 
which species can survive. Even small 
climate variations can create entirely 
different ecosystems.
Topography
Altitude, slope direction, and landforms 
affect local climate conditions, drainage 
patterns, and soil development. South-
facing slopes receive more sunlight in 
northern hemisphere.
Soil Quality
Nutrient content, texture, pH, and organic 
matter determine plant growth potential. 
Soils develop differently based on parent 
material, climate, and biological activity.
Water Availability
Unlike aquatic ecosystems, terrestrial 
systems face water limitations. Plants and 
animals have evolved specialized 
adaptations to access, conserve, and 
efficiently use water.
Major Types of Terrestrial Ecosystems 
(Biomes)
Terrestrial ecosystems are classified into major ecological zones called biomes. Each biome represents a distinct community 
of plants and animals adapted to specific environmental conditions.
F o r e s t s
Tree-dominated 
ecosystems with dense 
vegetation, including 
tropical rainforests, 
temperate deciduous 
forests, and boreal 
forests (taiga).
G r a s s l a n d s
Dominated by grasses 
with few trees, including 
tropical savannas, 
temperate prairies, and 
Eurasian steppes.
D e s e r t s
Arid regions with sparse 
vegetation and extreme 
temperature fluctuations, 
including hot deserts 
(Sahara) and cold 
deserts (Gobi).
T u n d r a
Cold, treeless plains with 
permafrost, including 
Arctic tundra near polar 
regions and alpine tundra 
at high elevations.
M o u n t a i n s
Varied ecosystems that 
change with elevation, 
creating unique 
biodiversity patterns and 
serving as water 
sources.