Ecoregion1.  Title: Ecoregions of Texas

2.  Ecological + region = ecoregion

3.  Root word is ecology

– Ecology is the study of the environment (abiotic and biotic factors)

4.  Region means an area of land

5.  Ecogoregion is an ecosystem with distinctive features such as plants, animals, and geography

6.  There are 12 ecoregions in Texas

What Is An Ecoregion?•  Ecoregion – a major ecosystem with distinctive

geography, characteristic plants and animals, and ecosystems that receives the same solar radiation and precipitation

•  An ecosystem with distinctive features such as plants, animals, and geography –  Classified by: Temperature

Precipitation Soil

Region 1: Piney woodsLocation: Far east Texas

•  Precipitation: The average annual rainfall is 60 to 80 inches

•  Temperature Range: the humidity is high and temperatures are range is 40-60F in January and in July as high as 70-80F .

•  Plant Life: Pine and Oak forests, Palmetto Palm, over 85 species of trees

•  Animal Life: 180 species of birds, squirrels, snakes, rabbits, opossum • Geographic Feature: Neches River, Big Thicket

Big Thicket Pine

Palmetto Leaf

Bald Cypress Marsh

Neches River

Piney Woods Mastery Check

Which of the following is NOT true about the Piney Woods ecoregion?

A. This region has a diverse population of birds.

B. Piney Woods gets little to no rainfall.

C. This ecoregion has many trees.

D. Piney Woods has swampy, marshy areas.

Region 11: Trans Pecos/Chihuahuan Desert Location: Far West Texas

• Precipitation: Many droughts, 5- 15 inches

• Temperature: Jan.: 30-50F, July: 90-100F

•  Plant Life: Cactus, Mesquite trees, grassland • Animal Life: Desert Roadrunner, Lizards Mexican Gray Wolves • Geography: Croton Peak, Mountains

Croton Peak

Roadrunner

Blooming Cactus

Grasslands

Mexican Gray Wolves

Region 7 & 8: Edwards Plateau, Llano Uplift Location: Central West Texas

•  Precipitation: Rainfall averages from 15 to 34 inches

•  Temperature range: Jan: 40-60F, July 70-80F •  Plants: Grasslands, mesquite trees, wildflowers • Animals: Mexican Free-tailed Bat, Salamander • Geography: Enchanted Rock and Canyons

Enchanted Rock

Canyon Lands

Mexican Free-tailed Bats

Texas Blind Salamander

Region 10: High Plains Location: Northwest Texas

• Precipitation: 15 -20 inches • Temperature: Jan: 30-50F, July 70-100F •  Plant Life: Grasses, bushes, trees • Animal life: Prairie dogs, ducks, geese • Geography: Palo Duro Canyon, Playa (seasonal lakes)

Playa

Prairie Dog

Palo Duro Canyon

Region 4: Gulf Coast Prairies & MarshesLocation: Southeast Texas

• Precipitation: Rainfall 50 to 60 inches per year - Lots of erosion; high humidity and warm temperatures • Temperature Range: Jan. 50-60F, July 70-80F •  Plant Life: Grasses, prairies, live oak woodlands (Very Diverse) • Animal Life: Whooping Crane, Rosette Spoonbills •  Geography: Coastal barrier islands, marshes

Barrier Island

Rosette Spoonbills

Whooping Cranes