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The balance of an ecosystem is delicate, and a disruption such as the introduction of a new element can damage it.

For example, rabbits were introduced into Australia and upset the ecological balance. Like many small native animals, rabbits live in burrows and eat plants. They thrived in Australia and competed for food and living space, which has resulted in some native animals becoming endangered.

Biomes

Scientists discuss some general ecosystem types. They call them biomes. A biome is a large area on the Earth's surface that is defined by the types of animals and plants living there. A biome can be partially defined by the local climate patterns. You may also have more than one type of biome within a larger climate zone. Here is a short list of possible biomes.
- Tropical Rainforest (Think about Brazil) - Tropical Savanna (Think about Africa) - Desert (Think about the middle east) - Mediterranean Woodland (Think about coniferous forests) - Mid-latitude Grassland (Think about Oklahoma) - Mid-latitude Deciduous Forest (Think about the east coast of North America) - Tundra (Think about frozen plains of Alaska) - Ice Caps (Think about the poles)

The Food Chain


Every living thing needs energy in order to live. Everytime animals do something (run, jump) they use energy to do so. Animals get energy from the food they eat, and all living things get energy from food. Plants use sunlight, water and nutrients to get energy (in a process called photosynthesis). Energy is necessary for living beings to grow. A food chain shows how each living thing gets food, and how nutrients and energy are passed from creature to creature. Food chains begin with plant-life, and end with animal-life. Some animals eat plants, some animals eat other animals.

A simple food chain could start with grass, which is eaten by rabbits. Then the rabbits are eaten by foxes.

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