Plants and animals occupy niches in the ecosystem. Predation, and competition between individuals, keeps populations in check. A wide variety of plant life provides a foundation for this ecosystem. This biome produces about 3500 Kilocalories of plant tissue per square meter per year. However, animals must burn food every day, so the number of animals is limited to the number that the annual production can support.
Animals adapt to winter food scarcity by migration and hibernation.
Elizabeth Anne Viau. All rights reserved. This material may be used by individuals for instructional purposes but not sold.