Characteristics and types of ecosystems

ecosystem

Surely you've ever heard of the ecosystems. It sounds eco-friendly or ecology / ecologist, but it's not. An ecosystem is an integrated natural environment that is part of the environment and composed of both living and inert beings. Each type of ecosystem has unique and different characteristics from the rest that give it a special integrity. All ecosystems remain active and "healthy" as long as ecological balance is maintained.

These concepts may sound like Chinese to you. However, if you keep reading the post, we will inform you about all this in an easy, simple and entertaining way. Do you want to learn more about the ecosystem and the types that exist?

Definition of ecosystem

ecosystems

All the components that are part of an ecosystem have a perfect balance that results in harmony. Both living and inert beings have a functionality and there is nothing that does not "serve" in a natural environment. We may come to think that certain species of annoying insects are "useless." However, each existing species favors the vitality and function of the environment.

In addition, not only that, but it is the balance of living and non-living beings that makes planet Earth as we know it today. Science is responsible for studying all the aspects that make up ecosystems, whether natural or humanized. Since the human being has colonized most of the territory, it is a fundamental variable to introduce in the study of ecosystems.

As we have mentioned before, there are different types of ecosystems that vary both in its origin as in the types of surfaces and species that harbor in it. Each different aspect makes it special and unique. We can find terrestrial, marine, underground ecosystems and an infinity of varieties.

In each type of ecosystem, certain species predominate that have had greater evolutionary success and, therefore, better control the way they survive and expand both in number and in territory.

Ecosystem visibility

image of an ecosystem

As can be deduced from the composition of the Earth, most ecosystems are aquatic, since the planet is made up of 3/4 parts of water. Still, there are many other types of terrestrial ecosystems that have many species. Many of these types of ecosystems are known to humans, since they are not very far from urban centers.

The human being has tried to colonize all possible territories and, therefore, it has degraded countless natural environments. There may be hardly any virgin territory left on the entire planet. We have made a mark.

In an ecosystem we find two fundamental factors that we must take into account. The first are abiotic factors. As their name suggests, they are those ecosystems that do not have life and that make all relationships perfect within the ecosystem. As abiotic factors we can find the geology and topography of the terrain, the type of soil, the water and the climate.

On the other hand, we find biotic factors. These are the components that have life such as the different species of plants, animals, bacteria, fungi, viruses and protozoa. All these factors are intertwined according to what the environment needs and what is best so that life can extend over millions of years. This is what is called ecological balance. The interrelationship that exists between each component, whether abiotic or biotic, of the ecosystem has a balance so that everything is in harmony (see What is a biome?)

If the ecological balance of an ecosystem is broken, it will lose its characteristics and inevitably degrade. For example, through pollution.

Types of ecosystems

Now we are going to describe the different types of ecosystems that exist.

Natural ecosystems

terrestrial ecosystems

They are what nature has developed over thousands of years. They have a large area of ​​land since they are both terrestrial and aquatic. In these ecosystems we do not take into account the hand of man, so we leave their artificial transformations for other types of ecosystems

Artificial ecosystems

artificial ecosystems

These are what are created from the activities of the human being. These are those areas that do not have a surface created by nature itself and that, to a large extent, are created to achieve benefits on food chains. Human activity damages natural ecosystems and, therefore, an attempt is made to restore so that the named ecological balance can be restored before it is inevitable.

Terrestrial

artificial ecosystems

Are those in which biocenosis is formed and develops only in the soil and subsoil. All the characteristics of these environments have as predominant and dependent factors those such as humidity, altitude, temperature and latitude.

We find the jungles, dry, subtropical and boreal forests. We also have the desert environments.

Fresh water

freshwater ecosystems

Here are all the areas where there are lakes and rivers. We can also take into account the spaces where we have lotics and lentic. The former are those streams or springs in which a micro habitat is being formed thanks to the existing unidirectional current.

On the other hand, the lentic ones are areas of fresh water in which there are no currents. They can also be called stagnant waters.

Marinos

marine ecosystems

Marine ecosystems are the most abundant on Earth. This is due to all life on this planet began to develop in the sea. It is considered one of the most stable types of ecosystems due to the great relationship between all the components that form it. In addition, the space it occupies is incredibly large to be damaged by human hands.

Even so, the oceans and seas around the world are suffering the serious actions of human beings with negative effects such as water pollution, toxic discharges, bleaching of coral reefs, etc.

Desert

deserts

In deserts, rainfall is very low. As there is hardly any water, the flora and fauna is very scarce. The living beings that exist in these inhospitable places have a great capacity for adaptation and survival in the face of very unfavorable environmental conditions. The relationships between species of animals do not break. However, if something happens between any of the species that make up the food chain, we will have serious problems throughout the balance of species.

If one species reduces its populations we will cause disasters in the others. Deserts are very vulnerable ecosystems due to their very dry environment and their enormous differences in temperatures between day and night.

Of Mountain

mountain ecosystem

In these ecosystems we find a higher relief and, in many cases, very steep. At these heights, plants and animals cannot develop well. Biodiversity decreases as we increase in altitude. At the foot of the mountain there are numerous species and they interact with the surrounding environment. However, as we increase in altitude, the species are decreasing. We find animals such as wolves, chamois and birds of prey such as eagles and vultures.

Forest

forest ecosystem

These have a high tree density and quantities of flora and fauna. There are some ecosystems such as the jungle, the temperate forest, the taiga and the dry forest. In general, humidity, rainfall and tree density tend to favor the growth of fauna.

I hope that with this information you can learn more about the ecosystem and all its characteristics.


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