Types of Ecosystem

 

•What is an Ecosystem?

•The ecosystem is the structural and functional unit of ecology where the living organisms interact with each other and the nonliving things within the environment. The term “Ecosystem” was first coined by A.G.Tansley, in 1935.

•Size of Ecosystem

•An ecosystem can be as small as a drop of pond water, or as big as an ocean.

Types of Ecosystem

• There are two types of ecosystem:

•a. Natural  Ecosystem

•b. Artificial / Man-made Ecosystem

•a. Natural  Ecosystem

•These are  naturally  occurring, self sustaining ecosystems where  there no human intervention. It is of two types. i.e. 1. Terrestrial Ecosystem       2. Aquatic Ecosystem

1. Terrestrial Ecosystems:

•Terrestrial ecosystems are shuttled on land. There are different types of terrestrial ecosystems. They are as follows:

i.Forest Ecosystem

ii.Grassland Ecosystem

iii.Desert Ecosystem

i. Forest Ecosystem

•A forest ecosystem consists of several plants, animals and microorganisms that live in coordination with the abiotic factors of the forest.

•ii. Grassland Ecosystem

•Grassland ecosystem, is dominated by grasses and herbs, example of grassland ecosystems  is savanna grasslands .

•iii. Desert Ecosystem

•Deserts are regions with very little rainfall i.e bellow 25 cm/year. In desert ecosystem, Camel, Snakes, Lizards , rats and xerophytes plants are well  adapted to desert climate.

•2. Aquatic Ecosystem

•Aquatic  ecosystems  are present in a body of water. These can be further divided into two types, namely:

•i. Freshwater Ecosystem

•ii. Marine Ecosystem

•i. Freshwater Ecosystem

•The freshwater ecosystem is an aquatic ecosystem that includes lakes, ponds, rivers, streams and wetlands. Freshwater ecosystems  have a lowersalt content. There are two basic types of freshwater ecosystems:

•A. Lentic ecosystem: standing water, including pools,  ponds and lakes.

•B. Lotic ecosystem: faster moving water, for example rivers and streams.

•ii. Marine Ecosystem

•The marine ecosystem includes estuaries, seas and oceans. These have a more substantial salt content and greater biodiversity in comparison to the freshwater ecosystem. Marine ecosystems are characterized by the  biotic community that they are associated with and their physical environment.

•Estuaries:  This is typically found where rivers meet the ocean or sea. The water in these areas is brackish - a mix of freshwater flowing to the ocean and salty seawater.

•b. Artificial / Man-made Ecosystem

•An ecosystem which is created and maintained by the human beings is called artificial or man made ecosystem.

•It is not self-sustaining. Without humans, this ecosystem could not sustain itself. It has a very low species and genetic diversity.

•For examples- Corp lands such as sugar cane, maize, wheat, rice fields, orchards, gardens aquariums, greenhouses etc.

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