Ecosystem types – Differentiator

An ecosystem is the set of living beings and the environment in which they are established. These are open dynamic systems where communities of organisms interact with each other in a given physical space with common geographical and climatic elements.

The ecosystem is a level of ecological organization where the flow of matter and energy takes place. There are as many ecosystems as environments on Earth and different classifications. We present the types of ecosystems according to their physical environment and their origin.

Types of ecosystems according to their physical environment

Ecosystems develop on a physical medium or substrate that determines the fauna and flora that can inhabit them. The physical environment provides the conditions for life and the type of organisms that can survive in it.

Terrestrial ecosystems

Terrestrial ecosystems develop mainly on land or solid terrain on the surface of the planet. The terrain can be rock, soil, sand or ice. Vegetation in terrestrial ecosystems is the most extensive and diverse and the diversity of consumer and predator organisms depends on it.

Among terrestrial ecosystems we have:

• Mountain or alpine ecosystem.: these are the ecosystems that are established above the mountain line where trees no longer grow. For example, the Himalaya mountain range above 6000 m, the Andes mountain range above 3500 m.
• Xerophytic scrub: shrubs, succulents and magueys predominate in arid climates. For example, the Cataviña region in Baja California.
• Tropical forest or jungle: exist where rainfall is moderate to high and temperatures remain above 24 C most of the year. For example, the Lacandon jungle in Chiapas and Los Tuxtlas in Veracruz.
• Desert ecosystemscharacterized by aridity and little or no vegetation. For example, the Chihuahuan and Sonoran deserts in Mexico.

Marine ecosystems

Marine ecosystems develop in seas and oceans. They are characterized by flora and fauna adapted to obtain their resources from salt water: algae, phytoplankton, zooplankton and fish. They are the most extensive ecosystems on planet Earth. Among these we have:

• Coral reefs: underwater structures built by invertebrates called corals, where interactions are established between algae, corals, fish, crustaceans, dolphins, among others. For example, Veracruz Reef System National Park and Cabo Pulmo National Park.
• Open oceanThe oceans cover a large part of the Earth and have large variations in their biotic and abiotic components, which depend on latitude and water depth.
• Macroalgae forests: algae form a forest that can extend over hectares and serve as food and shelter for many marine animals.

Aquatic ecosystems

Aquatic ecosystems develop in the freshwater of rivers, streams and lakes. They feature a diversity of aquatic animals, such as fish, invertebrates and mammals.

• Riversare freshwater courses that flow from higher elevations to lower regions. For example, the Papaloapan and Coatzacoalcos rivers.
• Freshwater lakesFreshwater lakes are freshwater reservoirs on the land surface. For example, Lake Arareco and Lake Cuitzeo.

Mixed ecosystems

Mixed ecosystems are found at the boundaries between ecosystems of different environments. Thus we have:

• Marine-aquatic-terrestrial ecosystems.estuaries are ecosystems that are established where seawater and river water meet at the mouths of rivers.
• Marine-terrestrial ecosystem: concentrated in the high tide and low tide zones on rocky terrain.
• Terrestrial-aquatic ecosystem: occur in areas where land is flooded by rivers, e.g. wetlands and swamps.

You may be interested to see also Biotic and abiotic factors.

Types of ecosystems according to their origin

Natural ecosystems

Natural ecosystems are those ecosystems that are the product of the physical forces of nature. They are very flexible and dynamic and can be altered by human intervention. Some examples of natural ecosystems are:

1. Tropical forests.
2. Xerophytic thickets.
3. Deserts.
4. Coral reefs.
5. Estuaries.
6. Marshes.
7. Polar regions.

Artificial ecosystems

Artificial ecosystems are those ecosystems constructed and managed by humans, usually by altering existing natural ecosystems. They are very varied and can be found anywhere in the world. Among the artificial ecosystems we have:

• Botanical gardensare gardens where plants are brought together for a systematic study that seek to imitate one or several natural ecosystems. For example, the botanical garden of the Chapultepec Forest and of the UNAM in CDMX.
• Forest plantations: forests planted by humans for industrial purposes or as reforestation schemes.
• Agricultural systemsis an ecosystem designed by humans to increase the productivity of food for general consumption.
• GreenhousesGreenhouses: are limited and closed spaces where stable abiotic conditions are maintained for certain plant and animal species.
• Recreational parksare large public green spaces for entertainment and educational purposes in some cities. In zoological parks, some animals are also introduced, either free or in captivity.

See also: Flora and fauna and Types of climate.

Reference

Ek Rodriguez, I.L. (July 2019) Composition, structure and diversity of one hectare of tropical rainforest at the tropical biology station los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, Mexico. [Tesis Maestro en Ciencias Biológicas]. UNAM. México.

Jorgensen, S.E. (2009) Ecosystem ecology. Elsevier. Copenhagen