The Types of Ecosystem

The Types of Ecosystem

There are majorly three types of ecosystems– Terrestrial ecosystem, freshwater ecosystem, and ocean water ecosystem. Again, many more kinds of ecosystems come under the terrestrial ecosystems which are the forest ecosystems, grassland ecosystems, desert ecosystems, and the tundra. 

Forest Ecosystems

Forests are natural plant ecosystems that are dominated by flowering plants. There are plenty of shrubs, trees, herbs, and climbers to be found. They are classified into the following categories based on the type of tree and climate:

• Tropical Rainforest:

Distribution: They’re found in locations with a lot of rain on either side of the equator.

These forests can be found in Southeast Asia, India’s western coast, South America, and sections of Africa.

Climate: Tropical rainforests grow in locations with high temperatures and humidity, as well as annual rainfall of more than 200 cm. Humus is abundant in the soil.

Flora and Fauna: These woods have high biodiversity, for example, the Brazilian tropical rain forests have around 300 tree species in a 200 square kilometre region. Trees typically reach a height of 50 to 60 metres. Epiphytes such as creepers, vines, orchids, and woody creepers thrive in these woodlands. Tree-dwelling animals such as flying squirrels, monkeys, centipedes, snails, and millipedes, as well as many insect species, can be found in the forests.

• Tropical Savanna Forest:

Distribution: These forests can be found throughout Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia, and sections of India.

Climate: Rainfall is seasonal, but it is heavy (annually about 100 cm to 150cm). A warm climate with alternate dry and wet seasons characterise these woodlands.

Flora and fauna: In this habitat, dominant species include the zebra, elephant, kangaroo (only found in Australia), giraffe, and others.

• Temperate Deciduous Forest:

Distribution: The forest can be found primarily in eastern North America, Eastern Europe, Korea, northern China, Japan, Australia, and far eastern Russia. Deciduous forest trees lose their leaves in the autumn and reappear in the spring with new growth.

Climate: These woods can be found in locations with moderate climatic conditions, such as temperatures ranging from 10 to 20°C, a six-month winter, and annual rainfall of 75 to 150 cm. They have richly nutrient-dense brown soils.

Flora and Fauna:

Beech, oak, chestnut, heath, pine, and birch are some of the common trees. These forests are also stratified, with a sapling, shrub, and tall herb understory. Bison, deer, and rats are among the most prominent grazers. Rodents play an important role in these woods. Their favourite foods are seeds, veggies, and tree leaves. These forests are home to omnivores including black bears, raccoons, wild cats, wolves, foxes, and skunks. Hibernation, often known as winter slumber, is a frequent feature of animals found in these woodlands during the winter. Invertebrates include green flies, aphids, certain moths, and butterflies.

• Temperate Shrub Forest:

Distribution: These shrub woods are also known as Mediterranean shrub forests. Such forests can be found in South Australia, along the Mediterranean, in South Africa, along the California coast, and in Chile, among other places.

Climate: Only in the winter does it rain here. The temperature is moderate and there is less rain. A dry environment with wet air characterises these woodlands.

Flora and fauna: Broad leaves and sticky plants, such as rubber, make up the vegetation. Small animals, reptiles, and large mammals are all common species in this habitat.

• Boreal or North Coniferous Forests:

Distribution: The term ‘Taiga’ refers to a type of coniferous forest. They form a continuous strip over North America and North Eurasia below the northern tundra. Because there is no land at this latitude, there is no southern hemisphere analogue to these forests.

Climate: Cold, with a long, hard winter and an average annual temperature of less than 0°C.

The soils are deficient in nutrients and have an acidic pH.

Flora and Fauna: Coniferous forests have woody, drought-resistant, and evergreen trees as their flora and fauna.

Conifers (gymnosperms) are trees that bear naked seeds in cones, such as spruce, fir, and pine.

Goats, mules, deer, red squirrels, moose, and other species can be found in these forests.

Desert Ecosystem

The Desert is considered the driest land area on earth. A desert can be cold or hot. It receives very little rainfall annually. There are many types of desert ecosystems.

• Hot and dry desert ecosystem

These deserts have a hot and dry climate. They get very low annual rainfall. These deserts experience extreme temperatures. These deserts are found in Central America, South Asia, North America, Africa, and Australia. 

• Semi-arid desert ecosystem

Similar to the hot and dry desert, this ecosystem has hard rocks and stable ground with a smaller number of dunes. The temperature isn’t as extreme as the hot and dry desert. The rainfall received in these deserts is higher when compared to normal desert conditions.

• Coastal desert ecosystem

These desert ecosystems are found near water bodies like the sea and ocean. These deserts are usually affected by ocean currents. The Atacama Desert and the Namib desert are great examples of coastal desert ecosystems.

• Cold desert ecosystem

These ecosystems receive heavy rainfalls in winters and less rainfall in summers. The winters are cold with snowfall. These deserts have snow dunes. These ecosystems can be found in Greenland, Antarctica. The Gobi desert is a good example of a cold desert ecosystem.

Grassland ecosystem

The grassland ecosystems are characterised by very little vegetation due to the dry climate. These ecosystems’ vegetation includes grasses and herbs. 

There are different types of grassland ecosystems

• Tropical grassland ecosystem

The climate in these grasslands is warm throughout the year. The precipitation ranges between 50-130 cm. The soil is infertile. A good example of such an ecosystem is the Savanna.

• Temperate grassland ecosystem

These grasslands receive 25-75 cm of rainfall annually. The soil here is nutrient-rich, hence fertile. The grasses here are taller as compared to the tropical grasslands. The prairies are a good example of such an ecosystem.

• Tundra grassland ecosystem

These grasslands are located at higher altitudes in the subarctic regions. These grasslands are also called polar grasslands. 

• Desert grassland ecosystem

These grasslands are usually present in the outskirts of a desert.  These grasslands receive very low rainfall. These are the hottest and driest grassland ecosystems 

• Montane grassland ecosystem

The montane grasslands are found at higher altitudes above the tree line. The plants found in these grasslands are unique as the surfaces of the plants are waxy and furry. 

Conclusion

An ecosystem is an area where plants, animals, and other organisms interact with their habitat. A place like an aquarium can also be called an ecosystem. The ecosystem is majorly of three types- terrestrial, ocean water, and freshwater ecosystem. The terrestrial ecosystem can be further divided into forest ecosystem, grassland ecosystem, and desert ecosystem.