The 6 types of ecosystems: the different habitats found on Earth.

Nature finds different ways to create living systems full of flora and fauna.

Nature is characterized by always finding a way to adapt to circumstances. However, it does not do so homogeneously, nor through a single element. On the surface of our planet, for example, the main units that show variations in the landscape and the forms of life that inhabit it are called ecosystems. are called ecosystems.

Ecosystems are much more than simple "styles" with which the earth's surface is ornamented. In fact, not only do they favor the appearance of one or another type of species of animal, plant or microorganism, but there are also theorists who point out that they have radically influenced the development of different cultures and human civilizations: the way in which they developed habits and ways of thinking, and also the way in which they gained or lost power.

Types of ecosystems

Below we will see the main types of ecosystems, with their types of ecosystems, with their climatic, Biological and orographic variations..

1. Marine ecosystem

This is the largest type of ecosystem, as it covers most of the land surface. covers most of the earth's surfaceapproximately 70% of the Earth's surface. Although large areas of the different oceans have a low concentration of vertebrates, the mineral-rich water they contain is teeming with life almost everywhere.

On the other hand, the diversity of life forms also depends on the level of depth at which we find ourselves. Although some animals are present at almost any depth (as in the case of certain whales), the abyssal zones generally contain mainly small organisms, since the available organic matter is scarce.

The sea grasses of algae, coral reefs and fumaroles of the deep sea are the most important.

2. Freshwater ecosystems

Lakes and rivers are also water-based, but they are very different ecosystems from those of the seas and oceans.

In turn, there are different subtypes of freshwater ecosystems: lentic systems, lotic systems and wetlands.. The first are composed of lakes and ponds, where water moves very slowly. The latter, on the other hand, are formed by rivers, in which water slides rapidly due to gravity and the relief of the landscape. In wetlands, the elements of the ecosystem are saturated with water.

In this kind of ecosystem, small to medium-sized vertebrate types predominate, since there is not much space in which to develop. Some of the larger animals that can be found are fish such as catfish or sturgeon, certain sharks that swim up rivers (such as the bull shark), rays and a species of seal that inhabits the lakes of Finland.

3. Desert ecosystem

Deserts are characterized by the very low frequency of rainfall. Neither the fauna nor the flora is very varied, as few large life forms can survive. few large life forms can subsist in such harsh conditions, and so alterations in a desert ecosystem can beTherefore, alterations in one species produce very severe knock-on effects.

Cacti and certain fine-leaved shrubs are typical desert plants, while reptiles, some birds and small to medium-sized mammals can also become well adapted to the climate, or at least to the desert edges, which are not far from sources of water and food.

On the other hand, deserts do not always have to go hand in hand with high temperatures; in some cases, cold is predominant.

4. Mountain ecosystem

The very steep reliefs form mountains and plateaus whose verticality forms another kind of ecosystem due to the climatic and atmospheric conditions characteristic of these areas. In these areas animal life is usually very noticeable in the lower and middle zones, although not in the steep peaks.but not in the steep peaks. In the latter there is usually less biomass and less diversity of animals and plants, due to the radical change of temperatures in relatively little space, among other things.

Animals such as chamois, ibex and certain types of wolves, as well as birds of prey such as vultures and eagles, tend to be frequent in this habitat. On the other hand, in snowy areas, biodiversity is reduced, and life forms must try to camouflage themselves.

5. Forest ecosystem

This type of ecosystem is characterized by the density of trees or flora in general. It can be divided into jungle, dry forest, temperate forest and taiga. In cases where there are many trees together, the diversity of animal species is usually very high, since there are many ecological niches that can be covered by different forms of life. Different species of trees allow different food sources, different types of shelters, ways of moving on the ground or on the branches, etc., to be close by.

It must be taken into account, however, that altitude plays an important role in the presence of flora.. In many places. Above 2500 meters above sea level no trees grow.

The forests are wooded extensions in which the presence of a few species of tree prevails.

6. Artificial ecosystem

Artificial ecosystems are those in which human action has created spaces radically different from those that existed until a few years ago. from those that existed until a few millennia ago.

The presence of buildings, skyscrapers and large extensions covered by lights, cement and pavement makes some species adapt to these environments and others do not. Some clear examples of these pioneering animals are Argentine pigeons and parrots. of many large cities around the world, as well as cats. These animals benefit from the abundance of food and the relative absence of predators resulting from the presence of humans in the vicinity. On the other hand, some animals are colonizing regions where they would never have been able to live before thanks to having cities as places of passage.

Bibliographical references:

• Grumbine, R.E. (1994). What is ecosystem management? Conservation Biology 8(1):27-38.
• Jones, C.G.; Lawton, J.H.; Shachak, M. (1994). Organisms as Ecosystem Engineers. Oikos. 69 (3): pp. 373 - 386.
• Maass, J.M. and A. Martínez-Yrízar. (1990). Ecosystems: definition, origin and importance of the concept. Sciences (Esp. No.). 4: pp. 10 - 20.
• Odum, Eugene P (1971). Fundamentals of Ecology (third ed.). New York: Saunders.
• Pickett, S.T.A., and M.L. Cadenasso. (2002). The ecosystem as a multidimensional concept: meaning, model, and metaphor. Ecosystems 5: pp. 1 - 10.