Types Of Ecosystems

Terrestrial ecosystem

Aquatic ecosystem

Artificial or domesticated ecosystem

Forest - an ecosystem with a high density of trees and other woody vegetation

Grassland - vegetation is dominated by grasses and other herbaceous (non-woody) plants. Too dry for forests but that have sufficient soil water to support a herbaceous plant canopy that is lacking in deserts

Desert - receives an extremely low amount of precipitation. Average annual precipitation of less than 250 mm per year or as areas where more water is lost by evapotranspiration than falls as precipitation

Freshwater - lake, pond - very low salt content (0.5 ppt or less)

Marine - ocean, estuaries - very high salt content (35 ppt or less)

Maintained artificially by man by the addition of energy

Eg. croplands

Categorised on the basis of whether the water is moving (streams, rivers) or still (ponds, lakes) and whether the water is fresh, saline or brackish

Marine ecosystem - 70% of the earth’s surface and are largest aquatic ecosystems of the earth

Freshwater ecosystems - lakes, ponds, rivers, streams and springs and cover about 2% of the earth’s surface

Lentic ecosystems (still water)

Lodic ecosystems (flowing water)

Classified on the basis of light penetration (euphotic, disphotic and aphotic zones)

Distance from shore and water depth (littoral or intertidal, neritic and oceanic zones)

Open water (pelagic zone)

Bottom (benthic zone)

Shoreline between land and ocean

Shallow water zone over the continental shelf, a water depth of about 200 m

Deep water zone beyond the continental shelf

Open ocean

Further divided into five different zones

Sunlight zone

Photosynthesis occurs and thus most diversity

From 200 to 1000 meters

Little light penetrates

Water depth from 1000 to 4000m

To a water depth of 6000 m

Water temp near freezing

Water deeper than 6000 m

Found in deep trenches

Deepest parts of the ocean

Bottom of the ocean

Regions where the ocean floor is swelling and gradual upwelling of mineral rich fluid from earths interior

Seawater that percolates downwards towards the hot molten rock is heated and driven back upwards, carrying minerals leached from the hot rock

Minerals solidify as they cool, forming chimney like structures

Black smokers - emit a cloud of black materials - deposits mainly iron sulfide, which is black

White smokers - emit a cloud of white material - deposition of barium, calcium and silicon which are white

Temperature gradient from more than 350C near the core down to 2-3C in the surrounding ocean

Various chemoautotrophs live near the vent at about 150C and are directly fuelled by the geochemical energy

Bacteria use soulful compounds, particularly hydrogen sulfide to produce organic materials (carbohydrates) by the process of chemosynthesis

Many animals like the giant tube worms (Riftia pachyptila) have colonies of these bacteria inside their body and use the sugars made by the bacteria for energy

Various chemoautotrophs live near the vent at about 150C and are directly fuelled by the geochemical energy

Bacteria use soulful compounds, particularly hydrogen sulfide to produce organic materials (carbohydrates) by the process of chemosynthesis

Many animals like the giant tube worms (Riftia pachyptila) have colonies of these bacteria inside their body and use the sugars made by the bacteria for energy

Found only in warm tropical waters and at relatively shallow depths, coral reefs are among the most productive ecosystems of the planet

One quarter of marine species depend on coral reefs for food, shelter or both

Called the rainforests of the sea

Are marine invertebrates in the class Anthozoa of phylum Cnidaria

Each soft bodied polyp secretes a hard outed skeleton of calcium carbonate that attaches either to rock or the dead skeletons of other polyps

Various chemoautotrophs live near the vent at about 150C and are directly fuelled by the geochemical energy

Bacteria use soulful compounds, particularly hydrogen sulfide to produce organic materials (carbohydrates) by the process of chemosynthesis

Many animals like the giant tube worms (Riftia pachyptila) have colonies of these bacteria inside their body and use the sugars made by the bacteria for energy

Found only in warm tropical waters and at relatively shallow depths, coral reefs are among the most productive ecosystems of the planet

One quarter of marine species depend on coral reefs for food, shelter or both

Called the rainforests of the sea

Are marine invertebrates in the class Anthozoa of phylum Cnidaria

Each soft bodied polyp secretes a hard outed skeleton of calcium carbonate that attaches either to rock or the dead skeletons of other polyps

Generally found at depths less than 45 m

Mutualistic relationship with photosynthetic algae called zooxanthellae - which live in their tissues

Corals provide algae with a protective environment and the compounds they need for photosynthesis

In return, algae produce oxygen and help the corals to remove wastes

Occur in much deeper and colder oceanic waters and lack zooxanthellae

Precipitation from calcium necessary to form coral exoskeleton

Precipitation occurs when water Temperature and salinity bad high and carbon dioxide concentration is low

Transition area between river and sea

Semi enclosed body of water where freshwater form land runoff mixed with sea water

Driven by tides but sheltered from the full force of ocean wind and waves

Combination of both waters called brackish water

Transition area between river and sea

Semi enclosed body of water where freshwater form land runoff mixed with sea water

Driven by tides but sheltered from the full force of ocean wind and waves

Combination of both waters called brackish water

Among the most productive in the world

Several entirely freshwater ecosystems have similar characteristics to the traditional brackish water estuaries

Transition area between river and sea

Semi enclosed body of water where freshwater form land runoff mixed with sea water

Driven by tides but sheltered from the full force of ocean wind and waves

Combination of both waters called brackish water

Among the most productive in the world

Several entirely freshwater ecosystems have similar characteristics to the traditional brackish water estuaries

Average salinity 0.5 ppt or less i.e. very low salt content

Transition area between river and sea

Semi enclosed body of water where freshwater form land runoff mixed with sea water

Driven by tides but sheltered from the full force of ocean wind and waves

Combination of both waters called brackish water

Among the most productive in the world

Several entirely freshwater ecosystems have similar characteristics to the traditional brackish water estuaries

Average salinity 0.5 ppt or less i.e. very low salt content

Study of physical, chemical and biological properties of fresh water

Also called riverine ecosystems

Moving water

Also called lacustrine ecosystems

Standing water

Transition area between river and sea

Semi enclosed body of water where freshwater form land runoff mixed with sea water

Driven by tides but sheltered from the full force of ocean wind and waves

Combination of both waters called brackish water

Among the most productive in the world

Several entirely freshwater ecosystems have similar characteristics to the traditional brackish water estuaries

Average salinity 0.5 ppt or less i.e. very low salt content

Study of physical, chemical and biological properties of fresh water

Also called riverine ecosystems

Moving water

Also called lacustrine ecosystems

Standing water

Inland body of standing water usually larger and deeper than ponds

Different zones

Littoral

Limnetic

Profundal

Benthic

Transition area between river and sea

Semi enclosed body of water where freshwater form land runoff mixed with sea water

Driven by tides but sheltered from the full force of ocean wind and waves

Combination of both waters called brackish water

Among the most productive in the world

Several entirely freshwater ecosystems have similar characteristics to the traditional brackish water estuaries

Average salinity 0.5 ppt or less i.e. very low salt content

Study of physical, chemical and biological properties of fresh water

Also called riverine ecosystems

Moving water

Also called lacustrine ecosystems

Standing water

Inland body of standing water usually larger and deeper than ponds

Different zones

Littoral

Limnetic

Profundal

Benthic

Closest to the shore

Wide variety of rooted plant species

Warm environment

Open water farther from shore and is dominated by planktons

Transition area between river and sea

Semi enclosed body of water where freshwater form land runoff mixed with sea water

Driven by tides but sheltered from the full force of ocean wind and waves

Combination of both waters called brackish water

Among the most productive in the world

Several entirely freshwater ecosystems have similar characteristics to the traditional brackish water estuaries

Average salinity 0.5 ppt or less i.e. very low salt content

Study of physical, chemical and biological properties of fresh water

Also called riverine ecosystems

Moving water

Also called lacustrine ecosystems

Standing water

Inland body of standing water usually larger and deeper than ponds

Different zones

Littoral

Limnetic

Profundal

Benthic

Closest to the shore

Wide variety of rooted plant species

Warm environment

Open water farther from shore and is dominated by planktons

Deeper region than limnetic zone

Contains only heterotrophs

Bottom of the lake

Communities of organisms commonly called benthos

Divided into photic and aphotic zones

Divided into photic and aphotic zones

Uppermost layer of water in a lake that is illuminated with sunlight

Depths beyond which less than 1% of sunlight penetrates

Divided into photic and aphotic zones

Uppermost layer of water in a lake that is illuminated with sunlight

Depths beyond which less than 1% of sunlight penetrates

Photosynthesis rate decline with depth due to sunlight, whereas respiration is relatively constant with depth

Where photosynthesis is equal to respiration

Divided into photic and aphotic zones

Uppermost layer of water in a lake that is illuminated with sunlight

Depths beyond which less than 1% of sunlight penetrates

Photosynthesis rate decline with depth due to sunlight, whereas respiration is relatively constant with depth

Where photosynthesis is equal to respiration

Include producers, consumers and decomposers

Macrophytes - rooted or large floating plants

Phytoplankton - minute floating plants, distributed throughout the lake as deep as light penetrates

Plankton - free floating organisms

Nekton - free swimming organisms

Benthos - bottom dwelling organisms

Neuston- epineuston (float on top of water) and hyponeuston (live right under the surface)

Periphyton - organisms attached to submerged surfaces

Epilimnion- freely circulating warm surface water with small temperature gradient (summer)

Metalimnion - (or thermocline) characterised by a steep decline in temperature, separates the more uniformly warm upper layer from more uniformly cold deeper waters

Hypolimnion - deep cold layer of dense water where no temperature gradient is evident

Thermocline checks the mixing of water between epilimnion and hypolimnion

In freshwater lotic ecosystems, thermal stratification is not observed

Lake water has the same temperature from surface to bottom

Surface water can be pushed to the lake bottom and bottom water can rise to the surface

Large amounts of oxygen can reach bottom of the lake

Called spring overturn

Lake water has the same temperature from surface to bottom

Surface water can be pushed to the lake bottom and bottom water can rise to the surface

Large amounts of oxygen can reach bottom of the lake

Called spring overturn

Layer of warm water at the surface - epilimnion

Then thermocline and hypolimnion

Wind circulates the surface water but can’t penetrate cold hypolimnion

This water only mixed in the epilimnion

Lake water has the same temperature from surface to bottom

Surface water can be pushed to the lake bottom and bottom water can rise to the surface

Large amounts of oxygen can reach bottom of the lake

Called spring overturn

Layer of warm water at the surface - epilimnion

Then thermocline and hypolimnion

Wind circulates the surface water but can’t penetrate cold hypolimnion

This water only mixed in the epilimnion

Uniform temperature and wind can mix the lake water thoroughly

Surface water cold and thus sinks and is overturned

Autumn overturn

Surface water is eventually cooled below 4C

Water temperature at the surface reaches 0 C, ice begins to cover the surface of the lake

Inverse stratification

Water bodies receives excessive inorganic nutrients mainly phosphorus and nitrogen

Stimulate excessive plant and algal growth

Called algal bloom

Two types - natural and cultural

Water bodies receives excessive inorganic nutrients mainly phosphorus and nitrogen

Stimulate excessive plant and algal growth

Called algal bloom

Two types - natural and cultural

Areas inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater

Water bodies receives excessive inorganic nutrients mainly phosphorus and nitrogen

Stimulate excessive plant and algal growth

Called algal bloom

Two types - natural and cultural

Areas inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater

Marsh

Swamp

Bogs

Fens

Most productive wetlands characterised by mineral soils and are typically dominated by grasses and floating leaved plants

Forested wetlands characterised by mineral soil, seasonally or permanently flooded and dominated by trees

Most productive wetlands characterised by mineral soils and are typically dominated by grasses and floating leaved plants

Forested wetlands characterised by mineral soil, seasonally or permanently flooded and dominated by trees

Organic soil wetlands

Accumulation of plant materials

Also called peat lands due to ability to form peat

Acidic, unproductive wetlands that develop in relatively cool but wet climates

Receive water exclusively from rainfall not from streams or groundwater

Depends on rainwater for their supply of nutrients

Since rainwater has very little nutrient content bog has very poor nutrient level

Dominant species in bogs are mosses

Are alkaline

Receive water from surface or groundwater sources

Acidic, unproductive wetlands that develop in relatively cool but wet climates

Receive water exclusively from rainfall not from streams or groundwater

Depends on rainwater for their supply of nutrients

Since rainwater has very little nutrient content bog has very poor nutrient level

Dominant species in bogs are mosses

Are alkaline

Receive water from surface or groundwater sources

Intake and accumulation of a chemical in an organism by all routes of exposure including transport across respiratory surfaces, dermal absorption and dietary absorption

Acidic, unproductive wetlands that develop in relatively cool but wet climates

Receive water exclusively from rainfall not from streams or groundwater

Depends on rainwater for their supply of nutrients

Since rainwater has very little nutrient content bog has very poor nutrient level

Dominant species in bogs are mosses

Are alkaline

Receive water from surface or groundwater sources

Intake and accumulation of a chemical in an organism by all routes of exposure including transport across respiratory surfaces, dermal absorption and dietary absorption

Intake and accumulation of a chemical only through respiratory or dermal surfaces

Acidic, unproductive wetlands that develop in relatively cool but wet climates

Receive water exclusively from rainfall not from streams or groundwater

Depends on rainwater for their supply of nutrients

Since rainwater has very little nutrient content bog has very poor nutrient level

Dominant species in bogs are mosses

Are alkaline

Receive water from surface or groundwater sources

Intake and accumulation of a chemical in an organism by all routes of exposure including transport across respiratory surfaces, dermal absorption and dietary absorption

Intake and accumulation of a chemical only through respiratory or dermal surfaces

Bioaccumulation in animals in increasing concentration at successive trophic levels

Acidic, unproductive wetlands that develop in relatively cool but wet climates

Receive water exclusively from rainfall not from streams or groundwater

Depends on rainwater for their supply of nutrients

Since rainwater has very little nutrient content bog has very poor nutrient level

Dominant species in bogs are mosses

Are alkaline

Receive water from surface or groundwater sources

Intake and accumulation of a chemical in an organism by all routes of exposure including transport across respiratory surfaces, dermal absorption and dietary absorption

Intake and accumulation of a chemical only through respiratory or dermal surfaces

Bioaccumulation in animals in increasing concentration at successive trophic levels

A land spanning more than 0.5 hectares with trees higher than 5 m and a canopy cover of more than 10%

Very dense forests

Moderately dense forests

Open forests

Very dense forests

Moderately dense forests

Open forests

Canopy density of 70% and above

Canopy density between 40% and 70%

Very dense forests

Moderately dense forests

Open forests

Canopy density of 70% and above

Canopy density between 40% and 70%

Canopy density between 10% and 40%

Very dense forests

Moderately dense forests

Open forests

Canopy density of 70% and above

Canopy density between 40% and 70%

Canopy density between 10% and 40%

Taiga forests

Temperate forests and

Tropical forests

Very dense forests

Moderately dense forests

Open forests

Canopy density of 70% and above

Canopy density between 40% and 70%

Canopy density between 10% and 40%

Taiga forests

Temperate forests and

Tropical forests

Located at higher latitudes close to the polar regions

Is dominated by needle leaved, drought tolerant and evergreen trees

Winters long and very cold and summers are short and cool

Precipitation occurs primarily in the form of snow, 40-100 cm

Very dense forests

Moderately dense forests

Open forests

Canopy density of 70% and above

Canopy density between 40% and 70%

Canopy density between 10% and 40%

Taiga forests

Temperate forests and

Tropical forests

Located at higher latitudes close to the polar regions

Is dominated by needle leaved, drought tolerant and evergreen trees

Winters long and very cold and summers are short and cool

Precipitation occurs primarily in the form of snow, 40-100 cm

Temperate climatic zone (between the tropics and boreal regions) , northern and Southern Hemisphere

Four seasons forests

Winters are mild and rainfall is moderate

Mix of deciduous, broad leaved and coniferous evergreen trees

Simpler in structure than tropical forests and support a lesser number of tree species

Very dense forests

Moderately dense forests

Open forests

Canopy density of 70% and above

Canopy density between 40% and 70%

Canopy density between 10% and 40%

Taiga forests

Temperate forests and

Tropical forests

Located at higher latitudes close to the polar regions

Is dominated by needle leaved, drought tolerant and evergreen trees

Winters long and very cold and summers are short and cool

Precipitation occurs primarily in the form of snow, 40-100 cm

Temperate climatic zone (between the tropics and boreal regions) , northern and Southern Hemisphere

Four seasons forests

Winters are mild and rainfall is moderate

Mix of deciduous, broad leaved and coniferous evergreen trees

Simpler in structure than tropical forests and support a lesser number of tree species

Low altitude zones near the equator

Evergreen forests and moist forests

Seasonal tropical forests and mangrove forests

High rainfall with annual rainfall in the case of tropical rainforests exceeds 200 cm and high temperature (average temperature between 20-25 C)

Very dense forests

Moderately dense forests

Open forests

Canopy density of 70% and above

Canopy density between 40% and 70%

Canopy density between 10% and 40%

Taiga forests

Temperate forests and

Tropical forests

Located at higher latitudes close to the polar regions

Is dominated by needle leaved, drought tolerant and evergreen trees

Winters long and very cold and summers are short and cool

Precipitation occurs primarily in the form of snow, 40-100 cm

Temperate climatic zone (between the tropics and boreal regions) , northern and Southern Hemisphere

Four seasons forests

Winters are mild and rainfall is moderate

Mix of deciduous, broad leaved and coniferous evergreen trees

Simpler in structure than tropical forests and support a lesser number of tree species

Low altitude zones near the equator

Evergreen forests and moist forests

Seasonal tropical forests and mangrove forests

High rainfall with annual rainfall in the case of tropical rainforests exceeds 200 cm and high temperature (average temperature between 20-25 C)

Perennial grass species

High primary productivity and relatively low biomass

Two types of grassland ecosystems- tropical and temperate grasslands

Very dense forests

Moderately dense forests

Open forests

Canopy density of 70% and above

Canopy density between 40% and 70%

Canopy density between 10% and 40%

Taiga forests

Temperate forests and

Tropical forests

Located at higher latitudes close to the polar regions

Is dominated by needle leaved, drought tolerant and evergreen trees

Winters long and very cold and summers are short and cool

Precipitation occurs primarily in the form of snow, 40-100 cm

Temperate climatic zone (between the tropics and boreal regions) , northern and Southern Hemisphere

Four seasons forests

Winters are mild and rainfall is moderate

Mix of deciduous, broad leaved and coniferous evergreen trees

Simpler in structure than tropical forests and support a lesser number of tree species

Low altitude zones near the equator

Evergreen forests and moist forests

Seasonal tropical forests and mangrove forests

High rainfall with annual rainfall in the case of tropical rainforests exceeds 200 cm and high temperature (average temperature between 20-25 C)

Perennial grass species

High primary productivity and relatively low biomass

Two types of grassland ecosystems- tropical and temperate grasslands

Scattered individual trees

Warm and hot climates where the annual rainfall is between 30-50 cm per year

Distinct wet and dry season

Many plants are xerophytic in nature

Very dense forests

Moderately dense forests

Open forests

Hot summer and cold winters

Amount of rainfall (25 to 75 cm) is less than in Savannas

Found in all continents except Antarctica

Canopy density of 70% and above

Canopy density between 40% and 70%

Canopy density between 10% and 40%

Taiga forests

Temperate forests and

Tropical forests

Located at higher latitudes close to the polar regions

Is dominated by needle leaved, drought tolerant and evergreen trees

Winters long and very cold and summers are short and cool

Precipitation occurs primarily in the form of snow, 40-100 cm

Temperate climatic zone (between the tropics and boreal regions) , northern and Southern Hemisphere

Four seasons forests

Winters are mild and rainfall is moderate

Mix of deciduous, broad leaved and coniferous evergreen trees

Simpler in structure than tropical forests and support a lesser number of tree species

Low altitude zones near the equator

Evergreen forests and moist forests

Seasonal tropical forests and mangrove forests

High rainfall with annual rainfall in the case of tropical rainforests exceeds 200 cm and high temperature (average temperature between 20-25 C)

Perennial grass species

High primary productivity and relatively low biomass

Two types of grassland ecosystems- tropical and temperate grasslands

Scattered individual trees

Warm and hot climates where the annual rainfall is between 30-50 cm per year

Distinct wet and dry season

Many plants are xerophytic in nature

Very dense forests

Moderately dense forests

Open forests

Hot summer and cold winters

Amount of rainfall (25 to 75 cm) is less than in Savannas

Found in all continents except Antarctica

Very little precipitation (avg annual precipitation of less than 250 mm or 10 inches)

Amount of evaporation greatly exceeds annual rainfall

All deserts are arid

Desert dwellers rely on groundwater, stores in aquifers below the surface

Canopy density of 70% and above

Canopy density between 40% and 70%

Canopy density between 10% and 40%

Taiga forests

Temperate forests and

Tropical forests

Located at higher latitudes close to the polar regions

Is dominated by needle leaved, drought tolerant and evergreen trees

Winters long and very cold and summers are short and cool

Precipitation occurs primarily in the form of snow, 40-100 cm

Temperate climatic zone (between the tropics and boreal regions) , northern and Southern Hemisphere

Four seasons forests

Winters are mild and rainfall is moderate

Mix of deciduous, broad leaved and coniferous evergreen trees

Simpler in structure than tropical forests and support a lesser number of tree species

Low altitude zones near the equator

Evergreen forests and moist forests

Seasonal tropical forests and mangrove forests

High rainfall with annual rainfall in the case of tropical rainforests exceeds 200 cm and high temperature (average temperature between 20-25 C)

Perennial grass species

High primary productivity and relatively low biomass

Two types of grassland ecosystems- tropical and temperate grasslands

Scattered individual trees

Warm and hot climates where the annual rainfall is between 30-50 cm per year

Distinct wet and dry season

Many plants are xerophytic in nature

Hot summers and cold winters

Rainfall (25 to 75 cm)

Found in all continents except Antarctica

Very little precipitation below 250 mm

Many desert dwellers rely on groundwater stores in aquifers below the surface