Ecosystem

Ecosystems are complex systems where living organisms interact with each other and
their physical environment. There isn’t a fixed number of ecosystems as they exist
on various scales, from small microhabitats to entire biomes. However, they can be
broadly categorized into terrestrial, aquatic, and marine ecosystems.

1. Terrestrial Ecosystems:
• Forests: Consist of trees, shrubs, and understory vegetation. Examples
include tropical rainforests, temperate forests, and boreal forests.
• Grasslands: Dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, with few trees.
Examples include prairies, savannas, and steppes.
• Deserts: Characterized by low precipitation levels and sparse
vegetation. Examples include hot deserts like the Sahara and cold deserts like the
Gobi.
• Tundra: Found in polar regions, with low temperatures and short growing
seasons. Includes Arctic and alpine tundra.
• Wetlands: Areas with saturated soils, such as marshes, swamps, and
bogs. Support diverse plant and animal life.
2. Aquatic Ecosystems:
• Freshwater Ecosystems: Include rivers, lakes, ponds, and streams.
Support a variety of fish, amphibians, and aquatic plants.
• Estuaries: Transitional zones where rivers meet the sea, characterized
by brackish water. Serve as nurseries for many marine species.
• Wetlands: Mentioned earlier, but they can also be classified as aquatic
ecosystems due to their connection with water bodies.
3. Marine Ecosystems:
• Oceans: Largest ecosystems on Earth, divided into zones like the
intertidal zone, pelagic zone, and abyssal zone.
• Coral Reefs: Formed by colonies of coral polyps, support diverse marine
life and protect coastlines from erosion.
• Deep Sea: Found at great depths where sunlight cannot penetrate. Home
to unique organisms adapted to extreme conditions.
• Mangrove Forests: Coastal ecosystems consisting of salt-tolerant trees
and shrubs. Provide habitat for many species and protect coastlines from storms.

Each ecosystem comprises biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components, such
as soil, water, air, plants, animals, and microorganisms. These components interact
in complex ways, forming food webs, nutrient cycles, and energy flow pathways.

Human activities, such as deforestation, pollution, and climate change, can disrupt
ecosystems, leading to biodiversity loss, habitat destruction, and environmental
degradation. Conservation efforts aim to protect and restore ecosystems to maintain
ecological balance and sustain life on Earth.