How Many Types Of Ecosystem Are There?

An ecosystem is the result of interactions between individuals within a biotic community as well as those individuals' interactions with the non-living environment. The environment determines the types of organisms that can exist there as well as their numbers. These species exist in a particular setting known as a habitat. An earthworm, for instance, dwells in the soil. Worms have extremely thin, wet skin. If left out in the sun and wind above the ground for an extended period of time, they will perish. An illustration of a land or terrestrial habitat is the soil. Frogs are yet another illustration. Frogs spend a large portion of their lives in ponds. An aquatic environment, or more precisely, a freshwater habitat, is a pond. Each habitat has its own environmental factors that distinguish it from others. These factors include humidity, temperature, sunlight, salinity, and soil type. These factors determine which plants and animals can survive in those environments. In other words, living organisms are affected by abiotic or abiotic environmental factors.

There are two broad types of ecosystem namely-

• Terrestrial

• Aquatic

Types of Ecosystems

1. Terrestrial ecosystem

Terrestrial Ecosystem refers to the ecosystems that exist on Earth.

Types of Terrestrial Ecosystem are-

• Forest - Primary forests are also called primary forests. When the trees of a forest are cut down and grow again, the forest is called secondary forest or secondary forest. The primary forests of the plain include mangrove forests, dipterocarp forests and murabe forests. At higher altitudes, it includes pine forests and moss forests. Also known as the tropical rainforest, this forest is characterized by high temperatures and high rainfall almost all year round.The most abundant type of rainforest is the dipterocarp forest. The largest number of plant and animal species. Thick tree canopies are the richest habitat for birds. The thick layer of forest floor mulch is the richest habitat for leeches, millipedes, centipedes and snails. The virgin dipterocarp forests are full of mammals, birds, reptiles and insects that live in the trees, ground and soil.

• Grasslands - The term grassland refers to natural grasslands without trees and with a small number of scattered trees. Most grasslands in tropical countries are caused by deforestation and some are naturally formed.For example, the dominant vegetation in many Philippine grasslands is cogon along the hills and sedum in the waterlogged plains. These types of grass need a lot of sunlight. Grassland animal species include snakes, lizards, mice, birds and insects.

• Man-Made ecosystem - A man- made or artificial ecosystem is a type of ecosystem that is created and maintained by humans. Artificial ecosystems are unique in that people intentionally play a central role in ecosystem functioning. Examples of artificial ecosystems are rice fields, fish ponds, and urban ecosystems.Rice paddies are a type of agricultural ecosystem. Agricultural ecosystems cover land planted with crops such as corn, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, coconut, and acacia. Southeast Asian countries such as the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia are examples of countries with diverse agricultural ecosystems.In some places freshwater lakes are considered as man-made ecosystems because they are used as fish ponds by building fish pens near the shore. Laguna Lake and Sampaloc Lake in the province.Urban land is also considered a man-made ecosystem because it has been developed for human habitation and activity. Examples of urban land are subdivisions, parks, and cemeteries.

• Desert Ecosystem - A desert is an area where there is more evaporation than precipitation. Annual rainfall in these areas ranges from 25 mm to 50 mm and is unevenly distributed throughout the year. During the day, the desert heats up and the temperature rises. The lack of vegetation means that heat from the ground radiates into the atmosphere too quickly, so nights can get very cold. Desert soils are low in organic matter but rich in minerals.This desert plant has waxy leaves, deep and shallow roots. These try to conserve water with little or no leaves. Desert animals are usually small in size. They hide during the day and come out in search of food at night. Many animals have a thick outer shell that reduces water loss through evaporation.Deserts differ from each other in terms of soil composition. Some deserts are made up of very fine red sand, while others are made up of sand mixed with pebbles and stones. Sand is mostly mineral, and sometimes oil is hidden deep in the rock.

• Tundra - The extreme environmental conditions of the tundra, a type of polar habitat, are comparable to those of deserts. The location is typically very windy, blanketed in snow, and devoid of any trees.This environment is totally covered with frozen soil the entire year, unlike deserts. There are little ponds created when the snow melts. Some lichens can flourish in the tundra areas thanks to the water from such ponds. Different ecologies, including woodland areas, valleys, meadows, and summits, can be found in tundra environments.

2. Aquatic ecosystem

The definition of an aquatic ecosystem states that it is a water-based environment in which living organisms interact with both the physical and chemical properties of the environment. Organisms that depend on a water-based environment for food, shelter, reproduction and other vital activities are known as aquatic organisms.

Types of Aquatic Ecosystem are-

• Marine Water Ecosystem-Over 70% of the surface of the globe is covered by this particular environment, which is the largest aquatic ecosystem. Regarding salinity, this environment is comparatively more salinity concentrated.It includes-

a. Ocean Ecosystem

b. Estuaries

c. Coral Reefs

d. Coastal Ecosystem

• Freshwater Ecosystem - Less than 1% of the earth's surface is taken up by this aquatic habitat, which is broadly split into lentic, lotic, and wetlands ecosystems.It includes-

a. Swamps and Wetlands

b. Lentic Ecosystems

c. Lotic Ecosystems