ECOSYSTEM TYPES 4.

Nutrient cycling
- In an ecosystem nutrients are consumed and
• ECOSYSTEM
recycled back in various forms for the
- a structural and functional unit of ecology
utilization by various organisms.
where the living organisms interact with each
• TYPES OF ECOSYSTEM
other and the surrounding environment.
- An ecosystem can be as small as an oasis in a
• STRUCTURE OF THE ECOSYSTEM
desert, or as big as an ocean, spanning
- The structure of an ecosystem is characterized
thousands of miles.
by the organization of both biotic and abiotic
- There are two types of ecosystem: Terrestrial
components.
Ecosystem, Aquatic Ecosystem.
- This includes the distribution of energy in our
A. TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEM
environment. It also includes the climatic
1. Forest Ecosystem
conditions prevailing in that particular
- A forest ecosystem is an ecosystem where
environment.
many organisms live together with the
- The structure of an ecosystem can be split into
environment's abiotic components. There are
two main components, namely:
much different flora and fauna in this
o Biotic Components
ecosystem.
o Abiotic Components
- Forests are significant carbon sinks and
• FUNCTIONS OF ECOSYSTEM
participate in controlling and balancing the
1. Regulatory functions
overall temperature of the Earth.
2. Habitat functions
3. Production functions Types of Forest Ecosystem
4. Information functions.
• Tropical evergreen forest
• FUNCTIONAL UNIT OF ECOSYSTEM
- They occupy about 7% of the earth’s surface.
1. Productivity
- They are found mostly near the equator.
- refers to the rate of biomass production.
- They have sparse undergrowth interspersed
2. Energy flow
with clearings
- It is the sequential process through which
• Tropical deciduous forest
energy flows from one trophic level to another.
- They are also called the monsoon forests and
- The energy captured from the sun flows from
spread over the region receiving rainfall
producers to consumers and then to
between 200 cm and 70 cm.
decomposers and finally back to the
- Trees of this forest-type shed their leaves for
environment.
about six to eight weeks in dry summer.
3. Decomposition
- It is the process of breakdown of dead organic
material. The top-soil is the major site for
decomposition.

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• Temperate evergreen forest • Savanna
- Temperate evergreen forests are found in the - Grassland that is located closer to the equator
United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia, in than prairies.
areas that generally receive between 300 and - Savannas can receive as much as 120 cm of rain
900 mm of rain per year and with seasonal per year.
temperature extremes ranging from -40 to 20 - In addition to grass, scattered shrubs and small
°C. trees can grow in the savanna.
• Temperate deciduous forest 3. Tundra Ecosystem
- The average daily temperatures range between - Tundra ecosystems are devoid of trees and are
-30°C (-22°F) and 30°C (86°F) with a yearly found in cold climates or where rainfall is
average of 10°C (50°F). Hot summers and cold scarce.
winters are typical in this biome. - These are covered with snow for most of the
- On average, this biome receives 750 to 1,500 year.
millimeters (30 to 59 inches) of rain per year. - Tundra type of ecosystem is found in the Arctic
• Taiga or mountain tops.
- The taiga is a forest of the cold, subarctic - Because rainwater cannot soak into the
region. permafrost, there are many shallow ponds and
- The soil beneath the taiga often contains marshy areas of the tundra during the summer.
permafrost – a layer of permanently frozen 4. Desert Ecosystem
soil. In other areas, a layer of bedrock lies just - Desert ecosystems exist worldwide and cover
beneath the soil. about 17 percent of desert areas.
- Coldness is the dominant climatic factor in - These are areas where annual rainfall is usually
taiga ecosystems, although a surprising measured less than 25 mm.
diversity of climates exists. - Due to fewer trees and land of sand, sunlight
2. Grassland Ecosystem intensifies in these ecosystems.
- Grassland ecosystems are referred to as those
Types of Desert Ecosystem
ecosystems where the number of trees is low.
- These ecosystems mainly consist of grasses, - Sand desert

shrubs, and herbs. - Rock desert

- Grassland ecosystems are commonly situated - Stony desert

in both the tropical and temperate regions - Plateau desert

globally; however, they have distinct - Cold desert

variations.

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B. AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM VARIOUS HUMAN ACTIVITIES THAT
1. Freshwater Ecosystem AFFECT AN ECOSYSTEM
- The freshwater ecosystem is an aquatic
• Agriculture
ecosystem that includes lakes, ponds, rivers,
• Deforestation
streams and wetlands. These have no salt
• Overpopulation And Consumption
content in contrast with the marine ecosystem.
• Plastic Production
Types of Freshwater Ecosystem • Emission Of Greenhouse Gases And, Other
Greenhouse Gases.
• Lentic Ecosystem
• Destruction Of The Reefs.
- Water bodies that are moving slowly or are still
• Draining Streams/Rivers And, Destruction Of
in some places come under lentic.
Critical Freshwater Aquifer Recharge Areas
- For example, ponds, lakes, pools, etc.
(Water Pollution).
- Lakes are known as large water bodies and are
• Overhunting And Overexploitation
surrounded by land.
• Invasive Species
• Lotic Ecosystem
- Water bodies that are moving at a fast pace fall Types of Invasive Species
under a lotic.
• Swietenia macrophylla
- For example, streams and rivers.
- commonly known as mahog any
- Animals adapt to the stream/river’s current
• Rhinella marina
(hooks and suckers to cling to rocks, streamline
- commonly known as The cane toad frog
bodies).
- Few -plants or algae can grow because of the
strong currents.
- Animals rely on seeds and leaves to fall in the
water as food.
• Wetland Ecosystem
- Environments characterized by soils saturated
with water for a long time fall under wetlands.
2. Marine Ecosystem
- Marine ecosystems are usually characterized
by the presence of salt content.
- These ecosystems have a higher salt content
than the freshwater ecosystem.
- Moreover, they are known as the largest type of
ecosystem on Earth.