Terrestrial Ecosystem
- Characteristics:
- Dominated by terrestrial plants and animals
- Relatively dry environment with little water cover
- Soil provides nutrients and supports plant growth
- Types:
- Forest: Trees as dominant vegetation, with varying species composition (e.g., tropical rainforests, temperate deciduous forests)
- Grassland: Grasses and herbaceous plants as dominant vegetation, often with few trees (e.g., savannas, prairies)
- Desert: Arid areas with sparse vegetation, mostly consisting of drought-tolerant plants (e.g., cacti, shrubs)
- Tundra: Cold, treeless regions with permafrost and low-growing vegetation (e.g., mosses, lichens)
- Interactions:
- Plant-animal interactions: Plants provide food and shelter for animals, while animals disperse seeds and pollinate plants.
- Soil-plant interactions: Soil provides nutrients for plants, while plants help maintain soil stability.
- Atmospheric interactions: Plants release oxygen into the atmosphere, while animals consume oxygen and release carbon dioxide.
Freshwater Ecosystem
- Characteristics:
- Dominated by aquatic organisms and plants
- Relatively low salinity compared to marine environments
- Can be found in various forms, such as lakes, rivers, and wetlands
- Types:
- Lentic Ecosystems (Standing Water):
- Lakes: Still bodies of water with relatively large surface area and depth (e.g., Lake Superior)
- Ponds: Smaller bodies of still water with less depth than lakes (e.g., neighborhood ponds)
- Lotic Ecosystems (Flowing Water):
- Rivers: Flowing bodies of water with variable currents and depths (e.g., Amazon River)
- Streams: Smaller bodies of flowing water, usually with faster currents and shallower depths (e.g., mountain streams)
- Wetlands: Areas where water covers the soil for extended periods, creating unique habitats for plants and animals (e.g., marshes, swamps)
- Interactions:
- Water-plant interactions: Aquatic plants use water and nutrients for growth, while they provide shelter and food for aquatic organisms.
- Water-animal interactions: Aquatic animals rely on water for respiration, movement, and food acquisition.
- Flow-sediment interactions: In lotic ecosystems, the flow of water transports and deposits sediments, creating diverse habitats for aquatic organisms.