5.Ecology-Types of Ecosystems [Part-5] [18-10-2024]

Contents :
Types of Ecosystems :
A) Terrestrial Ecosystems [or Biomes] :
Types of Terrestrial Ecosystems :
1.Tundra Ecosystem : Arctic and Alpine
2. Forest Ecosystem :
-Taiga or Boreal
-Temperate [Deciduous (British Type Climate) or Rainforest]
-Temperate Deciduous (Mediterranean Type Climate)
-Sub-Tropical Deciduous
-Tropical Deciduous (Monsoonal Climate)
-Tropical Wet (Savanna Climate)
-Tropical Rain Forest
3. Grassland Ecosystem :
-Temperate Grassland Biome [Steppe]
-Tropical : Wet and Dry Biome [Savanna]
4. Desert Ecosystem :
-Tropical and Mid-Latitude Desert Biome
B) Aquatic Ecosystems :
Types of Aquatic Ecosystems :
-Freshwater Ecosystems : Low Salt Content [Concentration: Less than 5 ppt-parts per trillion]-Types : Lentic [Static or Still] [Eg-Ponds] and Lotic [Running] [Eg-Rivers]
-Brackish water Ecosystems : Average Salt Content [Concentration : Between 5-35 ppt]. Eg-Estuaries, Salt Water Marshes
-Marine or Saline Ecosystems : High Salt Content [Concentration : Higher than 35 ppt].Eg-Shallow Seas, Open Oceans
-Types of Aquatic Organisms:
-Neuston : Organisms-living in water-air interface at the surface [Eg-Floating Plants]
-Periphyton : Organisms whose leaves and flower emerge above water or live at the air water interface and roots-shoot grow from below the water [Eg-Sessile Algae]
-Plankton : Limited Locomotory Powers
Phytoplankton [Microscopic-Algae and Macroscopic-Plants]
Zooplankton [Microscopic-Protozoans and Macroscopic-Crustaceans]
-Nekton : Strong Swimmers [High Locomotory Powers]
-Benthos : Organisms living at the bottom of a water mass
-Limiting Factors for productivity of aquatic habitats :
-Sunlight
Dissolved Oxygen [Minimum : Concentration 10ppm per weight]
-Winter Kill
-Temperature
C) Wetland Ecosystems : Transition zones between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems [Eg-Ecotone : Mangroves, Lake Littorals, Flood Plains, Marshes and Swamps, etc. ], Areas of marine water, the depth of which at low tide doesn't exceed 6m.
-Importance of Wetlands : Rich in Biodiversity-Migratory Birds, Mitigating Flood Waters, Ground Water Recharge, Reservoir of Genetic Diversity, Economic Activities-Fishing and Irrigation, and Nutrient Recycling, etc.
-Measures to protect wetlands : Ramsar Convention, Wetlands International and National Wetlands Conservation Programme (NWCP)
D) Estuarine Ecosystem : Existing between the region when a river or a stream opens into the sea, forming an ecotone between riverine and maritime [sea-ocean] ecosystems.
-Differences between estuaries and lagoons :
-Water Flow : Lagoon-Shallow and Sluggish, Estuary-Deeper and Faster
-Formation of Coastlines of Emergence and Submergence] : Lagoons are formed when the level of sea water falls-Coasts of Emergence-Eg.Kerala/Malabar Coast and Estuaries are formed when the level of sea water rises-Coasts of Submergence-Eg.Konkan Coast
-Salinity : Lagoons are more saline which is situated in salty water, where as Estuaries are situated in fresh water.
E) Mangrove Ecosystem : Found in low lying coasts or in the land below the high water level of spring tides-Famous for Halophytes [Salt Tolerant Trees, consisting of Pneumatophores (Blind Roots) which can overcome the anaerobic conditions of waterlogged muds]
Next : Environmental Pollution and Degradation