Forest Ecosystem: What is, characteristics, flora and fauna

The forest ecosystem are areas in which they dominate The treesin which there are biologically integrated communities of animals, plants and microorganisms forming biocenosis or biotic set, and in turn these communities interact with the abiotic elements present (soils, climate, water …).

As already said, in this type of ecosystem, trees predominate and they form forests, The forests within the forest ecosystem They act as a set of components, as well as a set of ecosystem processes. If you want to learn more about biomes called forests and forest ecosystem, encourage you to read this other post about different types of forests, their characteristics and photos.

A forest system is very diverse and its characteristics are equally varied. Next, the Main characteristics of the forest ecosystem:

• For trees to grow in a forest ecosystem, temperatures exceeding 10 ° C are necessary.
• They are ecosystems that depend on water, therefore the availability of this is important. That is why there are no forest ecosystems at altitudes from 3500 to 4000 meters above sea
• They develop in nutrient -rich soils and deep, but not in very stony and shallow soils.
• In areas where forest ecosystems are established, abundant organic matter is generated, in addition to becoming water receptor areas. Since they have a barrier function that stops wet winds and facilitates the condensation of water thus generating rainfall.
• It is a great runoff regulator and water infiltration. They filter the water through its vegetation and return it by evapotranspiration.
• There is a positive symbiosis between the fungi and the roots present in the soil of the forest ecosystem. To learn more on this topic we encourage you to read this other post about what mycorrhizae and types are.
• The plant structure of this ecosystem is very complex found in the Sotobosque, which is the lowest part where shrubs and herbaceous grow, and also some tree species. Although they can also occur between two and five levels of woody vegetation.
• The high primary productivity and the structure so complex that it presents, makes a wide variety of ecological niches in the forest ecosystem, thus enabling the existence of a great diversity of organisms.

Of course, among its characteristics we must also highlight the Flora and fauna of the forest ecosystembut this part of the issue of the components of the forest ecosystem is broader and, therefore, we will talk about it in the next lines.

The Forest ecosystem flora It is very varied in terms of tree species, since they change depending on the climatic zone that is found. In the rainy jungles that are part of tropical forest ecosystems, it is where the greatest diversity of trees are found. On the other hand, it is in the subarctic forest ecosystem where diversity is lower, although it is the taiga, a boreal forest with a large number of trees. There are also temperate and tropical ecosystems. Among the species of Forest Ecosystem Plantswe can highlight the following:

Cold forest ecosystems flora

Coniferous species are abundant in this type of ecosystem.

• The white pine (Pinus Strobus).
• Boreal trees such as white fir, black fir and balsamic firing belonging to the genus Populus.
• Alamos Tremones (Populus tremuloids).

Here you can learn more about araucarias or coniferous trees: types, names and characteristics.

Temperate forest ecosystems plants

In them, the species of angiosperms and some species that have been cultivated such as olive or laurel are frequent.

• The cork oak (Quercus suber).
• The oak (Quercus ilex).
• The laurel (LAURUS NOBILIS).
• The olive tree (olea Europea).
• The oak (Quercus coccifer).
• The rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis).
• The Carrasco pine (Pinus halepensis).
• Juniper shrubs (Juniperus spp.).
• Ericáceas shrubs like heather.

Tropical forest ecosystems flora

Conifers are scarce and mainly diverse species of tree angiosperms are found. The families of Anacardiáceas, laureaceae, Moraceas and Legumes dominate. There are also fruit crops such as mango or cocoa.

• Cocoa (Theobroma cocoa).
• Rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis).
• Heliconia (Heliconiaceae).
• The mijao (Anacardium Excelsum).
• The naked Indian or mulatto stick (Simaruba Bursera).
• LA CEIBA (Ceiba Pentandra).
• The bitter (Astronium Semiolens).

As with the flora, there is a great diversity of living organisms that are part of the fauna in this ecosystem and also changes according to the geographical location and climatic zone that is found. Next, some of the species of Forest ecosystem animals:

Cold and temperate forest ecosystems fauna

Bears, deer, wolves and alces are found. Species of owls, crows, some birds and cucús also predominate.

• The Iberian lynx (Lynx Pardinus).
• The wild boar (Your scrofa).
• The red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris).
• The fox (Vulpes Vulpes).

Tropical forest ecosystems animals

• The Caramerudo deer (Odocoileus virginianus Apurensis).
• The Jaguar (Panthera onca).
• Hormiguero (Myrmecophaga Tridactyla).
• Arpia eagle (Harpyja Harpia).
• Tropical pork (Sphiggurus Mexicanus).
• Venomous snake species belonging to the genres Lachesis and Bothrops.

If you want to read more articles similar to Forest Ecosystem: What is, characteristics, flora and faunawe recommend that you enter our category of ecosystems.