The micro-forming prefix that refer to the small and, on the contrary, the macro prefix forms words with the meaning of great or very large. This concept also applies in the field of ecosystems, so we can talk about microecosystems and macroecosystems, which refer to two different types of classified ecosystems according to their size.
If you want to know What is a microecosystem and a macroecosystem and examplescontinue reading this ecology article in which you will see a summary of this topic.
What is a microecosystem
A microecosystem is one that develops in very small spaces Or very small, that is, the territory where the interactions between Biotope (geographical space characterized by certain environmental conditions) and biocenosis (organisms, animals and plants that inhabit the biotope) are barely a few centimeters. That is why the elements that are part of them, in general, are small to microscopic, and so that their existence of these can be possible, specific conditions must be given.
Microecosystems quickly suffer changes over time due to their size. Also in areas where extreme conditions are given, microecosystems can also be formed, since it is just some living beings that are capable of living under those conditions.
Examples of microecosystem
Next, we will show some Examples of microecosystems that can be found on the planet:
- Near some volcanoes, there are sulphurous waters inhabited by bacteria. This microecosystem is unique since it occurs under extreme conditions, and the bacteria that inhabit these waters can only develop and exist under these conditions.
- The cortex which is part of the trees that are in a riverside area is also a microecosystem. In this microecosystem, delimited by moisture, very small organisms such as liver, mosses, fungi and lichens can be identified.
- A fishbowlalthough it would be an artificial microecosystem, it would also be considered microecosystem since it is a small space and the variability of species that can be found in them is small.
- Microorganism crops They are performed on Petri’s plates are also considered microecosystems. Petri’s plates contain a culture medium, which is usually formed by nutrients and agar, so that the development of microorgans is possible, in addition these plates must be placed in an incubator so that they are at a temperature that allows the growth of microorganisms.
What is a macroescosystem
Macroecosystems cover large spaces of the surface of the earth, and in them you can find a wide variety of plant and animal species. These large structures cover large geographical areas, and even in some cases they occupy different climatic floors, such as boreal, temperate and tropical forests. Macroecosystems also suffer changes in time as with smaller ecosystems, although these changes do not occur so fast and are under different climatic conditions that change over time.
Knowing macroesystems is important, since the functioning of ecological and evolutionary processes can be known, in addition the conservation of them is also very important since they are being altered as a consequence of anthropic activities such as mining, deforestation, agriculture and intensive livestock, among others.
Examples of macroecosystems
Next, we will show some Examples of macroecosystems that can be found on the planet:
- The forests They are macroecosystems, since they occupy a large part of the surface of the earth. They are so large that they get extended by more than one climate floor, for example, forests can be tempered, tropical and boreal.
- The oceans Occupy approximately 72% of the earth’s surface, it is a macroecosystem in which a wide variety of species are found.
- A jungle is characterized by occupying an extensive territory in subtropical and tropical areas, and containing dense vegetation with great biodiversity in terms of its flora and fauna.
- The tundrait is a macroecosystem considered as the coldest on planet Earth, characterized by having little vegetation, presenting frozen subsoils and lack of trees. The tundra is located in high latitudes, that is, in polar areas, mainly in the northern hemisphere. Some of the regions where tundra exists are Siberia, southern Greenland, Russia, Alaska, northern Canada, among others.
- The steppe It includes a flat and large area, in it predominates herbaceous vegetation and there is hardly any tree. Its soils not with very fertile since they barely present organic matter and contain abundant minerals. The steppe is a cold desert, it is thus called to differentiate it from the torrid deserts, where very high temperatures are given.
If you want to learn more about these issues, we recommend this other ecology article about the types of ecosystems.
If you want to read more articles similar to Microecosystem and macroecosystem: what are and exampleswe recommend that you enter our category of ecosystems.
