Natural ecosystem: What is, characteristics and examples

Natural ecosystems are all those biological systems that have their own interactions networks between living beings and nature. They are systems of great complexity that have millions of years of evolution, in which the laws of survival and adaptation mark the rhythms of their own natural balance.

The constant flows of energy and matter that occur within natural ecosystems have been observed by human beings from the first civilizations, with the aim of deciphering their components and imitating their relations with the elements of nature.

In the next sections we will deepen the main characteristics of natural ecosystems, as well as in the different types of ecosystems that exist to learn to differentiate them.

For the proper functioning and optimal balance of natural ecosystems, a whole network of components of different kinds interact with each other. In the following list we will see in detail which are those main components and characteristics of natural ecosystems From the planet:

• You are formed by biotic components (living beings) and abiotic (soil, rocks, climatic factors).
• They give intra -specific relations or between individuals of the same species, interspecific relations or between individuals of different species and biological communities, as well as relations between these communities of organisms and the environment in which they live, also called Biotope.
• Constant flows of matter and energy are given within natural ecosystems, which allow an ecological succession of the communities of organisms that compose them to be carried out.
• Natural ecosystems maintain optimal balances between living beings and the environment that constitute them. Learn more about this aspect with this other ecology article about the ecosystem in equilibrium: what is and how it is maintained.

From these common characteristics, it is possible to differentiate the existence of different Types of natural ecosystems depending on their climatic characteristics, as well as the biological communities that constitute them. In the next section we will detail what these types of ecosystems that we can find in the different points of the planet.

Now that we know the definition of natural ecosystem and its characteristics, let’s see some Examples of natural ecosystems more surprising that exist throughout the earth:

• Amazon jungle.
• Atacama desert.
• Great Australian coral barrier.
• Colombian mountain moors.
• Litoral mangroves of Brazil.
• Taiga or Canadian coniferous forest.
• Alpine meadow.
• Mongolia steppes.
• Antarctica Indlandsis.
• Marshs of Doñana.

Through a general classification we can distinguish ecosystems into two main types: natural ecosystems and anthropic, artificial or unnatural ecosystemsthat is, those who have been created and designed by human beings. Within both main types of ecosystems there are different subgroups, which are detailed below in the following complete list of Types of ecosystems:

Natural ecosystems

• Terrestrial ecosystems: Deserts, tropical grasslands (steppes, meadows and herbazals), savanas, jungles, tundras and tempered forests. We recommend these other articles about what a terrestrial ecosystem and its characteristics and the types of terrestrial ecosystems and examples are.
• Aquatic ecosystems: Lagos, rivers, springs and streams, oceans, seas, reef, shallow coastal waters, estuaries and salt water lagoons. If you want to expand your knowledge about these types of ecosystems, we advise you to read these posts about what an aquatic ecosystem, freshwater water ecosystems is: examples and what are the water ecosystems of salt water.
• Air Ecosystem: any area that combines land and air or, sea and air. Here we explain more about the aerial ecosystem: what is, characteristics and types.
• Mixed ecosystems: They are those that combine water and earth, such as wetlands, mangroves, marshes and coasts. Find out more about them in this other post about what a mixed ecosystem is.

Artificial ecosystems

• Agricultural or agricultural ecosystems.
• Dam or reservoir ecosystems.
• Urban and rural ecosystems.

Expand this information with this other ecology article about the types of ecosystems.

Natural ecosystems have filled the planet with life for millions of years. However, during the evolution of human beings, said natural ecosystems have been modified and alteredsometimes constituting new totally artificial ecosystems.

These Artificial or anthropic ecosystemsare constituted by modified landscapes and interspecific relationships in which Human beings We are the most abundant species. We can affirm that they are humanized ecosystems, in which the flows of matter and energy, as well as the relationships and the global balance of the ecosystem are determined according to the needs and characteristics of the lives of people; In contrast to the rhythms that follow the natural ecosystems, in which each and every group of organisms interact in unison to favor the natural balance of the system.

Here we explain more about what an artificial ecosystem is and several examples of this type of ecosystem altered by people until it ceases to be natural.

If you want to read more articles similar to Natural ecosystem: What is, characteristics and exampleswe recommend that you enter our category of ecosystems.