Our planet is a place full of life. However, each space has particular flora and fauna characteristics. To these spaces is what is called ecosystem and is formed by the set of living beings that relate to the environment and with each other. On earth there is a great diversity of natural ecosystems, both terrestrial and aquatic.
On this occasion, we are going to enter the natural terrestrial ecosystems, which can be very varied and that, in broad strokes, are mainly determined by the type of flora that we are going to find in each of them. If you want to discover all the different Types of terrestrial ecosystems and examples That exist, as well as its characteristics, continue reading ecology, because in this article we tell you and show you photos of terrestrial ecosystems.
What are ecosystems
Ecosystems can be defined as biological systems formed by living beings and in the middle that inhabit. In this delimited environment, living beings have interactions within the same species and between different species, as well as with the abiotic factors or elements of the environment. They can be:
- Terrestrial ecosystems
- Aquatic ecosystems
- Mixed ecosystems
That is a type of ecosystem or another depends on whether the earth or water predominates more or if it is a place where both elements are very present in a similar amount. Thus, the Terrestrial ecosystems are the spaces in which there are living beings and non -living elements And in which Earth predominatesalthough of course there is also the presence of water.
To expand this issue, we advise you to read these other articles on what an ecosystem is: definition for children or what is a earth’s ecosystem and its characteristics.
What are the types of terrestrial ecosystems
The main types of terrestrial ecosystems are 4, which we can distinguish between:
- Forests and jungles: Some examples of these types of terrestrial ecosystems can be the Amazon jungles, the dry forests, the tempered forests of leafy, the tempered forests of conifers and the subtropical forests of conifers and taiga.
- Thickets: Arbustal, Xerófilo and Páramo.
- Herbazals: meadow, alpine meadow, steppe and savanna.
- Terrestrial ecosystems without vegetation: They may have it, but in these cases it is very little or almost non -existent. We find the tundra, the desert and inlandsis.
Next, we will explain more in detail with these examples of ecosystems that we show you with photos.
Forests and jungles
What are the types of terrestrial ecosystems? We will start talking about forests, which are the terrestrial ecosystems that have greater wealth in their biodiversity precisely due to the leafy of the flora that characterizes them. They are divided into two types:
- Lush forests: characterized by having broadleaf trees.
- Coniferous forests: characterized by having acicular leaves.
There are various types of forest, as we have mentioned. In addition, there are other classes of terrestrial ecosystems related to forests, such as The jungles and the taigas. They are an example of ecosystem more curious than the previous ones and that we will see each of them below.
Dry forest or dry jungle
It also constitutes a leafy forest and is located in tropical and subtropical areas. But, in this case, it is an ecosystem where the rains are less abundant. We can find them in some regions of India, Southeast Asia, some areas of Mexico or in the Caribbean among others.
Learn more about this example of ecosystem in this other article about the dry jungle: characteristics, flora and fauna.
TEMPERATED BAS
As the name implies, it is also a forest of leafy plants. They are forests that occur in even less humid areas but with marked rainy epochs. The best example is found in Mediterranean forests.
In this ecology article, we discover what animals live in the tempered forest or the lush: what are, characteristics and examples.
Coniferous temperate forest
It is another type of coniferous forest that serves as an example of terrestrial ecosystem. It is characterized by being formed by trees such as pine, cedar, fir or dry or secuoya. They are located in High areas and tempered climate. We can find them both in North America and in Europe and Asia, as well as in some regions of the Atlas mountain range, in Africa.
Subtropical coniferous forest
As the name implies, it is a coniferous forest but that is located In subtropical regions. Its main representative is found in the pine, and some examples are found in Mexico and the Caribbean, northern India and the Philippines.
Discover more about coniferous forests: characteristics, flora and fauna here.
Jungle
Within the terrestrial environment we find the jungles. It is a type of leafy forest that stands out for being the ecosystem where the richness of the biodiversity is more abundant. They are located in tropical and subtropical areas and are associated with very humid and very rainy areas. A good example of this type of terrestrial ecosystem is found in the Amazon jungle.
To learn more about these types of terrestrial ecosystems, we recommend you read these other posts about the jungle ecosystem and its characteristics and what is the Biodiversity of Ecology Verde.
Taiga
The Taiga is the last of the examples of terrestrial ecosystems but it is the first of the coniferous forests. Your usually locate In cold areaswhich implies a minor biodiversity. The taiga floor has mosses of various types, as well as lichens. We find it mainly in countries such as Canada and Russiaas well as in the Scandinavian Peninsula.
Know more of these types of terrestrial ecosystems with this other ecology article where we talk about what is the importance of forests and jungles.
Thickets
Another of the natural terrestrial ecosystems that we find on our planet beyond forests are thicket ecosystems. In this case, they are characterized by the absence of trees And, instead, we find vegetation of a medium size, such as shrubs or thickets.
Arbustal
Depending on the type of flora it receives a name or another: Brezal, Jaral, Mediterranean scrub, etc. We find it scattered in many areas of the globe, although the Mediterranean scrub It is a good example.
Xerophil
This type of ecosystem is very dry areas and that could be called semi -desert. It is characterized by plants such as some types of cactus, thorns and brambles. We find it especially in North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, the Gobi and Australia desert.
Here you can know what xerophyte plants are, their characteristics and examples.
Paramo
They are thickets associated with a Wet and mountain climatethat is, of great altitude. They can be found both in America and Africa, as well as, especially, in New Guinea. If you want to know more about the moor: characteristics, flora and fauna do not hesitate to consult this article that we recommend.
Learn more about scrubbing with this other post of ecology see on the bushes: what are, types and fauna.
Herbazals
Continuing with the categories and examples of terrestrial ecosystems, we find the herbazals that, as the name implies, are characterized by a type of herbal -based flora instead of trees or bushes. These are its different types:
Meadow
The meadow is a herbazal typical of temperate climates and areas with a time of Very defined rains. They are the land that the human being prefers when it comes to converting them into agricultural areas. Praderas can be found in many areas of the planet, although it could be highlighted by the center of the United States as one of the largest of all.
Within the grasslands, we can also talk about the Alpine meadowtypical of the highest areas above sea level. Some examples can be found in the Alps, the Tibet or the Andes.
We leave you this ecology article in case you want to meet the meadow animals in this other article.
Steppe
Similar to the meadow but typical of the most arid climates. One of the best examples of Estepa is found in some areas of Mongolia, Kazakhstan or Australia. Perhaps this other article about the SERRANIA Esteparia may be interested: Flora and Fauna, here.
Sheet
A herbazal of the tropical or subtropical areas and that usually be border with jungle areas. The center of the African continent is the example at Antonomasia, although we can also find it in northern Australia and some areas of South America.
If you want to discover more about this terrestrial ecosystem, we recommend reading these other posts on the Sabana ecosystem: characteristics, flora and fauna and savanna of palm trees: characteristics, flora and fauna.
Natural terrestrial ecosystems without vegetation
Beyond herbaceous ecosystems we find some terrestrial ecosystems that, being very scarce in their biodiversity and especially as far as flora is concerned, are also terrestrial natural ecosystems. These are types and examples of land ecosystems without or almost without vegetation.
Tundra
It is an ecosystem that can present some types of grass although, in general, it stands out because the only thing with what counts are lichens and mosses. It occurs in very cold areas, so presents a frozen subsoil. The best example is found in the Arctic regions that limit with Canada and Russia.
We show you more details about the tundra: characteristics, flora and fauna in this other article.
Desert
It is an ecosystem that is characterized by great heat and a great absence of moisture. Deserts can be found in very varied areas and the most extreme, and clear examples, we find them in the Sahara desert and the Middle East area.
Know more about this ecosystem in these other posts about the desert ecosystem: characteristics, flora and fauna and what animals are in the desert.
Indlandsis
It is a polar desert. In this case, cold and moisture have created a constantly frozen surface, so most of its biodiversity is concentrated in the limits of frozen areas. We find it mainly in the Arctic area and in the Antarctica continent.
For more information, below you can see a video about the different types of ecosystems, including terrestrials.
If you want to read more articles similar to Types of terrestrial ecosystems and exampleswe recommend that you enter our category of ecosystems.
