Ecosystem examples

Examples of grouping different types of ecosystems around the world - biomes

It would be a huge task (impossible?) to list all the ecosystems in the world.

Areas with similar physical conditions and therefore similar ecosystems are sometimes grouped together as biomes for descriptive purposes.

ecosystems are real and local
biomes are theoretical and scattered around the planet

If you ask a group of ecologists the number of biomes on the planet, you might get answers from 6 to 23+ This is because of varying judgments of the definitions of types and also names may differ depending on localised interpretations. I have chosen some of the most commonly recognised examples.

INTRODUCTION

Note on terrestrial ecosystems

Broadly speaking, terrestrial ecosystem types are determined by ranges of temperature and rainfall. This varies with latitude and therefore distance from the equator. Mostly they are named for the dominant vegetation.

relationship between temperature, rainfall and ecosystem type supported

Gallery of ecosystem group examples

(Click/tap on the plus sign in the bottom right hand corner of each image for further information)

TERRESTRIAL BIOMES

TROPICAL RAINFOREST

also called jungle, high rainfall; warm temperatures; dense vegetation

TEMPERATE RAINFORESTS

high rainfall; moderate temperatures; dense vegetation

TEMPERATE FORESTS

moderate rainfall and temperatures; some tree lose leaves in winter

BOREAL FOREST

also called taiga; dominated by evergreen, mostly coniferous trees

TROPICAL GRASSLANDS

also called savannah; oderate to hot temperatures, moderate rainfall, scattered shrubs over grass ground cover

TEMPERATE GRASSLANDS

also called prairie, steppes, veldt; warm to cold temperatures, moderate to dry rainfall, treeless plains

DESERT

hot or temperate, ; low rainfall; sparse to extremely sparse vegetation

TUNDRA

cold to very cold temperatures during long harsh winters; permafrost under the soil

MONTANE

vertical zoning which mimics latitudinal changes

AQUATIC AND MIXED BIOMES

FRESHWATER - RIVERS, STREAMS

bodies of water in motion due to gravity; velocity and turbulence of water is a key factor

FRESHWATER - LAKES, PONDS

bodies of water that are predominantly still; trigger popup below for extended information

WETLANDS

area of land that is saturated by standing water; maybe seasonal or permanent; includes freshwater marshes, peatland, bogs, swamps, and fens. Very large wetlands such as the Panatal in S. America and the Congo Basin in Africa are complex and contain areas that support forests.

FRESHWATER MARSHES

PEATLANDS

ESTUARIES

where sea meets river; abiotic pressures include changes in salinity and temperature

MANGROVES

estuaries in tropical regions; dominated by woody plants

SALTMARSHES

estuaries in temperate regions; dominated by non-woody plants

MARINE - COASTAL

where sea meets land, also called the tidal zone; abiotic pressures include change in salinity, turbulence, water temperature