Ecosystems
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Swamps often get a bad rap – murky, mysterious, and maybe even a little monstrous. But look beyond the surface, and you'll discover a fascinating and vital ecosystem teeming with life. These unique wetlands are characterized by their waterlogged soils and the presence of standing water, creating a dynamic...
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Our planet's oceans hold a hidden world, a vast realm shrouded in perpetual darkness. This region, known as the bathypelagic zone, plunges from 1,000 to 4,000 meters below the surface. Sunlight never reaches these depths, yet the bathypelagic zone teems with life. Extraordinary creatures, adapted to the...
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Stacks are prominent rock formations present in various geographical environments, providing prominent elements in the configuration of the natural landscape. While there are geological stacks present inland, we may me more familiar with sea stacks than land stacks since they are more revered for their...
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Have you ever gazed out at a dramatic coastline and wondered about those landforms jutting into the sea or the deep indentations carving inland? These captivating features, capes and gulfs, represent opposite yet fascinating interactions between land and water.
This article from thedailyECO dives into the...
A bay in geography is a natural coastal inlet of a large body of water such as a sea, ocean or lake that has a considerable area, but is generally smaller than that of a gulf. Such a coastal relief can be the result of various geological processes such as coastal erosion, glacial movement, volcanic activity...
Our planet is a watery world, with aquatic biomes covering a vast majority of its surface. These biomes are classified based on factors like salinity (salt content) and water movement. Understanding aquatic ecosystems isn't just for curious minds. It's crucial for ensuring the health of our planet and...
Like many geographical features, it can be difficult to differentiate between a gulf vs. bay. They are very similar coastal areas, surrounded both by bodies of water and land on either side. There are some notable differences which can lead us to describe one or the other. These differences can be found...
A cape is a geographical feature that is formed by an extension of land that projects into the interior of the ocean. Such capes have served for years as navigation reference points and as strategic points for the placement of lighthouses. Similarly, they are home to a rich biodiversity of plant and...
Fjords are responsible for some of the most beautiful and picturesque sights in the world. Found near the sea, they are coastal features which can vary greatly in form and appearance. They always have steep and rocky slopes, geographical features which are related to fjord formation. They are the result...
We often confuse the terms jungle and forest, but this is because they are closely related. A jungle is a type of dense forest, usually found in tropical or subtropical regions. This is why we often associate jungles with tropical rainforests since they are one of the densest types of jungle forest. A...
An alluvial plain is a flat landform that is created by the accumulation of sediments. These are sediments carried by river courses, especially common in lower areas where the speed of the current decreases. An alluvial plain may be completely or partially covered by water during periods of flooding. Among...
A river delta is a geographical feature that forms at the mouth of river systems, given its distinctive landform properties thanks to a dynamic sedimentation processes. Deltaic systems give rise to the formation of intricate channels and sandbanks. This creates regions rich in biodiversity, thanks to the...
The upper layer of a forest or jungle formed by branches and leaves where the treetops intertwine is known as the tree canopy. More than simply a referential term, tree canopies are unique ecosystems in which only certain types of life can thrive. In addition to providing habitat to the various plant and...
An atoll is a coral island that is characterized by having a ring shape, enclosing an interior lagoon that is connected to the ocean. Atolls are formed by the accumulation of corals at the base of the island that provide an ideal environment for their growth. After a long period of time, the island sinks...
Peatlands are a type of wetland which contain peat, a substance made from accumulated partially decomposed organic matter. When this peat reaches a certain standard, it can be used for fuel. Peatlands can be found in approximately 180 countries, in different climatic zones. Peat in its moist state serves...
A biome is a large-scale ecosystem that is characterized by its unique climate, vegetation, and wildlife. Biomes are classified based on their temperature, precipitation, latitude, altitude, plant structure, leaf types, spatial distribution of plants, and ecological succession. From the lush rainforests...
Riverbanks are ecosystems that line the shores of rivers, creating a seamless transition between the aquatic and terrestrial worlds. These dynamic zones are teeming with life, hosting a rich variety of flora and fauna uniquely adapted to the distinct conditions they offer. As well as providing shelter and...
Nestled at the meeting point of land and sea, mangroves make up a complex and fascinating coastal ecosystems. These habitats are known for their rich biodiversity, exceptional adaptations and ecological importance. Mangroves have evolved special strategies to thrive in diverse habitats, including their remarkable...
The differences between seas and oceans is not simply due to terminology. The two terms are often used interchangeably, both referencing large marine bodies of saltwater. Despite certain similarities in the two concepts, seas and oceans are not the same. One of the key differences between seas and oceans...
The different types of deserts include sand, rock, salt, polar, cold and many more. Some of us may not be aware there are so many different types of deserts. This is partly due to the often misunderstood definition of what is a desert. A desert is an ecosystem characterized by low rainfall and limited...
Artificial forests, also referred to as cultivated or planted forests, are created by human intervention and serve specific purposes such as timber production, biodiversity conservation, or carbon sequestration. Unlike natural forests that evolve and develop spontaneously, artificial forests are meticulously...
The polar environment is one of the most fascinating and challenging regions on Earth. It's a place of extremes, where the temperature can drop to -50°C or lower, and the sun doesn't rise or set for months at a time. Despite the harsh conditions, the polar regions are home to a unique and diverse range...
Also known as laurisilva, laurel forests are subtropical forests known for high humidity and broadleaf tree species. While their name comes from the trees which constitute the Lauraceae family of plants, not all laurel forests will contain laurel trees. However, the trees which inhabit laurel forests...
Beneath the captivating surface of our oceans lies a world of astonishing beauty and ecological significance. Among the remarkable ecosystems that flourish in this aquatic realm, seagrass beds stand as a true testament to the wonders of nature. However, these lush underwater meadows often go unnoticed,...
Gallery forests, also known as riparian forests, are unique and vital ecosystems that occur along the banks of rivers and streams in arid or semi-arid regions. These forests are characterized by their linear shape, often appearing as a ribbon of trees winding through the surrounding landscape. Gallery...
Also known as second-growth forests, secondary forests are forests regenerated from disturbances of mainly anthropic causes, but natural causes are a factor. They host a great biodiversity, from various sizes of trees and plants, as well as carnivorous mammals, birds, insects and various animal species....
Also known as old-growth forests, primary forests are those which are made up of native tree species which have had a minimal amount of human intervention. With such little interference in their growth and development, primary forests are those which have ecological processes which have remained largely...
An ecoregion is an area of the planet which is defined by both its ecology and geography in terms of natural ecosystems and size. Earth is rich in biodiversity, but different parts of Earth have very different ecological characteristics. How we understand such biodiversity requires categorization. Doing...
A thorn forest, also known as a thorn scrub or thorn forest, is a biome characterized by the presence of trees and shrubs with sharp, pointed thorns or spines. This habitat is found in regions with arid or semi-arid climates, typically in areas with low rainfall and high temperatures. Thorn forests are...
Steppes are a type of biome or terrestrial ecosystem. They are characterized by low levels of vegetation, low rainfall and an arid continental climate. Despite their name, steppe biomes are not defined by their altitude. There are steppes at both high and low elevations. They are wide plains which can...
Wetlands are areas of land that are either permanently or seasonally saturated with water. They are found throughout the world and include a variety of habitats such as marshes, swamps, and bogs. Wetlands are important ecosystems that provide numerous benefits to both humans and wildlife. Wetlands also...
A body of water refers to various large accumulations of water which can be either natural or manmade. This means they can range from just a few feet to millions of square miles of surface area. Size is not the only defining characteristic of bodies of water. How the water flows within it, how water...
Located near coastal regions of various oceans, we can find the presence of underwater kelp forests. Although they can seem like magical spaces more closely associated with fairy tales than science, they are naturally occurring underwater forests. Unlike their terrestrial counterparts, underwater kelp forests...
The world's rainforests store up to 50% of the CO2 that exists in our atmosphere, although this amount may be reduced thanks to climate change. The ability to absorb so much carbon dioxide is thanks to the vegetation which abounds in jungle ecosystems. It is thanks to this abundant vegetation that we can...
Although all ice is frozen water, we categorize this substance in different ways according to certain categorizations. It is for this reason we can know the difference between an ice cube and an iceberg. These characteristics are important as they have various repercussions on Earth's climate, something...
Water is one of the most important elements on our planet and necessary for the existence of life. Without it, all living things and plants would die out. Oceans and rivers feed us, regulate our climate, and produce much of the oxygen we breathe. They are also the basis for much of the global economy,...
You may be aware of wetlands. It may also be fairly easy to deduce that a wetland is a piece of land with a high water content, but then it is easy to be unsure how to differentiate this between geographical features such as lakes and swamps. For this reason, understanding the terminologies of different...
The Andes are one of the world's most beautiful mountain ranges, extending from Venezuela in the north all the way through to Argentina in the south. In fact, they are the largest continental mountain range in the world. Covering such a large span of territory, it is understandable that the area around...
Ecology is the study of ecosystems and the various biological, zoological, botanic and environmental processes which construct these ecosystems. One definition of ecosystems states they are formed by natural environments called biotopes and by a community of living beings called biocenosis. These can be...
Biodiversity reaches higher rates in tropical biomes than in polar biomes. We know this thanks to studies of the world's ecosystems. Ecologists have been able to confirm the fact that greater diversity in nature occurs closer to the equator by obtaining exact data on the flora and fauna of each biome on...
The enormous natural splendor of our planet is still being discovered, despite our best attempts to chart every last inch of the globe. In an attempt to understand how it works, cartographers, researchers and various scientists have had to rely on a range of categorizations. This includes to myriad species...
Lakes, lagoons, rivers, ponds, seas or oceans are all types of bodies of water. Some are much bigger than others, but size is not the only difference between them. Since so many of the world's bodies of water and waterways are so interconnected, it can sometimes be difficult to tell the difference between one...
Temperate forest biomes are very diverse, as we can distinguish between different types, such as temperate deciduous forests, temperate rainforests, temperate coniferous forests, temperate deciduous forests, or mixed temperate forests, to name a few. These forests, as their name implies, are located in the temperate...
Inland waters are permanent bodies of fresh water lying on or below the surface of the earth. Except for estuaries and other watercourses, these waters are distant from coastal areas. They are areas whose characteristics and uses are characterized by permanent, seasonal, or intermittent flooding. These waters...
Our planet has many terrestrial biomes home to a large number of ecosystems with spectacular biodiversity. Forests are one such biome, distinguished by the presence of a large amount of trees. Despite there being certain criteria which make a forest a forest, there are many different types which can seem almost...
We may be aware of the basic concept of an ecosystem, but it is easy to become overwhelmed once we start to look a little closer. The diversity and complexity of the world's ecosystems are only limited by space since every square millimeter of our planet is part of some larger ecosystem. Understanding how...