Ecosystems

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...

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 interconnected, it can sometimes be difficult to tell the difference between...

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...

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...

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 that 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...

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 myriad species...

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...

Gullies in geography are landforms that manifest as deep and narrow channels in unprotected soil. They form due to soil erosion caused by surface water runoff. They are a geographical phenomenon that can be observed in different regions in the world. They are often most associated with vegetation loss, poor...

The Gran Chaco forest is the second-largest forested region in the Americas, second only to the Amazon rainforest. Located in South America, the Gran Chaco spans southern Bolivia, western Paraguay, northern Argentina, and a small part of Brazil. This massive ecosystem covers over 647,000 square miles,...

Have you ever wondered why some places on Earth are covered in dense forests while others are barren deserts? Or why certain animals and plants can only be found in specific locations? The answer lies in the fascinating world of terrestrial ecosystem. Terrestrial ecosystems are all around us, from the trees...

Desert pavements are arid topographical regions which are characterized by a surface covered in rocks, pebbles or gravel with little or no sand. While we might most associated deserts with sand, desert pavements represent a very large portion of this planet's desert areas. Of great importance to their respective...

The terms "flora" and "fauna" represent the living organisms that inhabit our planet. These classifications help scientists and nature enthusiasts alike understand the diversity of life across Earth's many ecosystems. Simply put, flora refers to all plant life while fauna encompasses all animal life. This...

A wadi is a dry channel in that only transports water intermittently, usually after intense rainfall in arid and semi-arid regions. Essentially, it is a dry river bed because it was created by water which once passed through the channel. These channels are characteristic of deserts and other similar areas...

Volcanic islands start underwater, where Earth's internal forces push magma up through the seafloor. Out of the millions of volcanoes on the ocean bottom, few grow tall enough to break through the water's surface. These islands take different paths to formation, some pop up where tectonic plates meet...

An oasis is a fertile area with water that is located in the middle of a desert or a similarly arid region. Its formation is dependent on underground water sources, rivers, fossil waters or human intervention through wells and irrigation systems. Oases have been fundamental for the survival of communities in...

Forests are more than just collections of trees, they are complex and dynamic ecosystems characterized by intricate interactions between living organisms and their environment. These vital habitats, covering vast portions of the Earth's land surface, play a crucial role in regulating climate, supporting...

The Hadal Zone, the deepest part of the ocean, remains one of Earth’s most mysterious and unexplored regions. This dark and high-pressure environment is home to fascinating flora, resilient fauna, and a unique ecosystem that thrives against all odds. From bioluminescent creatures to microbial life surviving on...

In a world where urbanization, agriculture, and infrastructure development continue to encroach upon natural habitats, wildlife corridors have emerged as a critical strategy for conservation. These pathways, which connect fragmented ecosystems, play a vital role in ensuring the survival of countless species...

Sand dunes are accumulations of sand formed by the action of the wind. Their formation is associated with the transport of grains of sand which are deposited in large amounts when they encounter certain obstacles. There are different types of dunes, often defined by their shape and direction in which they...

Also known as flooded forests, freshwater swamp forests are characterized by periodic flood by bodies of water such as rivers or lakes. While this flooding can be seasonal, it can be more frequent in certain areas. Their duration and the depth of the flooding can also vary according to region and the...

Also known as tropical dry forests, dry forests are a relative description. While rainforests have periods throughout the year when there is more rainfall, high rainfall occurs throughout the year. In a dry forest, there are distinct wet and dry seasons with periods of little to no rain. As with rainforests,...

A sclerophyllous forest is an ecosystem characterized by the presence of vegetation adapted to Mediterranean climate conditions. This is largely defined by its dry summers with hot temperatures and wet winters which are relatively mild. The flora and fauna of these ecosystems have specific adaptations to...

A chaparral is a biome characterized by dense and shrubby vegetation which have a Mediterranean climate. The latter means they have dry summers and went winters. This type of biome is most associated with the United States, but there are chaparrals outside of the US such as in the Mediterranean basic, Chile,...

We know that different ecosystems can vary greatly in terms of biodiversity and geographical features. However, we can define ecosystems by certain characteristics. For example, a marine ecosystem is defined by saltwater and a desert ecosystem is defined by a lack of precipitation. One of the most defining...

Fynbos is the term for a type of vegetation characteristic of the southwestern region of South Africa, known for its extraordinary biodiversity and adaptations to its Mediterranean climate. This ecosystem is part of the Cape Floral Kingdom. It is one of the world's six floral kingdoms and is home to a rich...

Bodies of water such as oceans and lakes have different characteristics depending on the part in question. When the body of water is sufficiently large, it can be divided into various parts known as zones. These zones have varying characteristics, influenced by various factors. One of the most important is...

The pelagic zone is a part of the open ocean which is divided into different layers. It begins horizontally at the end of the neritic zone, but extends vertically from the surface to the depths of the ocean. The different layers of the pelagic zone have different characteristics, impacting the types...