Ecosystem

IPA Lesson

Ecosystem

 

Human interaction is a complex and diverse constituent. On earth there are a variety of ecosystems.


Types of Ecosystems
Broadly divided into ecosystems terrestrial ecosystems and aquatic ecosystems. Aquatic ecosystems distinguished on freshwater ecosystems and aquatic ecosystems Sea.

a. Terrestrial ecosystems

Terrestrial ecosystem is the ecosystem that the physical environment is land. Based on geographical location (latitude), terrestrial ecosystems can be divided into several biomes, which are as follows.
1. Desert biome
Some desert biome found in the tropics (along the back), which borders the meadow.
The characteristics of the desert biome is arid and low rainfall (25 cm / year). Slang day high temperature (can mendapai 45 ° C) so that evaporation is high, while the night temperature is very low (it can reach 0 ° C). The temperature difference between day and night is huge. Plant annuals contained in a small desert. In addition, in the desert found also chronic leafy plants like cactus thorns example, or no leaves and roots are long and has a network to store water. Animals that live in the desert, among others Rodentia, snakes, lizards, frogs, and scorpions.
2. Grassland biome
Biomes are located in the area extending from the tropics to the subtropics. Characteristics of rainfall is approximately 25-30 cm per year and irregular rains. Porosity (water absorption) tall and drainage (water flow) is fast. Existing plant consists of herb plants (herbs) and grasses that are both dependent on the moisture. Among other animals: bison, zebras, lions, wild dogs, wolves, elephants, giraffes, kangaroos, insects, rodents and snakes
3. Wet Forest Biomes
Wet Forest Biomes are in the tropics and subtropics.
Characteristics is 200-225 cm of rainfall per year. Relatively many species of trees, species differ from one another depending on geography. The main tree height between 20-40 m, tree branches and leafy tinngi to form a hood (canopy). In the rain forest microclimate changes (climate directly located around the organism). Hood area gets enough sunlight. Variations in temperature and high humidity / large; temperature throughout the day around 25 ° C. In the tropical rain forest plants often are distinctive, the liana (rattan), cacti and orchids as epiphytes. Among other animals, monkeys, birds, rhinos, wild boar, tiger, and owls.
b. Freshwater Ecosystems
The characteristics of freshwater ecosystems include temperature variations are not flashy, less light penetration, and are affected by climate and weather. Most kinds of plants are species of algae, while other seed plants. Almost all animal phyla found in fresh water. Organisms that live in fresh water generally have to adapt.
Adaptation to freshwater organisms are as follows.
Adaptation of plants
Plants that live in fresh water usually unicellular and cell wall strong as some algae and blue-green algae. Water into the cells to the maximum and will stop on its own. Higher plants, such as lily (Nymphaea gigantea), has roots anchor (root tendrils). Lower plants and animals that live in aquatic habitats, osmotic pressure equal to the osmotic pressure of the environment or isotonic.
Animal Adaptations
Freshwater ecosystems inhabited by nekton. Nekton is actively moving animals using strong muscles. Higher animals that live in freshwater ecosystems, such as fish, to overcome the osmotic pressure did osmoregulation to maintain water balance in the body through excretion system, gills, and digestion.
Freshwater habitats are intermediaries marine habitat and terrestrial habitats. Classification of organisms in the water can be based on the flow of energy and living habits.
Sea ecosystems
Distinguished marine aquatic ecosystems over the ocean, coastal, estuarine, and coral reefs.
1. Sea
Marine habitats (oceanic) is characterized by the salinity (salt content) with high CI-ion reached 55%, especially in the tropical ocean, because the high temperature and evaporation. In the tropics, the sea temperature is around 25 ° C. The difference in the temperature of the upper and lower height. The boundary between layers of hot water at the top with cold water at the bottom is called the thermocline region.
In cold regions, the temperature of sea water so that the water can be mixed evenly, the region remains fertile sea level and many plankton and fish. The movement of water from the shore to the middle of the water causes the top down to the bottom and vice versa, allowing the formation of the food chain that goes balk. Marine habitats can be distinguished by its depth and surface area horizontally.
3. Estuarine
Estuary (estuary) is the union of the river to the sea. Estuarine often lined by extensive intertidal mud slab or salt marsh.
Water salinity changes gradually starting from the fresh water to the ocean. Salinity is also influenced by the tidal cycle with its water daily. Nutrient enrichment of the river estuary.
Plant communities that live in estuaries such as the salt marsh grass, algae, and phytoplankton. Animal communities such as various worms, clams, crabs, and fish. There is even some marine invertebrates and fish that make the estuary as a breeding or migrating towards freshwater habitats. Estuary is also a vertebrate foraging for spring water, ie water fowl.
4. Coral reefs
In tropical seas, the neritik area, there is a special community that consists of stony corals and other organisms. This community is called coral reefs. Regional communities can still be penetrated by sunlight so that photosynthesis can take place.
Coral reefs dominated by coral (coral) which is a group of Cnidaria that secrete calcium carbonate. Framework of calcium carbonate substrate bermacammacam shape and arrange another place to live corals and algae.
The animals that live in the reef eat microscopic organisms and other organic waste. A variety of invertebrates, micro-organisms, and fish live among the coral and the algae. Herbivores such as snails, sea urchins, fish, fall prey to the octopus, starfish, and carnivorous fish.