Have you ever read an article on ecosystems? Nature consists of biotic and abiotic environments. Soil, water, and air are the abiotic environment that surrounds all living things on earth.
The biotic environment consists of all types of living things, including microorganisms that cannot be seen with the naked eye.
The two environments interact and depend on each other to form a dynamic ecosystem in carrying out their respective functions.
The existence of this ecosystem helps living things, especially humans, in shaping their environmental conditions. Their basic needs, such as breathing, eating, drinking, and doing activities, are mostly supplied from ecosystem components.
The study of ecosystems will be directly related to environmental science. The basic principle of environmental science was expressed by Johnson in 1977 that science is interdisciplinary to measure and assess the changes and impacts of human activities on ecosystems in such a way that humans can manage ecosystems for their own survival.
Thus, the ecosystem is a continuous relationship between space and its inhabitants. The concept of ecology explores anything related to the ecosystem, such as humans, animals, plants, air, soil, and water. This includes how to maintain a balance between ecosystem components.
Ecosystem Groups
Before studying ecosystems more deeply, it's good to know 2 groups of ecosystems.
Natural groups that have formed by themselves. Changes that occur without involving human intervention.
Artificial ecosystem groups created as a form of maintenance and management of existing natural ecosystems so that their conditions remain stable.
There are 3 examples of ecosystems, namely terrestrial ecosystems, marine ecosystems and transitional ecosystems.
1. Terrestrial Ecosystems
The following are some terrestrial ecosystems.
The desert biome, located in the tropics with low rainfall, is only about 25cm per year. The temperature during the day and night has a considerable difference.
During the day, the temperature can reach 450 Celsius and drop to 00 Celsius at night. Animals that can live there, including snakes and lizards. Spiny and leafless plants, such as cacti, are very suitable to be in a place like this.
Wet forest biome, found in tropical and subtropical areas with rainfall of 200-225cm per year. The plants are very dense and usually there are many canopy plants. Animals that are suitable to live there are wild boars, monkeys, owls, and tigers.
The prairie biome or savanna, is found in tropical to subtropical regions with irregular rainfall between 25-30cm per year. There are many grasses. Elephants, kangaroos, giraffes, zebras, wolves, and insects are abundant in this biome.
The tundra biome, located at the North Pole and the highest mountain peaks. The plants that live there are able to adapt to the seasons. The average plant growth time is only about 2 months. Plants that can grow are usually seed plants and woody plants. Bears and reindeer are suitable for living in the tundra biome.
The taiga biome is found in the mountains of the tropics. Pines are plants that live in this biome. In autumn, many birds migrate to the south. They arrived at this taiga biome.
2. Marine Ecosystems
Marine ecosystems consist of lakes, rivers, and the sea.
3. Transitional Ecosystem
The following is a transitional ecosystem.
Swamp, an ecosystem with area conditions that are always flooded. Swamp plants include rattan, sago, pandanus, and eucalyptus. Animals that can live there are crocodiles, rhinos, and various types of fish.
Mangroves are found on the coast and the sea. The most famous plants are mangroves or mangroves. Various types of rare birds live here.