Summary
Highlights
An ecosystem is a natural area composed of a defined space and the living beings that inhabit it. The space consists of abiotic components like energy, heat, light, air, water availability, and minerals in the soil. The living beings include microorganisms, fungi, plants, fish, birds, and animals. Ecosystems can be classified as natural or artificial.
Terrestrial ecosystems are where living beings inhabit the soil, near it, and the subsoil. They make up 30% of Earth's landmass and include deserts (30%), savannas and grasslands (20%), jungles (23%), temperate forests and tundras (17%), and cultivated areas (10%).
Aquatic ecosystems are characterized by the presence of water as the main physical component. These are divided into marine ecosystems (saltwater like oceans, seas, reefs, estuaries) and freshwater ecosystems (lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and springs).
Mixed ecosystems are intermediate zones formed by the intersection of water and land or land and air. Examples include wetlands, mangroves, marshes, and coasts.
Artificial ecosystems, also known as anthropogenic or humanized ecosystems, are non-natural ecosystems created or modified by human activity. Examples include urban ecosystems, agricultural ecosystems, and dam or reservoir ecosystems.
Ecosystems contain a wide variety of organisms with distinct functions that establish relationships with each other. These can be classified into three categories: producers (autotrophs like plants and algae), consumers (heterotrophs that feed on other beings like cows or humans), and decomposers (organisms that feed on decaying organic matter like fungi and bacteria).