What is an ecosystem? The official definition of an ecosystem (according to Oxford Languages anyway) is a “biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.” Ecosystems are also called habitats, biomes, and biospheres.
Different types of ecosystems exist everywhere in the world, from the Eurasian steppes to the African grasslands. Each unique ecosystem supports its biological life, creating a chain where one organism depends on the next.
The world has many different types of ecosystems, each with its own unique set of plants and animals. All these ecosystems are categorized into two main categories: Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems.
| Type of Ecosystem | Key Features | Examples of Life |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | Salty water covers most of Earth. Deep and full of different creatures. | Bears, birds, frogs, insects |
| Desert | Very dry, hot during the day, cold at night. Not many plants. | Lizards, cacti, camels |
| Ocean | Salty water, covers most of Earth. Deep and full of different creatures. | Fish, sharks, whales, seaweed |
| Freshwater | Lakes, rivers, and streams with fresh water. | Ducks, fish, otters, water lilies |
| Grassland | Big open spaces with grass. Few trees. | Lions, zebras, grass, flowers |
| Tundra | Very cold, not many trees. Ground can be frozen. | Polar bears, moss, few small bushes |
| Wetlands | Land with lots of water, like swamps. Good for plants and water animals. | Frogs, alligators, water lilies |
Different Types of Ecosystems in the world
Terrestrial Ecosystems
A Terrestrial ecosystem is a land-based ecosystem. They can be found on every continent on Earth except for Antarctica. Terrestrial ecosystems are divided into two main categories: forests and grasslands.
Forests are habitats dominated by trees, while grasslands are habitats dominated by grasses. The most common animal species in terrestrial ecosystems include deer, squirrels, rabbits, and snakes.
Here are the different types of Terrestrial Ecosystems:
1. Desert Ecosystems
A Desert ecosystem is a terrestrial ecosystem that makes up approximately 35% of the world’s total landmass. There are more deserts in the world than forests, tundra, or grasslands.
Deserts are a dry, harsh type of habitat that might only get small amounts of rain throughout the year. Heat is one characteristic that the majority of world deserts share. Temperatures reach the extremes, and some deserts will stay at a constant daily temperature of around 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
More than a third of the world has deserts, though many of these areas would have been lush and green in the past. Deserts are everywhere, including the Gobi (in China), the Namib and Sahara in Africa, and the Thar in India. Of these, the Sahara is the world’s largest desert.
While warm during the day, deserts cool down at night as the wind picks up and the sun goes down. This allows unique nocturnal life to flourish in the desert.
Desert plants will retain moisture, while many grow under the sand’s protective barrier. Animals are more active at night and take advantage of the temperature drop to move and hunt.
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2. Tropical Rain Forest Ecosystem
Forest ecosystems comprise approximately 31% of the world’s total landmass and are further split into different categories depending on the type of forest (and its dominant characteristics).
Trees dominate forests and are usually high in humidity and rainfall due to the environmental conditions they create. Unfortunately, forests are also lost at 1% per year. Forests are one of the most threatened biomes thanks to factors like deforestation.
The world’s forests can be divided into three categories: Tropical, temperate, and arboreal. Elevation is one factor that defines a forest, as are the majority of tree types that prefer to grow in it.
OurWorldData.org estimates that the world has lost one-third of its forest biome. Further online statistics reveal that only about 5% of original redwoods are left in nature.
Forests everywhere need our help. With forests under threat and in constant decline, there is not much time left to act to save the world’s forests.
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3. Grassland
The grassland ecosystem is defined by large, open plains and the biological life that calls this biosphere its home. Vegetation (e.g. wild grasses) is most of what you will find here, but of course, not all by far.
The grassland ecosystem is one of the world’s largest, making up as much as 20% to 40% of the world’s land surface. Forests, by direct comparison, make up approximately 31%.
The North American prairies and African Savannah are just two examples of grassland environments. Grassland ecosystems are dominated by different grass varieties, but don’t let the size of this ecosystem fool you into thinking it is not under threat right now.
The world’s grasslands are disappearing at such a rate that only about 10% of total grasslands are left. Damage to this particular habitat occurs just as much as in others.
Drought and water scarcity are two natural dangers facing the grasslands’ future. Where temperatures rise further due to global warming, nature finds it even more difficult to support itself.
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4. Tundra
Tundras, which are dominated by ice and makeup as much as 10% of the world’s total land surface, are also called ice deserts and can be found throughout colder parts of the world (like Alaska and Canada).
Officially, the tundra is one of the harshest biomes in which life can survive. Tundras are considered the coldest of the world’s environments, with temperatures only bested by the extremes. While they’re covered in ice, tundras are as dry as deserts—and just as harsh for most varieties of life.
The tundra ecosystem is not too harsh to support life. Humans might find conditions uncomfortable sometimes, but it is perfect for the biological organisms adapted to them.
Labrador tea, Arctic poppy, Cottongrass, and Caribou moss are some plant types that flourish in the extreme tundra biosphere.
As for animals, the tundra is home to Polar bears, Arctic foxes, Arctic hares, reindeer, elk, and snowy owls. Like plants, the animals of the tundra have adapted to suit their harsh environment.
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5. Mountain Ranges
Mountain ranges are chains of linked-together mountain peaks that exist everywhere in the world. The Himalayas and the Andes ranges are just two examples that almost everyone knows—but unfortunately, they are also some of the most threatened biomes in the world.
Each mountain is measured by its peak, but each mountain range is measured by its highest summit. Mountaineers dedicate their sport to reaching the top – and that’s challenging for anyone.
Conditions are harsh atop the average mountain range and less ideal for humans the higher up they are measured. Changes in pressure make moving and breathing, basic tasks on the ground, much more difficult. Although mountain ranges are harsh for most people, they can surprisingly still support ample life as their own unique habitat.
Pines, spruce, and juniper trees are some biological life that prefers higher altitudes and mountainous soil. Snow leopards, cougars, yaks, and llamas are some animals that flourish in the world’s mountain ranges.
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6. Steppes
Steppes are grasslands covered in grass, though they are located between polar and tropic regions instead of inland, where most types of grassland biospheres are found.
Other grassland biospheres include the Savannah and prairies, also categorized by large open plains dominated by grass (though with more trees than the steppes).
The Eurasian steppes are perhaps the most famous mentions of this habitat in the world—in fact, they are so well-known that they are just referred to as the steppes in most resources.
The conditions found within steppes can be extremely harsh and mountainous. They are not ideal for human exploration but perfect for the animals that have adapted to them.
Eagles, prairie dogs, bison, antelopes, and marmots are all animals on the steppes. Unfortunately, many of these species are on the endangered species list (or fast on the way there).
Like most of the world’s habitats, the steppes are also severely threatened. Climate change has caused the severe decline of the world’s grasslands, and the steppes are just as hard hit.
Remember that the steppes require just as much protection due to the effects of our carbon footprint, deforestation, and pollution.
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7. Coastal
Coastal Ecosystems make up approximately 7% of the world’s total land surface, though they support an incredible amount of its overall biological life.
Coastal habitats are the point between ocean and land, where terrestrial environments meet aquatic and marine ones. The coast is one of the richest biomes you might ever encounter.
Estuaries, beaches, rock pools, dunes, and coastal forests are different coastal habitats. Coral reef ecosystems and marshes are other coastal habitat types, though reefs might also be considered aquatic depending on their depth!
Coastal areas are high in humidity and have moderate to high rainfall. Some coasts are near coastal forests, while others are rocky and mountainous. Still, these are all coastal habitats!
Erosion, weather, deforestation, pollution, mining, industry, and illegal dumping are some of the negative impacts this biosphere might face.
Without a healthy coastal biosphere, the industries around it would almost certainly collapse.
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8. Temperate Forest
Temperate forest ecosystems are rich and diverse habitats with abundant plant and animal life. Found in regions with longer, colder winters, temperate forests are home to a wide range of tree species, including deciduous trees like oaks and maples and coniferous trees such as spruce and cedar. Temperate grasslands frequently surround them.
Temperate forests also contain a wide spectrum of smaller plants, including ferns, mosses, and wildflowers. In addition to vegetation, temperate forests are home to a variety of fascinating wildlife.
Small mammals such as squirrels, chipmunks, and foxes inhabit these forests alongside larger mammals like deer and wild boars. Birds like owls and songbirds thrive in the diverse tree canopy above and on the forest floor below.
This ecosystem is primarily defined by its climate rather than geographic location or physical characteristics. Unlike tropical rainforests or arid deserts, temperate forests can thrive in many different locations worldwide.
However, the defining characteristics of temperate ecosystems―longer winters with cold, snowy periods―result in flora and fauna that differ from other ecosystems in subtle ways.
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Aquatic Ecosystems
An Aquatic ecosystem is a habitat dominated by water. It can be found in freshwater (lakes and rivers) or saltwater (the ocean).
Water covers more than 70% of the Earth’s surface, and the world’s water coverage can be divided into aquatic and marine.
Aquatic habitats are dominated by water, though they are not as large (or as high in salt content) as the world’s oceans. This ecosystem includes marine ecosystems, oceanic ecosystems, and freshwater ecosystems.
Aquatic ecosystems are home to various plant and animal life, including fish, birds, whales, sharks, and turtles. Some of the most well-known aquatic ecosystems are coral reefs, which are found in warm tropical waters worldwide.
While each ecosystem has unique features and challenges, all ecosystems depend on one another to maintain a balanced and healthy environment. Whether you’re exploring a terrestrial or aquatic ecosystem, remember to respect and conserve the natural resources and habitats.
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9. The Arctic
The Arctic circle is one of the world’s polar circles, located in the northernmost part of the globe. While the Arctic is huge, it only covers about 4% of the Earth’s surface. Nine countries comprise the Arctic: Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, and parts of the United States.
The Arctic ecosystem is a type of oceanic ecosystem with harsh conditions. But these conditions are not too extreme for people or other living organisms not to survive. Temperatures are low, and the Arctic is covered in ice for most of the year.
The Arctic might measure as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit. Its extreme position means that summers are shorter when you’re in the Arctic. Winters, of course, are longer. The Arctic Ocean flanks the region but creates different ecosystems (e.g., marine and coastal). This ocean is the world’s smallest at only 5.4 million miles.
Heightened temperatures, pollution, and weather events threaten the livelihood of everything dependent on the Arctic region for survival. The impact of melting ice affects the Arctic region and the surrounding ecologies that depend on it. Damage to one ecosystem always causes damage to another: a horrible environmental Domino effect.
Initiatives and organizations like PAME support the protection of sustainable living in the Arctic region.
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10. Wetlands
Wetlands make up about 7% of the world’s total land area. By comparison to others like tundra (10%) or forest (35%), wetlands are one of the world’s smallest biomes when measured by their total land coverage.
Wetlands are called “wet” because the soil is waterlogged and remains in this state for most of the year. Swamps and marshes create heat and humidity but also an ideal supportive environment for life.
Waterbirds, beavers, muskrats, alligators, and egrets are some animals you might find around the wetland ecosystem. Even though the world’s wetlands don’t makeup as much as the grasslands or forests, wetlands are essential for the world’s other habitats to function.
Wetlands act as a natural filtration system for the water that passes through, guaranteeing cleaner lakes and rivers. If wetlands aren’t at their full capacity, it can (and will) affect the water quality on the other side. Many environmental damage filters through just from the world’s damaged wetlands.
It’s not only about their role as a filtration system for other environments. Wetlands also protect the natural environment against excessive harm during storms. A healthy wetland can provide a long-term barrier against erosion that might damage the surrounding habitats.
Worldwide projects (including ones launched by the World Wildlife Fund) are in place to protect and restore the world’s wetlands.
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11. Marine
This ecosystem is the most diverse habitat on Earth. Although it varies greatly in size, location, and climate, it all contains a complex web of life. The term “marine ecosystem” refers to any system that includes both plant and animal life forms living in an aquatic environment.
Marine ecosystems can be found in both saltwater and freshwater habitats. The biggest difference between marine and other types of ecosystems is the salinity of the water.
A Marine ecosystem is home to a wide variety of plant and animal life, including both microscopic organisms and large mammals such as whales. The interaction between these different species is what makes this ecosystem so unique.
For example, marine plants provide food for animals by producing oxygen through photosynthesis. Animals then use this oxygen to respire.
In return, animals help to aerate the water through their movements and waste products. These interactions create a delicate balance that is essential for the health of a marine ecosystem.
FAQ
What are the topmost fascinating ecosystems?
The Amazon rainforest, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Serengeti are some of the world’s most fascinating ecosystems.
How many ecosystems are there in the world?
Most people are familiar with the major ecosystems on Earth, such as forests, deserts, and oceans. However, biologists still debate how many distinct ecosystems there actually are.
One reason for this disagreement is that no agreed-upon definition of an ecosystem exists. Some scientists believe an ecosystem must be self-contained, without exchanging matter or energy with the surrounding environment.
Others believe an ecosystem can be open to exchange if it maintains its internal integrity.
What are the seven main types of ecosystems?
An ecosystem is a community of living organisms and their non-living environment. The seven main types of ecosystems are tropical rainforest, savanna, desert, chaparral, temperate grassland, temperate forest, and taiga. Each ecosystem has unique characteristics, such as climate, vegetation, and animal species.
What are some ecosystems around the world?
An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with their environment. Some ecosystems worldwide include tropical rainforests, coral reefs, and tundras. Tropical rainforests near the equator are home to various plants and animals. Coral reefs are underwater ecosystems that support a variety of marine life. Tundras are cold, treeless landscapes in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, characterized by permafrost and a limited number of plant and animal species.
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