An ecosystem is a geographical system that consists of living and non-living entities which coexist together in harmony. The biotic (or living) components include humans, animals, and plants. The abiotic (or nonliving) components include weather, sunlight, water, soil, etc. They do not exist independently of one another. Rather, they work in sync and interact with each other to exchange energy. Now, there can be plenty of variations in ecosystems at a given location, which we study in the unit ecosystem diversity. We will discuss several ecosystem diversity biodiversity examples that would help you understand the topic in great detail.
Ecosystem Diversity
There are many ecosystems that exist on earth. They are mainly of 4 types:
- Marine ecosystem.
- Freshwater ecosystem.
- Terrestrial ecosystem.
- Artificial ecosystem.
A terrestrial ecosystem exists on land, and it can be of various types, including forests, deserts, grasslands, etc, i.e. there is a diversity that exists. A forest ecosystem is supremely distinct when compared to a desert ecosystem.
Ecosystem diversity is the largest type of biodiversity. Biodiversity can be defined as the variations in the biosphere as a whole. It can be classified on the basis of the extent we are talking about. When we consider variations in the members of a particular species, it is called genetic variations. For example, different human beings are genetically varied from each other. When we compare two different species in a bigger community, it comes under the purview of species diversity. While talking about ecosystem diversity, we consider the differences in the organisation of plants and animal species. Genetic diversity and species diversity come under the purview of ecosystem diversity.
Another definition can be in terms of the variation in the complexity of a given community. For example, one ecosystem may include much more genetic and species diversity than another ecosystem. The first one would be called more diverse.
Factors affecting Ecosystem diversity
- It is affected by various factors. It depends on the environment’s physical characteristics, the extent of diversity among species existing in the ecosystem, and the numerous interactions that the biotic components do with each other and the abiotic components.
- Sometimes, an ecosystem that may not contain a large variety of species, like hot springs or submarine black smokers can also be very diverse and complex. This is because whatever little biotic species do exist in such ecosystems have exemplary biochemical processes taking place within themselves.
- Physical characteristics of the ecosystem’s environment also determine the ecosystem’s diversity. Although they are very complex, some of the general characteristics include the ecosystem’s topography, precipitation, and temperature. For example, it has been generally noted that an ecosystem with high diversity is found in warmer climatic conditions.
- Another important physical characteristic that determines it is the energy flux, i.e., rate of energy transfer. There would be considerable distinctions in an ecosystem present in a coastline having huge wave energy and one present in a sheltered marsh area.
Examples of ecosystem diversity biodiversity
The subject of ecosystem diversity may be dealt with differently according to the size of the ecosystem in consideration. When we consider it at a small scale or at a micro level, we are interested in the variations in the ecosystem in a concentrated geographical area. On the other hand, at a large scale or a macro level, we consider those ecosystems that are spread over a large geographical area like oceans, forests, and so on. At a macro level, the species and genetic variations found in any given ecosystem are also much higher.
The examples of an ecosystem with high diversity are as follows:
- Forests: In any forest, we would find a large variety of flora and fauna, which interact with their physical surroundings to exchange energy and for survival. Thousands of species are found, making it an ecosystem with high diversity.
- Oceans: In an ocean, the variation in aquatic animals and plants is massive, making oceans rich in ecosystem diversity.
We can compare two different ecosystems and compare them to gauge how diverse they are. For example, a forest ecosystem would be distinct as compared to a desert ecosystem.
Conclusion
Ecosystem diversity refers to various types of ecosystems that can be found in a biosphere. Ecosystem diversity, in simple words, is the understanding of how different the ecosystems in a given geography are. It can also be defined in terms of the extent of its biodiversity. In any case, it is highly important for our survival. It has a significant impact on our well-being and livelihood. For example, freshwater diversity often leads to the purification of water as certain plant species themselves are capable of cleaning water. In an ecosystem with large plant diversity (such as a rainforest), a lot of herbal plants are found, which are used to make ointments for us.