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Following the dynamics of the informative and formative articles of the meanings that Ecologista Verde is explaining, we will develop a new concept. In this article we talk about what is biocenosis with a simple explanation with examples.
We can intuit according to the formation of the word, which is derived from the world of biology, and we are not mistaken, the prefix "bio" means life, so then the term will have to do with living beings. If you are interested in further learning about biocoenosis, keep reading these lines.
What is biocenosis - definition
We denominate biocenosis or biotic community the set of living beings (different species) that coexist, develop and inhabit the same place, with a series of environmental and physical conditions that make life possible in it, this physical space is called biotope. Both concepts form what we call ecosystem. In this other Green Ecologist article we explain what an ecosystem is.
Inside of the biocenosis concept we can differentiate:
- Zoocenosis (referring to animals).
- Phytocenosis (referring to plants).
- Microbiocenosis (referring to microorganisms).
To better understand all the given concepts, below we show an explanatory diagram.
Thus, the ecosystem is a biological system made up of a part represented by living beings, called biocenosis, and another part represented by the physical place, called biotope. Both are related by biotic factors (living organisms and their relationships) and abiotic factors (light, temperature, pH …).
Difference between biocenosis and biotope
To clarify in simpler terms the difference between biocenosis and biotope, we explain in this section everything we need to know to understand it.
The biotope and biocenosis are two parts that form what we call ecosystem. Biocenosis is the part of the ecosystem made up of living organisms, that is, animals, plants and microorganisms, everything that has life is part of the biocenosis, which we also call the biotic part. On the other hand, the biotope is the physical part in which living beings inhabit, the biocenosis. The biotope offers the appropriate physical characteristics for its habitability, it is the non-living part of the ecosystem, the abiotic part: the soil, water, atmosphere …
It is easy to confuse biotope with habitat, but the habitat is the zone / area where the living being develops, such as the branch of a tree, between rocks …
In this other post we detail what is a biotope with examples.
Determining factors in biocoenosis
Depending on the area of the planet in which we focus, we can find different biocenoses or groups of living beingsThis is due to the limiting factors or barriers that will define the type of organisms that will inhabit the biotope.
- Physical barriers.
- Climatic barriers, which will also define different climatic zones such as the polar and subpolar zones (cold and extreme temperatures), the temperate zone (temperatures with seasonality, that is, 4 seasons a year), the continental zone (moderate temperatures), the arid zone. (very dry climate), the tropical zone (two seasons, one dry and the other wet) and the equatorial zone (high and stable temperatures all year round with abundant rains).
- Biological barriers, which is the presence of enemy organisms or that enter into competition with others, food shortages, etc.
Biotope types
There are different types of biotope, specifically these three:
- Aquatic biotope: seas, oceans, lakes and rivers.
- Terrestrial biotope: mountains, grasslands …
- Mixed biotope: combination of both, such as coastlines.
Examples of biocenosis
Some examples of biocenosis or set of living organisms are as follows:
Populations
Set of living beings of the same species that live in the same place. Specific biocenosis.
- Pinewood.
- Hayedo.
- Bank of fish.
- Hare population.
- Pack of wolves.
Set of populations
Populations of different species that form the complex biocenosis of a place.
- Coral reef: corals are home to fish such as clownfish, sponges, worms.
- Oceanic posidonia meadow, which is home to starfish, turtles, lobsters, fish.
- Lakes that host characteristic freshwater fauna such as trout, ferns, mosses.
- Pine forest, which is home to pines of the specific species of the area and fauna such as squirrels, worms, butterflies, blue tit.
- Mangrove, which is home to mangroves (arboreal species), insects, ants, spiders, snakes.
In this way we could continue until all the species, populations and set of populations that inhabit the planet are exhausted. We hope these simple and easy-to-see examples have solved any doubts that may have arisen throughout this article by Ecologista Verde.
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