Natural ecosystems are a source of wealth and diversity, offering an astonishing variety of natural resources, as well as a wonderful biodiversity of species. Conceived as biological systems in which life develops, natural ecosystems play an important role in the global functioning of planet Earth. The connections established between their biological communities, as well as the characteristics of the climatic phenomena that occur in them, allow the development of living beings adapted to a specific ecosystem. Therefore, the protection and conservation of natural ecosystems is essential, since if we respect the life of natural ecosystems we will be betting on biodiversity and the quality of life on Earth.
If you want to delve deeper into the world of ecosystems and ecology, continue reading this Green Ecologist article in which you will learn about what is a natural ecosystem, its characteristics and examples.
What is a natural ecosystem
Natural ecosystems are all those biological systems that have their own networks of interactions between living beings and nature. They are highly complex systems that have millions of years of evolution, in which the laws of survival and adaptation set the rhythms of their own natural balance.
The constant flows of energy and matter that occur within natural ecosystems have been observed by human beings since the first civilizations, with the aim of deciphering their components and imitating their relationships with the elements of nature.
In the next sections we will delve into the main characteristics of natural ecosystems, as well as the different types of ecosystems that exist to learn how to differentiate them.
Characteristics of natural ecosystems
For the correct functioning and optimal balance of natural ecosystems, a whole network of components of different kinds interact with each other. In the following list we will see in detail what those are main components and characteristics of natural ecosystems of the planet:
- You are made up of biotic (living beings) and abiotic (soil, rocks, climatic factors) components.
- In them there are intraspecific relationships or between individuals of the same species, interspecific relationships or between individuals of different species and biological communities, as well as relationships between said communities of organisms and the environment in which they live, also called biotope.
- There are constant flows of matter and energy within natural ecosystems, which allow an ecological succession of the communities of organisms that compose them to take place.
- Natural ecosystems maintain optimal balances between living beings and the environment that make them up. Learn more about this aspect with this other Green Ecologist article on the Ecosystem in balance: what it is and how it is maintained.
From these common characteristics, it is possible to differentiate the existence of different types of natural ecosystems according to their climatic characteristics, as well as the biological communities that constitute them. In the next section we will detail which are these types of ecosystems that we can find in different parts of the planet.
Examples of natural ecosystems
Now that we know the definition of a natural ecosystem and its characteristics, let's see some examples of natural ecosystems most surprising that exist throughout the Earth:
- Amazon jungle.
- Atacama Desert.
- Great Australian Barrier Reef.
- Colombian mountain moorlands.
- Coastal mangroves of Brazil.
- Taiga or Canadian coniferous forest.
- Alpine meadow.
- Mongolian steppes.
- Indlandsis of Antarctica.
- Marismas de Doñana.
Types of ecosystems
Through a general classification we can distinguish ecosystems into two main types: natural ecosystems and man-made, artificial or non-natural ecosystems, that is, those that have been created and designed by human beings. Within both main types of ecosystems there are different subgroups, which are detailed below in the following complete list of types of ecosystems:
Natural ecosystems
- Terrestrial ecosystems: deserts, tropical grasslands (steppes, grasslands, and grasslands), savannas, jungles, tundras, and temperate forests. We recommend these other articles on What is a terrestrial ecosystem and its characteristics and the Types of terrestrial ecosystems and examples.
- Aquatic ecosystems: lakes, rivers, springs and streams, oceans, seas, reefs, shallow littoral waters, estuaries, and coastal saltwater lagoons. If you want to expand your knowledge about these types of ecosystems, we recommend reading these posts about What is an aquatic ecosystem, Freshwater aquatic ecosystems: examples and What are saltwater aquatic ecosystems.
- Aerial ecosystem: any area that combines land and air or sea and air. Here we explain more about the Air Ecosystem: what it is, characteristics and types.
- Mixed ecosystems: They are those that combine water and land, such as wetlands, mangroves, marshes and coasts. Find out more about them in this other post about What is a mixed ecosystem.
Artificial ecosystems
- Agricultural or agricultural ecosystems.
- Dam or reservoir ecosystems.
- Urban and rural ecosystems.
Expand this information with this other article by Green Ecologist on the Types of ecosystems.
Difference between natural and artificial ecosystem
Natural ecosystems have filled the planet with life for millions of years. However, during the evolution of human beings, these natural ecosystems have been modified and altered, sometimes constituting new totally artificial ecosystems.
These man-made or man-made ecosystems, are made up of modified landscapes and interspecific relationships in which humans we are the most abundant species. We can thus affirm that they are humanized ecosystems, in which the flows of matter and energy, as well as the relationships and the global balance of the ecosystem are determined according to the needs and characteristics of people's lives; in contrast to the rhythms that natural ecosystems follow, in which each and every one of the groups of organisms interact in unison to favor the natural balance of the system.
Here we explain more about what an artificial ecosystem is and several examples of this type of ecosystem altered by people until it is no longer natural.
If you want to read more articles similar to Natural ecosystem: what it is, characteristics and examples, we recommend that you enter our Ecosystems category.
Bibliography- García, J.E. (2003). Investigating the ecosystem. Research at School Magazine. Volume 51, pp: 83-100.
- Sánchez, O. et. al., (2007) Fundamental concepts on ecosystems. Perspectives on the conservation of aquatic ecosystems in Mexico. National Institute of Ecology: Mexico, pp: 37-46.
