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Terrestrial Ecosystems: Meaning, Characteristics, Types & Significance
IMPORTANT LINKS
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GS Paper |
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Topics for UPSC Prelims |
Ecosystem, Forests, Grasslands, Deserts, Soil Conservation |
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Topics for UPSC Mains |
Conservation of Biodiversity, Degradation of ecosystems, Sustainable land management |
What is Terrestrial Ecosystem?
A terrestrial ecosystem is an ecosystem that exists on land. These ecosystems encompass a variety of landscape types where the organisms interact with the physical environment in complex ways. Terrestrial ecosystems are distinguished from aquatic ecosystems because of the different climatic and geological influences to which they are subject, which give them specific characteristics.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Examples
Terrestrial ecosystems encompass several environments. Examples include:
- Forests: Such as tropical rainforests in the Amazon Basin.
- Grasslands: Like the prairies of North America.
- Deserts: Such as the Sahara Desert.
- Tundra: Like the Arctic tundra.
- Mountain Ranges: Such as the Himalayas.
- Ghats: Like the Western and Eastern Ghats in India.
These are examples of varied terrestrial ecosystems and their general distribution around the world.
Read the article on the Tropical Deciduous Forests in India!
Characteristics of Terrestrial Ecosystems
Ecosystems that exist in land share several common characteristic features:
- Presence on Land: They are primarily confined to land environments of unique geological features.
- Biodiversity: They have diverse flora and fauna as determined by the ecosystem types and geography.
- Climate influence: Very responsive to conditions like temperature, precipitation and light.
- Soil types: Soils affect plant types and, by implication, the whole ecosystem in terms of its health condition.
- Water: It tends to be low as it is compared to aquatic ecosystems, impacting the organisms that will live in a given ecosystem with survival conditions.
- Light: Availability determines plant growth, especially about primary productivity.
Read the article on Montane Forest in India!
Types of Terrestrial Ecosystems
Terrestrial ecosystems can be broadly classified into several types, each with unique characteristics:
Forest Ecosystem Definition
Forest ecosystems are complex biotic communities which are primarily composed of trees and other vegetation that cover large areas of land. They play a critical role in maintaining ecological balance, enhancing biodiversity, and regulating climate. Forests are categorized into various types based on geographical location, climate, and the type of vegetation present.
Tropical Rainforests
Tropical rainforests are distinguished by high rainfall above 2000 mm per year and constantly high temperatures between 25-30°C. They are rich in biodiversity, and the Amazon rainforest alone hosts about one in ten known species on Earth. They are crucial for global carbon cycling and climate regulation.
Temperate Deciduous Forests
These forests have a moderate climate with marked seasons. It experiences around 75-150 cm of rainfall in a year. The usual location includes eastern North America, western Europe, and Asia. Dominated by deciduous trees, especially oaks, maples, and beeches, the forest goes dormant during winter due to a lack of leaves that expose them to losing much water.
Boreal or North Coniferous Forests
They are known as taiga, although their name varies between high latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere. They suffer from very long, cold winters and very short cool summers. They are largely coniferous with pines, spruces, and firs as common species; however, these forests perform very crucial functions in terms of global carbon storage and housing many wildlife species.
Read the article on the National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP)!
Grassland Ecosystem
Grassland ecosystems are open areas dominated by grasses with few trees or shrubs. They are found in regions where there is enough rainfall to support grasses but not forests. Grasslands play a crucial role in supporting large herbivores and predators and are important for agriculture due to their fertile soils.
Tropical Grasslands
Tropical grasslands, also known as savannas, are found in Africa, South America, and parts of India. They have warm climates with distinct wet and dry seasons. These ecosystems support an array of herbivores like elephants, zebras, and gazelles, and predators like lions and cheetahs.
Temperate Grasslands
These grasslands are found in places like North America's prairies, South America's pampas, and the steppes of Eurasia. They have hot summers, cold winters, and moderate precipitation (25-89 cm annually). They are primarily covered by grass species and support grazing animals like bison and antelope. Because of their fertile soils, many temperate grasslands have been converted into agricultural lands.
Read the article on Natural Resources and Sustainable Management!
Desert Ecosystem
The extreme temperature and very low rainfall are features that characterize desert ecosystems. Deserts are among the toughest environments on Earth, and yet they host a wide variety of specially adapted plant and animal species.
Hot Deserts
Hot deserts, like the Sahara, Arabian, and the Australian deserts, are very hot and have low precipitation levels of less than 250 mm per year. There is little vegetation, and animals here are highly adapted to conserve water. The flora here is mostly cacti and xerophytic shrubs, while fauna includes camels, lizards, and various insect species.
Cold Deserts or Temperate Deserts
Cold deserts, such as the Great Basin and Gobi deserts, have cold winters with snowfall and little rain. These regions have drought-resistant plants like sagebrush and animals that are tolerant of cool temperatures, such as certain species of deer and rabbits.
Tundra Ecosystem
Tundra ecosystems have extremely cold climates, low biodiversity, and simple vegetation structures. They occur at high latitudes around the Arctic and in alpine regions at high elevations.
Arctic Tundra
Arctic tundra ecosystems are in the vicinity of the North Pole and are distinguished by permafrost, an area of permanently frozen ground. Low biodiversity is characterized by these areas, where plant life is mostly composed of mosses, lichens, and low shrubs. Fauna is generally comprised of animals such as caribou, arctic foxes, and polar bears that have adaptations to the cold environment.
Alpine Tundra
Alpine tundra ecosystems are found at high mountain elevations around the world, above the tree line where temperatures are too low for trees to grow. These regions lack permafrost but have similar conditions to the Arctic tundra. Common plants include grasses, mosses, and hardy shrubs, while fauna typically includes animals like mountain goats and snow leopards.
Tundra in India
The tundra ecosystem can be seen in the higher reaches of the Himachal and Uttarakhand Himalayan ranges in India. Despite severe climatic conditions, adapted flora such as mosses and lichens and fauna such as the snow leopard and Himalayan thar can be found surviving in alpine tundra environments.
Read the article on Environmental Degradation!
Mountain Ecosystem
Mountain ecosystems are characterized by their elevation and climatic variability. These ecosystems host diverse habitats ranging from forests and grasslands to alpine tundra. They are significant for biodiversity conservation, climate regulation through their influence on temperature and precipitation patterns, and for supporting the livelihoods of mountain communities.
Ghats Ecosystem
The Ghats, the Western and the Eastern Ghats, are mountain ranges along the western and eastern coasts of India, respectively. These exhibit significant ecological diversity and have unique flora and fauna. Western Ghats, in particular, are a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world's biodiversity hotspots, crucial for ecological and environmental sustainability.
Western Ghats
The Western Ghats stretch along the western coast of India, which is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the most significant biodiversity hotspots around the world, providing many endemic species of flora and fauna. The Western Ghats are important for the water resources, climatic balance, and rich biodiversity.
Eastern Ghats
Although not as biodiverse as the Western Ghats, the Eastern Ghats are ecologically important in southern India. They are mineral-rich and support significant forest cover and diverse wildlife, including many endemic species.
Read the article on UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration!
Significance of Terrestrial Ecosystems
The importance of terrestrial ecosystems cuts across several areas:
- Conservation of Biodiversity: Terrestrial ecosystems are crucial for biodiversity, providing habitat to myriad species and supporting genetic diversity.
- Climate Control: The flora in these areas trap carbon dioxide and reduce the concentrations of greenhouse gases that could be leading to global warming.
- Water Cycle Regulation: These areas assist in groundwater recharge and thus assist in maintaining groundwater levels, essential for the survival of mankind and agriculture.
- Soil Conservation: The plant cover protects soil from erosion while keeping it fertile for farming practices with a focus on sustainable agricultural operations.
- Livelihood Support: Terrestrial ecosystems offer people resources like timber, foods, and medicinal plants upon which the local and indigenous populations survive.
- Recreational and Tourism: Most of the terrestrial ecosystems are very instrumental in recreation and ecotourism activities that the local communities and countries acquire economic benefits.
- Cultural and Spiritual Values: More cultures have spiritual and cultural relationships with their surrounding terrestrial ecosystems that affect their custom and practice.
- Research and Education: They are natural laboratories where science research and education will advance our understanding of the process of ecology and ways to conserve it.
Read the article on Desertification!
Difference between Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems
Terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems both contribute importantly to the biosphere. However, they also present differences in characteristics. A table showing their difference can be summarized as follows:
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Difference between Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems |
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Parameter |
Terrestrial Ecosystems |
Aquatic Ecosystems |
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Location |
On land, in forests, grasslands, deserts, and tundra |
In water, in oceans, lakes, rivers, and wetlands |
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Primary Producers |
Mainly ground plants, such as woody plants (trees, shrubs) and gramineous plants (grasses) |
Aquatic and algal plants, including planktonic algae, seaweeds, and water lilies |
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Climate Influence |
Affected by factors like temperature, precipitation, and light intensity |
Affected by factors like water temperature, depth, salinity, and light penetration |
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Adaptation |
Water-conserving or tolerant organisms suited to various temperature ranges |
Buoyancy or osmoregulation organisms adapted for underwater respiration |
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Organization |
Distinct vertically layered system, such as those seen in forests: the canopy layer, understory layer, and ground layer |
Organized by zones like littoral, limnetic, and benthic zones in aquatic environments |
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Resource Availability |
Resources such as nutrients and water can be patchy and variable |
Nutrients are distributed in waters, but availability can fluctuate (eutrophic vs. oligotrophic conditions) |
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Key Takeaways for UPSC Aspirants
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Download the Key Takeaways PDF for Terrestrial Ecosystems!
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Terrestrial Ecosystems UPSC FAQs
Define Terrestrial Ecosystems.
Terrestrial ecosystems are land-based ecosystems comprising forests, grasslands, deserts, and tundras, where a set of organisms interacts physically with the environment.
Why is it called a Terrestrial Ecosystem?
It is called a terrestrial ecosystem because it exists exclusively on land, unlike aquatic ecosystems that exist in water.
What are the major types of terrestrial ecosystems?
The major types of terrestrial ecosystems are forests, grasslands, deserts, tundras, mountains, and ghats.
What is the difference between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems?
Terrestrial ecosystems are those whose habitats are on land primarily affected by climatic conditions, whereas aquatic ecosystems will be those whose habitats have water and are affected more by factors like water temperature and salinity and light penetration.
What are the examples for terrestrial ecosystems?
Examples include Tropical rainforests, Temperate grasslands, Hot deserts, Arctic Tundra and Western Ghats.
Can human activities affect the terrestrial ecosystem?
Yes, human activities such as deforestation, urbanization, and pollution have greatly affected terrestrial ecosystems through habitat alteration and loss of biodiversity.
Is climate change impacting terrestrial ecosystems?
Yes, climate change affects terrestrial ecosystems by changing climate zones, altering habitats, and changing the distribution and behavior of species.
Tropical deciduous, temperate, etc. are the examples of which ecosystem?
Tropical deciduous, temperate, and other similar terms are examples of terrestrial ecosystems.