AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM AND TERRESTRIAL

ECOSYSTEM

An ecosystem is a collection of communities of living and non-living things that are

interrelated. Many ecosystems exist on land and in the waters of the world.

I) AQUATIC ECOLOGICAL SYSTEM:

On the basis of salt content, the aquatic ecosystem can be divided into freshwater
ecosystem and marine ecosystem.
The freshwater ecosystem is generally named according to the size and nature of the
aquatic body. Therefore, freshwater ecosystem can be pond eco-system, lake ecosystem,
river ecosystem and spring ecosystem.

II) TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEM:

Terrestrial ecosystems are those found only on land. Biotics, or living things found in an
ecosystem, include various forms of life, such as plants and animals. The abiotic or non-
living elements found in an ecosystem include the various land forms and climate.
TYPES AND EXAMPLES OF TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
Although there have been many classification schemes developed over time, it is now
generally accepted that there are six types of terrestrial ecosystems. These include taiga,
tundra, deciduous forest, grasslands, tropical forests and deserts.

Based on habitat conditions, the terrestrial ecosystem can be divided into four subsystems.

These are:

A) The grassland ecosystem.

B) The forest ecosystem.

C) The desert ecosystem.

D) Artificial ecosystem

Pond as an ecosystem:

It is a freshwater aquatic ecosystem. It lucidly demonstrates a self-sufficient and self-

regulating ecosystem.

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN TERRESTRIAL AND AQUATIC

SYSTEMS:
In both terrestrial and aquatic environments, ecosystems include communities composed of
a variety of species, • in terrestrial and aquatic communities there are populations at
different trophic (nutrient) levels, • there is great interdependence between species in both
terrestrial and aquatic , in the undisturbed terrestrial and aquatic balance of the ecosystem,
that is, very few major changes are observed over a period of time.

THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TERRESTRIAL AND

AQUATIC SYSTEMS:
Because aquatic environments are so rich in nutrients, they support more equivalent
terrestrial ecosystems. Small photosynthetic organisms drifting in the oceans, known
collectively as phytoplankton, are considered the primary photointensors, or primary
producers, of the earth.  Aquatic environments are much more stable than terrestrial
environments, with minor fluctuations in temperature and other variables; Land animals are
influenced more by gravity, while water supports aquatic organisms.

COMPARATIVE TABLES BETWEEN TERRESTRIAL

ECOSYSTEMS AND AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS: