Ecosystem_Types_With_Images_and_Details.pptx

Ecological system , aquatic , terrestrial

1. Ecosystem Types — Detailed Explanations & Examples Includes Forest (tropical, seasonal, taiga, mangroves, temperate), Grasslands, Desert, Freshwater & Marine (coral reefs) Images: links provided on each slide

2. Overview: What is an Ecosystem? An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (plants, animals, microbes) interacting with non-living components (air, water, soil, climate) in a particular area. Key concepts: • Biotic components: producers, consumers, decomposers. • Abiotic components: sunlight, temperature, water, nutrients, soil. • Energy flow and nutrient cycles: solar energy → producers → consumers → decomposers; and cycles like carbon, nitrogen, water.

3. Forest Ecosystems — General Forests are land ecosystems dominated by trees and other woody vegetation. They have multiple vertical layers (emergent, canopy, understory, forest floor) which create many niches and high biodiversity. Important functions: carbon storage, climate regulation, soil protection, freshwater regulation, and providing resources & habitat for people and wildlife. Major forest types: Tropical rainforests, Tropical seasonal (monsoon) forests, Temperate forests, Taiga (boreal), Mangroves. Forest image (aerial view of Amazon rainforest) — click to open

4. Tropical Rainforest (Evergreen) Climate: Very high rainfall (2000–10,000 mm/yr in some places), warm year-round, little seasonal temperature change. Structure: Distinct vertical layers — emergent trees, closed canopy, understory, forest floor. High epiphyte and liana abundance. Biodiversity: Highest of any terrestrial ecosystem — many plant, insect, bird, mammal and microbial species. Examples/locations: Amazon Basin (South America), Congo Basin (Africa), Southeast Asian rainforests (Borneo, Sumatra). Threats: Deforestation (logging, agriculture like cattle ranching & soy, palm oil), fragmentation, climate change. Image source: Amazon aerial photo (Wikimedia Commons)

5. Tropical Seasonal (Monsoon) Forest Climate: High annual rainfall but with a pronounced dry season. Trees often shed leaves during the dry season (deciduous behavior). Vegetation & animals: Mix of evergreen and deciduous trees; rich understory; wildlife adapted to seasonal changes (many migratory birds). Examples/locations: Indian monsoon forests, parts of Southeast Asia, parts of Central America. Human uses: Many are used for shifting agriculture, settlements, and plantations. Conservation issues include conversion to cropland and grazing.

6. Taiga (Boreal Forest) Climate: Long, very cold winters and short, mild summers. Moderate precipitation, often as snow. Vegetation: Dominated by coniferous trees (spruce, fir, pine), low plant diversity but vast stretches of forest. Fauna: Species adapted to cold — moose, reindeer (caribou), wolves, bears, many bird species. Examples/locations: Northern Canada, Alaska, large parts of Russia (Siberia), Scandinavia. Importance: Major global carbon reservoir (peat and boreal soils); sensitive to climate warming and fires.

7. Mangrove Forests (Coastal) Environment: Intertidal coastal zones in tropical & subtropical regions where salt-tolerant trees (mangroves) grow in saline or brackish water. Functions: Stabilize shorelines, reduce erosion, act as nursery grounds for fish and crustaceans, sequester carbon, protect coasts from storms. Examples/locations: Sundarbans (India/Bangladesh), Florida Everglades (USA), coastal SE Asia. Threats: Coastal development, shrimp farming, pollution, sea-level rise. Image source: Mangrove overview — click link below. Mangrove information (Wikipedia)

8. Temperate Forests Climate: Moderate temperatures with four seasons (cold winters and warm summers). Precipitation is spread across the year. Vegetation: Deciduous trees (oak, maple, beech) in many temperate forests; also temperate evergreen forests exist. Fauna: Deer, foxes, various bird species, insects, and rich understory flora. Examples/locations: Eastern North America, much of Europe, parts of East Asia. Human influence: Long history of agriculture and logging; many areas are fragmented but some are protected.

9. Grassland Ecosystems Grasslands are dominated by grasses with few trees. They occur in regions with seasonal rainfall and are often maintained by fire and grazing. Main types: Savanna (tropical grassland with scattered trees) and Temperate grasslands (prairies, steppes). Savanna (features): Warm climate, distinct wet & dry seasons, supports large herbivores (elephant, zebra, antelope) and predators (lions, cheetahs). Temperate grasslands: Rich soils, important for agriculture (wheat, maize); typical fauna include bison, prairie dogs, and many bird species. Threats: Conversion to farmland, overgrazing, invasive species. Savanna image / info (Britannica)

10. Desert Ecosystems Deserts receive very low precipitation (often <250 mm/year). They can be hot (Sahara, Thar) or cold (Gobi, parts of Ladakh). Adaptations: Plants (succulents like cacti, deep roots, small/rolled leaves), animals (nocturnal behavior, burrowing, water conservation). Examples/locations: Sahara (Africa), Arabian Desert, Gobi (Asia), Mojave & Sonoran (North America). Threats: Desertification (human-driven land degradation), unsustainable water extraction. Desert dunes image / info (Britannica)

11. Freshwater Ecosystems Types: Rivers & streams (lotic), Lakes & ponds (lentic), Wetlands (marshes, swamps, bogs). Importance: Provide drinking water, support fisheries, nutrient cycling, flood control. Species: Fish, amphibians, aquatic plants, invertebrates, waterbirds. Threats: Pollution (nutrients, plastics), habitat modification (dams), invasive species, over-extraction.

12. Marine Ecosystems — Coral Reefs (Example) Coral reefs are among the most biodiverse marine ecosystems — built by reef-building corals (symbiosis of coral animal and zooxanthellae algae). Features: High species diversity, complex three-dimensional structures, important fisheries, coastal protection. Threats: Coral bleaching (warming & ocean acidification), overfishing, pollution, destructive fishing practices. Examples/locations: Great Barrier Reef (Australia), Coral Triangle (Indonesia/Philippines), Caribbean reefs. Coral reef image / info (Aquarium of the Pacific)

13. Summary & Comparison Quick comparison: • Forests — high structural complexity, high biodiversity, important carbon sinks. • Grasslands — dominated by grasses; important for grazing & agriculture. • Deserts — low water, extreme conditions, specialized adaptations. • Freshwater — crucial for human use, dynamic flow-driven habitats. • Marine (coral reefs) — high marine biodiversity, sensitive to temperature and water quality. Conservation note: Protecting habitat connectivity, reducing pollution, sustainable resource use, and mitigating climate change are key across all ecosystems.

14. Image Sources & Credits Images/illustrations used in this presentation (links): • Tropical rainforest (Amazon aerial) — Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aerial_view_of_the_Amazon_Rainforest.jpg • Savanna (acacia / elephant) — Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/science/savanna • Desert sand dunes — Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/science/sand-dune • Coral reef — Aquarium of the Pacific: https://www.aquariumofpacific.org/exhibits/coralreefs Note: If you'd like me to embed the actual image files into the PPT (so they appear visually on each slide), you can either upload the images here or I can try to fetch public images and place them for you.