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Plant Ecosystem Article
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An Ecosystem is a functioning community of plant and animal life and their surrounding environment.
from:An ecosystem relates to the specific environment that contains a specific diversity of plant and animal life. The ecosystem must include the living and non living influences, from flora, fauna and fungi to the influences of their surroundings. Things such as humidity, elevation, salinity, and drainage will impact on the conditions of the living organisms right down to bacteria.
The study of an individual ecosystem will involve the interaction between all the species that inhabit the area, even if they only move through the area on a seasonal basis. The physiognomic-ecological classification system has been implemented to identify ecosystems in order to help protect them. The classification system takes into account all the living organisms and how they interact with the non living organisms and the overall environmental conditions the ecosystem exists within.
The living organisms in an ecosystem will include the larger animals, mammals, insects, plants, and fungi right through to the smallest bacteria and moulds. The environment and non living aspect of an ecosystem include the landscape, from the formation and types of rocks, soils, underlying water table, climate, elevation, exposure and location.
In the study of an ecosystem the number and condition of the living organisms will help in forming a classification for the type of ecosystem. The location of the landscape will also effect the ecosystems classification. There are many types of ecosystem. A desert landscape with its flora and fauna, the marine environment and the mountain landscape all are individual ecosystems. Human interaction will effect an ecosystem and must be taken into account in the protection of any fragile ecosystem.
As with any environmental factors effecting life on earth, studies of any given ecosystem will include the life cycle of the trees, grasses, fungi and moulds. Each living species within the ecosystem must be taken into account. To study an ecosystem the interaction between species and their environment and the unique conditions must be explored. Every ecosystem has a climate, culture, environmental impact and symbiotic relationship between living and non living organisms. It is this relationship and the number and diversity of the life forms involved that give an ecosystem its unique value in our world.
An ecosystem exists within its own parameters but outside influence can impact upon the species and landforms involved. Changing climate conditions, human encroachment, flood famine and fire can all alter a specific ecosystems balance and sustainability.
An ecosystem may vary from one side of a mountain to the other, from one part of a stream to another. Any change in soil type, drainage, salinity or even human encroachment can change the whole ecosystem. They are delicate and balanced in nature, and many will not stand the impact of change.
Plant Ecosystem Specific links
Plant Ecosystem News
Keep your pond's ecosystem properly balanced - The Free Lance-Star
 The Free Lance-Star | Keep your pond's ecosystem properly balanced The Free Lance-Star All healthy ponds contain insects, algae, aquatic plants and fish as part of a complex ecosystem. Aquatic plants take up and store plant nutrients, helping to reduce the incidence of algae blooms. Roots and leaves of aquatic plants help stabilize the ... |
US reaches pollution agreement at BP Indiana plant - Fox News
US reaches pollution agreement at BP Indiana plant Fox News Nicole Barker, executive director of the regional environmental group Save the Dunes, another partner to the agreement, said the pollution reductions will benefit residents of northwest Indiana and the Lake Michigan ecosystem. "The refinery sits in the ... |
Prince George's County volunteer opportunities - Washington Post
Prince George's County volunteer opportunities Washington Post The Accokeek Foundation will host a volunteer day from 1-4 pm July 19 at its ecosystem farm. Duties include tending fields, weeding, planting and harvesting produce. Volunteers are encouraged to bring work gloves, sunscreen, hats, snacks and water. |
Detroit Reforesters Transform Unused Lots Into Havens For Native Wildlife - Huffington Post
Detroit Reforesters Transform Unused Lots Into Havens For Native Wildlife Huffington Post Detroit Reforesters are hard at work planting during their action day on April 15. The group's mission is transform vacant lots into vibrant forest ecosystems. Some people look at an old lot filled with tires and junk and see tires and junk. |
Mangroves: A vanishing resource (1) - Vanguard
Mangroves: A vanishing resource (1) Vanguard Those are mangroves—a defining feature of tropical and sub-tropical coastlines around the world and one of the unsung heroes of the earth's ecosystem. The important role these unique woody plants play in helping to sustain other life-forms, ... |