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Land Ecosystem Article
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A Terrestrial Ecosystem is a functioning community of plant and animal life that exists away from an aquatic environment.
from:A terrestrial ecosystem relates to the specific environment that contains a specific diversity of plant and animal life. The terrestrial ecosystem includes the living and non living influences, from flora, fauna and fungi to the influences of their surroundings. Without being immersed in water, the terrestrial ecosystem is concerned with the way in which species of plants and animals and insects survive away from the water. Things such as humidity, elevation, salinity, and drainage will impact on the conditions of the living organisms right down to bacteria.
The terrestrial 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 and whether it is an aquatic ecosystem or a terrestrial ecosystem.
The living organisms in any terrestrial 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 the terrestrial ecosystem include the landscape, from the formation and types of rocks, soils, underlying water table, climate, elevation, exposure and location.
In the study of a terrestrial 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 terrestrial ecosystems classification. There are many types of terrestrial ecosystem. A desert landscape with its flora and fauna, the grassland and the mountain landscape all are individual terrestrial ecosystems. Human interaction affects many terrestrial ecosystems and must be taken into account in the protection of the environment.
As with any environmental factors effecting life on earth, studies of any given terrestrial ecosystem will include the life cycle of the trees, grasses, fungi and moulds. Each living species within the terrestrial ecosystem must be taken into account. To study a terrestrial ecosystem the interaction between species and their environment and the unique conditions must be explored. Every terrestrial 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.
A terrestrial ecosystem exists within its own parameters but outside influence can impact upon the species and landforms involved. A terrestrial 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.
Land Ecosystem Specific links
Land Ecosystem News
Protection for a rare bog
Sixteen acres of land that was conserved at this month’s Town Meeting not only will protect an historic cart path but also will create a buffer between the rest of the town and Black Pond Bog, which not only is a quaking bog but also contains carnivorous plants.
Read more...Legislature passes coastal master plan
A $50 billion, 50-year proposal aimed at stopping coastal land loss in Louisiana has passed the state Legislature.
Read more...The western frontier
American media may cluster in the east, but the west is still the land of pioneers, even in the domains of multimedia and long-form science journalism.
Read more...Loss of biodiversity will affect ecosystem
Biodiversity loss — the dwindling variation of life forms — could influence ecosystem change more than previously thought, according to a study published May 2 by a team of scientists, including Western biology professor David Hooper.
Read more...Fire restrictions imposed on federal land in California
NEEDLES - As of May 15 the Bureau of Land Management has imposed fire restrictions on public lands in the California desert, including requiring permits for campfires and barbecues.
Read more...