Terrestrial ecosystems

Definition

Terrestrial ecosystems are communities of living organisms and their interactions with the physical environment on land. They include a variety of habitats, such as forests, grasslands, deserts, and tundras, each characterized by distinct climate conditions, soil types, and plant and animal species. Understanding these ecosystems is crucial because they play a significant role in global biogeochemical cycles and support biodiversity.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Terrestrial ecosystems can be classified into major biomes based on factors like climate, soil type, and dominant vegetation.
2. These ecosystems contribute to the global carbon cycle, with forests acting as significant carbon sinks that help mitigate climate change.
3. Human activities, such as deforestation and urbanization, have a profound impact on terrestrial ecosystems, leading to habitat loss and decreased biodiversity.
4. Terrestrial ecosystems support a vast array of species interactions, from predator-prey relationships to mutualistic partnerships between plants and pollinators.
5. Restoration efforts in degraded terrestrial ecosystems aim to restore ecological balance and enhance the resilience of these environments.

Review Questions

• How do terrestrial ecosystems differ from aquatic ecosystems in terms of structure and function?
  • Terrestrial ecosystems differ from aquatic ecosystems primarily in their physical environments, including soil composition, water availability, and temperature ranges. While terrestrial systems rely heavily on sunlight for energy through photosynthesis, aquatic systems utilize light penetration through water. The structure of terrestrial ecosystems also involves different community dynamics, such as the interactions among plants and animals adapted to land compared to those in water. Understanding these differences helps to appreciate the unique roles each ecosystem plays in supporting life.
• Evaluate the impact of climate change on terrestrial ecosystems and their associated biomes.
  • Climate change significantly affects terrestrial ecosystems by altering temperature and precipitation patterns, leading to shifts in biome distribution and species composition. As temperatures rise, many ecosystems may experience stress, resulting in changes such as droughts in grasslands or shifts in tree line elevation in mountainous areas. These changes can disrupt existing food webs and lead to biodiversity loss. Additionally, increased frequency of extreme weather events can further threaten ecosystem stability and resilience.
• Synthesize information about how restoration ecology can benefit terrestrial ecosystems facing degradation due to human activity.
  • Restoration ecology focuses on reviving degraded terrestrial ecosystems through practices that promote natural processes and biodiversity recovery. This field combines principles from ecology, environmental science, and conservation biology to create effective restoration strategies. By implementing actions like reforestation, wetland restoration, or invasive species management, restoration projects can improve ecosystem functions such as nutrient cycling and habitat provision. Successful restoration enhances resilience against future disturbances while also benefiting surrounding communities by restoring ecosystem services essential for human well-being.

Related terms

Biomes: Large geographic areas characterized by specific climate conditions and plant and animal communities, such as tropical rainforests or deserts.

Primary Productivity: The rate at which plants and other photosynthetic organisms produce organic compounds in an ecosystem, serving as the foundation for food webs.

Succession: The process by which ecosystems change and develop over time, often following disturbances that alter the community structure.