User:SAYA NABILA/"Ecosystems Material in English"

Ecosystem is an ecological system formed by an inseparable reciprocal relationship between living things and their environment. Ecosystem can also be said to be a complete and comprehensive unitary order between all environmental elements that influence each other.

Ecosystem is an amalgamation of each biosystem unit which involves reciprocal interactions between organisms and the physical environment so that energy flows to a certain biotic structure and a material cycle occurs between organisms and inorganisms. The sun is the source of all existing energy.

In an ecosystem, the organisms in the community develop together with the physical environment as a system. Organisms will adapt to the physical environment, on the contrary organisms also affect the physical environment for the purposes of life. This definition is based on the Gaia Hypothesis, namely: "organisms, especially microorganisms, together with the physical environment produce a control system that keeps the conditions on earth suitable for life". This leads to the fact that the chemical content of the atmosphere and earth is very controlled and very different from other planets in the solar system.

The presence, abundance and distribution of a species in an ecosystem is determined by the level of resource availability as well as the chemical and physical conditions that must be within the range that the species can tolerate, this is what is called the law of tolerance. For example: Panda has a wide tolerance for temperature, but has a narrow tolerance for food, namely bamboo. Thus, pandas can live in an ecosystem in any condition as long as there is bamboo in the ecosystem as a source of food. Unlike other living things, humans can widen their tolerance range because of their ability to think, develop technology and manipulate nature.

Forming components
Ecosystems are formed from environmental elements which have two roles, namely autotrophic and heterotrophic. Autotrophic is the role of environmental elements as independent food providers with the help of solar energy. Whereas heterotrophic is the role of environmental elements as beneficiaries of the presence of food. The food produced can be in the form of organic or inorganic materials. Environmental elements that form ecosystems are abiotic, biotic, producers, consumers, and decomposers.

Abiotic
Abiotic or inanimate components are physical and chemical components which are the medium or substrate in which life takes place, or the environment in which life takes place. Most of the abiotic components vary in space and time. Abiotic components can be in the form of organic materials, inorganic compounds, and factors that affect the distribution of organisms, namely:


 * 1) Temperature. Biological processes are influenced by temperature. Mammals and birds need energy to regulate the temperature in their bodies.
 * 2) Water. The availability of water affects the distribution of organisms. Organisms in the desert adapt to the availability of water in the desert.
 * 3) Salt. Salt concentration influence water balance in organism through osmosis. Some terrestrial organisms are adapted to environments with high salt content.
 * 4) Sunlight. The intensity and quality of light affects the process of photosynthesis. Water can absorb light so that in the water environment, photosynthesis occurs in the vicinity of a surface that is reached by sunlight. In deserts, the great intensity of light causes an increase in temperature, depressing animals and plants.
 * 5) Soil and rock. Several soil characteristics including physical structure, pH, and mineral composition limit the spread of organisms based on the content of their food sources in the soil.
 * 6) Climate. Climate is a weather condition over a long period of time in an area. Climate macro includes global climate, regional and local. Micro climate includes the climate in an area inhabited by certain communities.

Biotic
Biotic is a term that is usually used to refer to something that is living (organisms). The biotic component is a component that makes up an ecosystem other than the abiotic component (inanimate). Based on their roles and functions, living things can be divided into two types, namely:

Heterotrophs / Consumers
Heterotrophic components consist of organisms that utilize organic materials provided by other organisms as food. Heterotrophic components are also called macro consumers (phagotrophs) because the food eaten is smaller. Heterotrophs include humans, animals, fungi, and microbes.

Decomposers
Decomposers or decomposers are organisms that break down organic material derived from dead organisms. Decomposers are also called macro consumers (sapotrophs) because the food they eat is larger. The decomposing organisms absorb some of the decomposition product and release simple materials which can be reused by the producer. Classified as decomposers are bacteria and fungi. There are also decomposers called detritivores, namely decomposing animals that eat the remains of organic matter, for example, wood lice. There are three types of decomposition, namely:


 * 1) aerobic: oxygen is an electron / oxidant acceptor
 * 2) anaerobic: oxygen is not involved. Organic material as an electron acceptor / oxidant
 * 3) fermentation: anaerobic but oxidized organic material is also an electron acceptor. these components are in a place and interact to form an orderly ecosystem unit. For example, in an aquarium ecosystem, this ecosystem consists of fish as a heterotrophic component, aquatic plants as an autotrophic component, plankton floating in water as a decomposing component, while the abiotic components are water, sand, rock, minerals and oxygen dissolved in water..

Dependency
Dependence on the ecosystem can occur between biotic components or between biotic and abiotic components. The dependence between biotic and abiotic components occurs through the biogeochemical cycle which functions to prevent a form of matter from accumulating in a place.

Between biotic components
Dependence between biotic components can occur through:


 * 1) Food chain, namely the transfer of matter and energy through the process of eating and being eaten in a certain order. Each level of the food chain is called a trophy level or trophy level. Because the first organisms capable of producing food substances were plants, the first trophy level was always occupied by green plants as producers. The next level is the second trophy level, consisting of plant-eating animals which are commonly called primary consumers. Primary consumer eating animals is the third trophy level, consisting of carnivorous animals. Every time energy is exchanged from one trophy level to another, some energy will be lost.
 * 2) Food webs, namely food chains that are interconnected with each other in such a way that they form like webs. Food webs occur because each type of living thing does not eat only one other type of living thing.

Between biotic and abiotic components
The dependence between biotic and abiotic components can occur through the material cycle, such as:


 * 1) carbon cycle
 * 2) water cycle
 * 3) nitrogen cycle
 * 4) sulfur cycle

This cycle serves to prevent a form of matter from accumulating in one place. Man-made has made a system that was originally cyclic to non-cyclic, humans tend to disturb the balance of the environment.

Ecosystem Types
In general, there are three types of ecosystems, namely water ecosystems, terrestrial ecosystems, and artificial ecosystems.

Aquatic (water)



 * Freshwater ecosystem.

The characteristics of freshwater ecosystems include inconspicuous temperature variations, low light penetration, and being affected by climate and weather. Most types of plants are types of algae, while others are seed plants. Almost all animal phyla are present in fresh water. Organisms that live in fresh water are generally adapted.


 * Seawater ecosystem.

The marine habitat (oceanic) is characterized by high salinity (salt content) with CI ions reaching 55%, especially in tropical marine areas, due to high temperatures and large evaporation. In the tropics, the sea temperature is around 25 ° C. The temperature difference between the top and bottom is high, so there is a boundary between the hot water layer at the top and the cold water at the bottom which is called the thermocline area.


 * Estuary ecosystem.

Estuary (estuary) is the place where the river meets the sea. Estuaries are often lined by large slabs of intertidal mud or salt marshes. The estuary ecosystem has high productivity and is rich in nutrients. Plant communities that live in estuaries include salt marsh grass, algae, and phytoplankton. Animal communities include various worms, shellfish, crabs, and fish.


 * Coastal ecosystem.

It is so named because what grows mostly on the sand dune is the Ipomoea pes caprae plant which is resistant to waves and winds. Plants that live in this ecosystem are creeping and have thick leaves.


 * River ecosystem.

A river is a body of water that flows in one direction. The river water is cold and clear and contains very little sediment and food. The flow of water and waves constantly provide oxygen to the water. The water temperature varies with altitude and latitude. The river ecosystem is inhabited by animals such as cat fish, carp, turtles, snakes, crocodiles, and dolphins.


 * Coral reef ecosystem.

This ecosystem consists of corals near the coast. The efficiency of this ecosystem is very high. The animals that live on corals feed on microscopic organisms and other organic waste. Various invertebrates, micro-organisms, and fish, live among corals and algae. Herbivores such as snails, sea urchins, fish, become prey for octopuses, starfish and carnivorous fish. The presence of coral reefs near the coast makes the beach has white sand.


 * Deep sea ecosystem.

Depth is more than 6,000 m. Usually there are sea catfish and sea fish that can give off light. As producers there are bacteria that are in symbiosis with certain corals.


 * Seagrass ecosystem.

Seagrass or seagrass is the only group of flowering plants that live in the marine environment. These plants live in shallow coastal habitats. Like grass on land, they have erect leafy shoots and creeping stalks that are effective for reproducing. Unlike other marine plants (algae and seaweed), seagrass flowers, bears fruit and produces seeds. They also have roots and internal systems for transporting gases and nutrients. As a biological resource, seagrass is widely used for various purposes.

Terrestrial (land)
Zoning in a terrestrial ecosystem is determined by temperature and rainfall. Terrestrial ecosystems can be controlled by climate and disturbance. Climate is very important to determine why a terrestrial ecosystem exists in a particular place. Ecosystem patterns can change due to disturbances such as lightning, fire, or human activities.


 * Tropical rain forest.

Tropical rain forests are found in tropical and subtropical areas. The characteristic is rainfall of 200–225 cm per year. There are relatively many species of trees, the types differ from one another depending on their geographic location. The main tree is between 20–40 m high, the branches of the trees are tall and have dense leaves to form a canopy. In a wet forest there is a change in the microclimate, which is the climate directly around the organisms. The area of ​​the hood gets enough sunlight, variations in temperature and high humidity, temperatures all day around 25 ° C. In tropical rainforests there are often typical plants, namely lianas (rattan) and orchids as epiphytes. The animals include monkeys, birds, rhinos, wild boar, tigers and owls.


 * Savanna.

The savanna of the tropics is found in areas with rainfall of 40 - 60 inches per year, but temperature and humidity still depend on the season. The largest savanna in the world is found in Africa; however in Australia there are also large savanna. Animals that live in the savanna include insects and mammals such as zebras, lions and hyenas.


 * Meadow.

Grasslands are found in areas stretching from tropical to subtropical areas. The characteristics of grasslands are rainfall of approximately 25-30 cm per year, irregular rainfall, high porosity (water infiltration), and rapid drainage. The existing plants consist of herbs and grass, both of which depend on humidity. The animals include: bison, zebra, lion, wild dog, wolf, elephant, giraffe, kangaroo, insect, rat and snake.


 * Desert.

Deserts are found in tropical areas bordering grasslands. The characteristics of the desert ecosystem are arid and low rainfall (25 cm / year). The difference in temperature between day and night is huge. The seasonal plants found in the desert are small. In addition, in the desert, you can find perennial, leafy plants such as thorns, for example cacti, or leafless and have long roots and have a network to store water. Animals that live in the desert include rodents, ants, snakes, lizards, frogs, scorpions, and several other nocturnal animals.


 * Deciduous forest.

Deciduous forests are found in temperate areas that have four seasons, the characteristic of which is evenly distributed rainfall throughout the year. Few tree species (10 to 20) and not too dense. Animals found in deciduous forests include deer, bears, foxes, squirrels, woodpeckers, and raccoons (fellow badgers).


 * Taiga.

Taiga is found in the northern hemisphere and in the mountains of the tropics, characterized by low winter temperatures. Usually taiga is a forest composed of one species such as conifers, pines, and the like. There are very few shrubs and vegetation, while the animals include moose, black bears, ajag, and birds which migrate south in autumn.


 * Tundra.

The tundra is located in the northern hemisphere within the arctic circle and is found on the peaks of high mountains. The growth of this plant in this area just 60 days. Examples of dominant plants are sphagnum, lichen, seasonal seed plants, herbaceous plants, and reeds. In general, the plants are able to adapt to cold conditions.


 * Karst (limestone / cave).

Karst derives from the name of the limestone area in the Yugoslavia region. Karst areas in Indonesia have almost the same characteristics, namely, the soil is less fertile for agriculture, sensitive to erosion, prone to landslides, is susceptible to low aeration pores, slow permeability forces and is dominated by micro pores. . The karst ecosystem has its own uniqueness, with a variety of biotic aspects that are not found in other ecosystems.

Artificial
Artificial ecosystems are ecosystems created by humans to meet their needs. Artificial ecosystems get energy subsidies from outside, plants or pets are dominated by human influence, and have low diversity. Examples of artificial ecosystems are:


 * dam
 * production plantations such as teak and pine
 * agroecosystem in the form of rainfed rice fields
 * irrigated rice fields
 * Palm plantations
 * residential ecosystems such as cities and villages
 * space ecosystem.

City ecosystems have a high metabolism so they need a lot of energy. Material requirements are also high and depend on the outside, and have excessive expenditures such as pollution and heat.

The space ecosystem is not a closed system that can fulfill its own needs without depending on external input. All ecosystems and life always depend on the earth.