Ecosystem Fun

An ecosystem is a community that interacts with its physical environment. This includes both biotic and abiotic factors.

Some examples of ecosystems include:

• Estuary: Found where a river meets the ocean, resulting in brackish water and a high biodiversity. Producers are submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) and plankton. Animals consists of several species of fish, crabs, and invertebrates such as polychaetes and flatworms. Some birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals inhabit the surrounding land areas.
  
• Coral reef: A highly productive ecosystem. Producers include phytoplankton and algae. Other organisms that can be found in a coral reef are sea anemones, sponges, clownfish, butterfly fish, flatworms, sea stars, sea urchins, shrimps, crabs, lobsters, sharks, rays, among many others.
  
• Desert: Have low precipitation. Low vegetation consisting mostly of deep-rooted shrubs. Animals are nocturnal and have adapted to the heat and scarce water availability.
  
• Rainforest: Abundant rainfall allows the growth of broadleaf trees. There are also herbaceous plants and shrubs. There is great biodiversity, serving as a habitat for a great variety of mammals, reptiles, birds, and insects. Some animals include the jaguar, chimpanzees, butterflies, lizards, macaws and boas.
  
• Grassland: The vegetation consists of a variety of grasses with a resistance to drought and animals are herbivores and some predators that feed on them.