Habitat Definition – Ecology
Habitat diversity explores the variations in ecosystems within a specific geographic area. In general, the variety of distinct habitats found in an ecosystem or biome is referred to as habitat diversity. The term biodiversity refers to the full range of living systems, including genetic diversity, habitat diversity and species diversity.
A range of forests, deserts, grasslands, oceans, lakes, coral reefs, wetlands, tundra and other biological communities make up habitat diversity (niches per unit area). Different habitats house different varieties of organisms. The conservation of species and genetic variety typically follows the preservation of habitat diversity.
Some examples of diverse habitats include:
- Deserts – They are dry landscapes with minimal precipitation and thus make the living circumstances unfriendly for both plant and animal life. Both extreme hot and cold climates are possible here.
- Forest – Tall trees dominate the vast plant community here. Based on geographical locations, they can be tropical, subtropical, temperate and boreal forests.
- Grasslands – The ecosystems of grasslands receive more rain than those of deserts but less than those of forests. Grass plants, which require less water than plants in forests, make up the majority of the flora here.
- Marine ecosystem – Aquatic environments with high levels of dissolved salt make up marine ecosystems. These comprise the deep ocean, the open ocean and the coastal marine ecosystems, each of which has unique biological and physical properties.
- Tundra – They are found in the Arctic and on mountain peaks and they are characterised by a lack of trees, low rainfall and harsh climate. Snow covers tundra terrain for a large portion of the year.
- Coral reefs – Corals that build reefs define the underwater ecosystem known as coral reef. Reefs are constructed by coral polyp colonies that are interconnected by calcium carbonate.
- Wetlands – A wetland is a specific habitat that experiences seasonal or persistent flooding of water for weeks or months. Ecosystems in wetlands are defined by special plants called hydrophytes that are well supported in the hydric soil.
Habitat Ecology
It deals with the investigation of various biosphere habitats. Habitat ecology is separated into three categories – freshwater ecology, terrestrial ecology, and marine ecology. According to the type of research done on its many biomes, the terrestrial ecology is also further split into forest ecology, farmland ecology, grassland ecology, etc.
Explore more such key concepts with regards to NEET Biology, only at BYJU’S.
Do Check:
Comments