Forest ecosystem types characteristics structure and function
Answers
A forest ecosystem is a natural woodland unit consisting of all plants, animals and micro-organisms (Biotic components) in that area functioning together with all of the non-living physical (abiotic) factors of the environment. The forest ecosystem is very important.
There are three major types of forests, classed according to latitude: Tropical. Temperate. Boreal forests (taiga)
The soil is a feature of a forest ecosystem that is affected by the changes in climate, geology, amount of rainfall and vegetation. The soil of temperate forests is more fertile because trees' leaves drop to the ground every fall.
An ecosystem, therefore includes all of the living things (plants, animals and organisms) in a given area, interacting with each other, and also with their non-living environments (weather, earth, sun, soil, climate, atmosphere). A pond, lake, desert, grassland, meadow, forest etc. are common examples of ecosystem.
The benefits provided by forest ecosystems include: goods such as timber, food, fuel and bioproducts. ecological functions such as carbon storage, nutrient cycling, water and air purification, and maintenance of wildlife habitat