Examples of natural communities: sea, ocean, lake, swamp, field

Everything that forms the surrounding world, - natural communities, characteristic for those or other conditions, - is an integral system. Elements of this structure directly or indirectly interact with each other. What are the natural areas and communities? How do they differ from each other? How do natural communities of organisms interact? About this - later in the article.

Biogeocenosis

This definition was first introduced by Vladimir Sukachev, a Russian scientist and geobotanist. The concept of biogeocenosis (bios - "life", "earth" - ge, koinos - "common") is considered to be a system of a higher level than the biostructure "organism". This is primarily due to the fact that interaction within is not between bodies. Within the biogeocoenosis, relationships occur between different species of living organisms. Together they perform specific functions, ensure the integral existence of biogeocenosis.

Ecosystem

Different types of plants spread on the surface of the planet not evenly, but in accordance with local conditions. As a result, they form natural "groupings." The interaction of living organisms, the conditions of the abiotic zone, ensures the unity of the components of the community. This integrity is also called the ecosystem (ecological system). This concept, along with the definition of "biogeocenosis," appears as a description of the natural community. But these definitions are different characteristics of the system. So, the term "ecosystem", as a rule, is used in cases when the mutual relations of elements within the natural community are considered. "Biogeocenosis" is usually used to characterize a specific, specific natural system that occupies a given territory, and its interaction with other "groupings." Examples of natural communities are: field, continent, river and others.

Animals and plants

Considering examples of natural communities, one can not disregard the influence that animals exert in these structures. It is often believed that wild animals can freely choose their habitat, live as and where they want. But actually it is not. If we consider examples of natural communities, the composition of animal groups under certain conditions, then we can see not an accidental, but a definite set of species characteristic of a particular system. As a result, the specific relationships between plants and animals are clearly visible. In turn, representatives of flora and fauna interact with microorganisms, which are also within the boundaries of a single natural range. The natural communities of the seas and oceans differ in species diversity, the conditions in which their participants exist, from other ecosystems. But, despite this, the general principles of interaction are preserved regardless of the circumstances.

general information

Any natural community is a complex of different organisms. Within the same conditions, there are animals, plants, microorganisms. All of them affect each other and are adapted to certain conditions of existence in a particular territory. Within this "ecosystem" a cycle of various substances is formed and maintained. The scale of the ecological system can be different. The large communities include the natural communities of the seas and oceans. In this case, smaller ecosystems are included in the larger ones. So, the natural community of the swamp can enter the ecosystem of the taiga. In addition to natural systems, there are also artificial ones. They are created by man. Such examples of natural communities are ponds, aquariums, zoos and others.

Nutritional relationships within the ecosystem

Regardless of what the natural community (marsh, continent, pond and others) is considered, various interactions are taking place within it. The main relationship is food interaction. The main, the initial link, contributing to the formation of the energy reserve, which includes any natural natural community (seas, taiga and other), are plants. Only they, using the energy of the sun, are able from the mineral substances, carbon dioxide, present in water or in the soil, to form organic compounds. Plants are food for herbivorous vertebrates and invertebrates. They, in turn, are fed by predators - carnivores. So there are food links. The food chain looks, in general, as follows: plant-animals (herbivorous) -predators. In some cases, such a chain can be complicated by the addition of intermediate links. For example, the first predators can be food for the second, those in turn for the third and so on. So, the natural community can include caterpillars eating plants. These creatures, in turn, are food for any predatory insects, which are eaten by insectivorous birds that are prey to predatory birds. Considering different examples of natural communities, it can be seen that in the composition of any ecosystem there are beings whose food is waste: dead plants or their parts (leaves, branches), dead animals or their excrement. They include, in particular, earthworms, gravedigger beetles and others. However, the main role in the decomposition of organic substances belongs to bacteria and mold fungi. It is thanks to them that the organic substances change to mineral compounds, which can subsequently be used again by plants. So the cycle of substances is carried out.

Microclimate

Considering any natural community (ocean, continent), you can see, except food, and other connections. So, plants form a certain climate, microclimate. Different factors of the inanimate environment - humidity, temperature, air movement, illumination and others - under the vegetation cover will have significant differences from those in the same terrain. So, the natural community of the rain forest in the day differs high humidity. In the afternoon it is cooler and shady, at night, on the contrary, much warmer than in the open space. Or in a meadow, for example, the humidity and temperature of the earth's surface will be different from those observed on a bare surface. In addition, the vegetation cover prevents erosion - erosion and spraying of soil. The microclimate affects the livelihoods and species composition of animals that inhabit this area. Individuals choose for their habitat places in which not only there is the necessary food, but in general the climate, temperature, humidity and other conditions will be optimal.

The impact of animals on the state of the ecosystem

In the first place, many flower plant varieties are pollinated by insects, and in some cases by certain species and, if they are absent, the plants can not reproduce. The distribution of seeds in some representatives of the flora is also carried out by animals. In addition, the activity of some species of living creatures has a significant impact on the preservation of certain conditions in the ecosystem. So, for example, earthworms, which lead a burrowing way of life, contribute to the loosening of the soil, as a result of which air, water penetrate deeper and easier into it, and also the processes of decomposition of various organic remains occur faster.

Change of ecosystems with the result of species changes

Such processes can occur under the influence of abiotic, biotic factors, and also as a result of human activity. The change of natural communities due to the influence of the vital activity of different organisms continues for hundreds, thousands of years. The main role in all these processes belongs to plants. There are different examples of natural communities that have changed under the influence of external factors. The speed of change depends on different circumstances. You can consider the ecosystem "lake". The natural community - in this case a reservoir - gradually begins to decrease and become scarcer. With time, silt appears on the bottom. Its layer begins to increase: the remains of coastal and aquatic animals and plants are accumulated, washed away from the slopes of the soil particles. In the course of how the pond melts, reeds and reeds begin to grow along the banks, and then sedge. So the lake - a natural community of one type - is modified and becomes a qualitatively different ecosystem. The accumulation of organic residues occurs faster, forming peat deposits. Some species of plants and animals are replaced by others, more adapted to life in new conditions. As a result, a new natural community is formed - the swamp. However, it should be said that changes in the ecosystem continue. As a result, quite unpretentious trees and shrubs can appear. And gradually on the place of the pond there will already be a forest.

Change of ecosystems due to human activities

Above were examples of natural communities that have changed in natural conditions due to species substitution. It should be noted that the appearance of new plants, animals, microorganisms, fungi and the formation of new conditions is a long process, and can last tens, hundreds, and even thousands of years. But the change of ecosystems under the influence of human activity occurs much faster. In some cases, even a few years may be enough to replace another ecosystem. So, if in the same lake - a natural community with a certain species composition of plants and living beings - begin to discharge sewage, household waste, fertilizers from fields, oxygen present in the water, begins to be spent for oxidation. As a result, the species inhabiting this ecosystem begin to lose oxygen and other nutrient compounds. This provokes the death of many plants and living beings. As a result, the species diversity is significantly reduced. Some plants start replacing others, the water begins to "bloom". In place of commercial fish come "low value" species, many insects, mollusks, microorganisms disappear. As a consequence, a once rich ecosystem turns into a decaying pond.

Restoration of the ecological system

If the influence of a person stops at a certain stage (when the state is still not completely neglected), then within the natural community the process of self-healing begins. And in it the main role is again assigned to plants. So, for example, on pastures after the grazing of cattle begin to appear tall grasses. In the lake, a natural purification process begins from the spread of unicellular algae, blue-green, as a result of which again begin to appear crustaceans, mollusks, fish. In the case if the trophic and species structure is too simplified and the process of self-healing is simply impossible, the person again has to interfere with the ecosystem. But in this case, its activities are not aimed at destruction. For example, grasses are planted in pastures, trees are planted in the forest. Ponds clean, then run in them young fish. Thus, it can be concluded that the restoration of the natural community is possible only with partial violations. In this regard, human activity should not exceed the threshold, after which self-regulation processes are impossible.

Influence of abiotic factors

The development and change of natural communities occur under the influence of a sharp change in climatic conditions, fluctuations in solar activity, volcanic eruptions, and mountain-building processes. These and other factors of inanimate nature are called abiotic. They provoke disturbances in the stability of the habitat of living organisms. It should be said that ecosystems have non-limited ability to recover. And if the external influence is above a certain limit, then the natural community will be destroyed. The area where the changes will occur will act as a source of ecological imbalance. And even if it is possible to restore the ecosystem, then it can do much more than modern conservation measures.

Factors responsible for the ability to self-regulate ecosystems

Self-restoration of natural communities is possible due to the natural diversity of living beings that have adapted to each other as a result of a long-term cooperative evolution. In the event of a decrease in the number of any species, the ecological niche released by it occupies a similar appearance for a time, preventing the development of any other destabilizing processes. But another situation occurs if a link completely falls out of the chain. In this case, "mutual insurance" of species may not work, part of the resources ceases to be used - there is an ecological imbalance. During the subsequent depletion of the existing species composition, conditions are created for excessive accumulation of organic compounds, the settlement of alien species, a sharp increase in the number of insects and other. As a rule, rare species begin to disappear first. Their scarcity is conditioned by the exactingness to the conditions of the environment and the sensitivity to changes. In a stable natural community, such categories should be present among other groups of organisms. Their presence in the chain is an indicator of the conservation of natural biodiversity in general, the ecological usefulness of the entire system.

Cycle of substances

This process is provided by species that occupy different trophic levels:

1. Producing organic substances from inorganic substances - producers. First of all, these are green plants.
2. Consuming phytomass consumers of the first order. They include invertebrates and vertebrate herbivorous living things.
3. Consuming consumers of the first order, consumers of the second and higher orders. They include, in particular, predatory fish, spiders, insects, reptiles, amphibians, insectivorous, mammals, carnivorous birds.
4. Decomposing dead organic elements are decomposers. They are mainly referred to as soil organisms.

Studies of full-fledged natural communities show that rare species are present at every trophic level. The highest indicator of ecosystem stability is the presence of viable populations of consumers of higher order. These species are located at the very top of the trophic structure, and their condition largely depends on the state of the entire system as a whole. One of the most important characteristics for a species is the size of the territory, which is minimally necessary for the existence and development of a viable population.