How many different kinds of ecological systems are there on Earth?

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   stuff4kidsposted 11 years ago

   How many different kinds of ecological systems are there on Earth?
   
   Most folks are aware of forest and deserts and grasslands but I was wondering just how many different kinds of ecological systems scientists have identified in total?
   
   

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2. 59

   iAccuraposted 11 years ago

   There are many eco systems on land and many within the oceans. There are eco systems that thrive wihin an eco system. Some are even on our own bodies. There are bacteria that thirve on the inside of our elbow for instance. Two dozen known bacteria that help the softness of our on skin. So to answer your question of how many ecological systems that have been identified so far would be in the 1,000's unless you ask your question in a better way as defining as to the type of ecological systems within a tropical forest area or a river bottom on the Amazon river 100 miles inland from the sea.

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   1. 61

      stuff4kidsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks iAccura, that's fascinating.
      
      So how is an ecosystem defined, then - and what are its boundaries?

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3. 59

   Anil Lyallposted 11 years ago

   A beautiful, natural enquiry 4grownups and 4kids.
   An ecosystem is an identifiable universe of life / organisms, their inter-dependence, and relationship with the environment, on earth or in space.  The biological diversity is infinite in the realm of light, air, temperature, moisture and nutrients from soil, etc. which are so highly variable geographically.  An ecosystem boundary is defined by man's own continually improving, yet incomplete, understanding of the many variants - it is an immense finite continuum otherwise. Earth is the only home for us and our children.
   A Google search brings out a treasure of information and images.  Certainly, a great topic for undertaking local and regional ecological nurturing and human sustenance in harmony with nature; Let us refrain from the word 'resource management' which often implies unmindful exploitation and modifications that are detrimental to life over time.

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