Ecosystems: terms and definitions

Carnivore

A carnivore is an animal that feeds on the meat of other animals, either by hunting and killing other animals or by scavenging on the carcasses left by others.

There are more than 270 different carnivorous animal species, including lions, wolves, sharks, and birds of prey. Some carnivorous plants, like the Venus flytrap, also exist.

These predators play an important role in ecosystems. They help regulate populations of prey species and prevent vegetation from being over-grazed.

Coniferous forest

Coniferous forests are mainly made up of coniferous trees that grow needles instead of leaves and cones instead of flowers. These trees are evergreen, meaning they don't lose their leaves over winter, and they include trees like pine, fir, cedar, spruce, and redwood.

Coniferous forests tend to be found in areas with long winters or relatively high rainfall. The northern boreal forest, which circles the North Pole, is a type of coniferous forest. However, temperate coniferous forests exist throughout the world, and there are also a few pockets of tropical coniferous forests.

Deciduous forest

Unlike conifers, deciduous trees lose their leaves every autumn and grow new ones each spring. Deciduous forests include trees like oak, beech, birch, elm, and maple. They're found in three main regions-eastern North America, western Eurasia, and northeastern Asia. These areas have a temperate climate, a winter season, and year-round rainfall.

Detritivore

Detritivores, also known as decomposers, are organisms that feed on dead and decaying organic matter, such as fallen leaves, animal carcasses, and animal droppings. Earthworms, bacteria, and fungi are examples of detritivores.

These creatures play a vital role in ecosystems. Without them, the dead and decaying matter would just pile up. In addition to cleaning up, detritivores help recycle resources. They break complex organic materials down into more basic substances that help plants grow, like water, oxygen, calcium, and nitrogen.

Desert

Deserts are arid ecosystems that cover one-fifth of the Earth's surface. These habitats get very little rainfall and experience extreme temperatures.

Some deserts, like the Sahara, are incredibly hot, with daytime temperatures reaching 54 degrees Celsius (130 degrees Fahrenheit). There are also cold deserts. Antarctica is the largest and coldest desert on Earth, with temperatures as low as -89 degrees Celsius (-128.2 degrees Fahrenheit).

Despite these harsh conditions, various animals and plants have adapted to live in desert environments. Camels, reptiles, succulents, and cacti are just a few examples. Desert-dwelling organisms have developed ways to store water or to lose heat more efficiently.

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