Ecosystems
View allAll Photos Tagged ECOSYSTEMS
A rainforest is an area of tall, mostly evergreen trees and a high amount of rainfall. Rainforests are Earth’s oldest living ecosystems, with some surviving in their present form for at least 70 million years. They are incredibly diverse and complex, home to more than half of the world’s plant and animal species—even though they cover just 6% of Earth’s surface. This makes rainforests astoundingly dense with flora and fauna. Rainforests’ rich biodiversity is incredibly important to our well-being and the well-being of our planet.
Music:
"Repeat" by CHRIS COMBETTE, in 'Les Enfants de Gorée' (2010)
open.spotify.com/track/5ErThqPZNKTeyITR3fYNL9?si=hRygwwzP...
Le Guêpier d'Europe est une espèce d'oiseau appartenant à la famille des Meropidae. En raison de l'effet qu'il a sur l'environnement aride, certains auteurs le considèrent comme aménageur d'écosystème.
Erythrina Mulungu and its "customers"
July and August are months rich in beauty and color here.
Crossing the mountains that separate Rio de Janeiro from São Paulo, with a halfway detour to Minas Gerais, this is the time when the green is punctuated by many trees with red flowers, others in coral tones.
Erythrina mulungu, known by the common names of Murungu, Mulungu-coral, is an endemic tree in Brazil, found in several national ecosystem including the Amazon and Atlantic Forest.
The species is used as an ornamental tree in tropical and subtropical regions and as a medicinal plant in traditional South American medicine, especially in Brazil. The tree is 10 to 25 m tall, blooms from mid-August with the tree completely leafless, lasting until the end of September. Its flowers are much sought after by hummingbirds and other birds to suck their nectar.
The fruits ripen in October-November with the plant still without leaves, but they are not edible.
Studies show that the plant has sedative, anxiolytic and anticonvulsant properties.
In my hometown I saw specimens of this beautiful and exuberant flowering being attacked by flocks of Maritacas, and I ended up feeling a small shower of flowers on my head, as the clumsy creatures lose a lot of food on these wild visits to the trees where they feed on.
Maritaca is a popular term to refer to the various species of birds in the parrot family. Depending on the region, Maritaca is the name used for medium-sized birds, which are smaller than parrots.
In the first photo you can see the Psittacara leucophthalma (Periquitão Maracanã) which has an “oval” shaped head, general green coloration with the sides of the head and neck with some red feathers. The average size is 32cm. In juveniles, the red feathers on the head and under the wings are absent, being entirely green in color.
The species flyes in flocks of 5 to 40 individuals, sleeping collectively in different places.
Found from the east of the Andes, from Colombia and Venezuela to the north of Argentina and Uruguay, including part of the Amazon and almost all of Brazil.
In the second photo another species, the Brotogeris chiriri (Yellow-winged Parakeet or Star Parakeet).
It is found in Central and Eastern Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, Eastern Paraguay, Uruguay and Peru. In the national territory, it occurs from the South to the extreme of Pará, Ceará, Maranhão, Bahia, Minas Gerais, Pantanal, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.
Both species were feeding from the same tree when I took these photos.
A wetland is a land area that is saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, such that it takes on the characteristics of a distinct ecosystem. The primary factor that distinguishes wetlands from other land forms or water bodies is the characteristic vegetation of aquatic plants, adapted to the unique hydric soil. Wetlands play a number of roles in the environment, principally water purification, flood control, carbon sink and shoreline stability. Wetlands are also considered the most biologically diverse of all ecosystems, serving as home to a wide range of plant and animal life. Source Wikipedia.
A bridge, and many species of birds, trees, grasses and aquatic plants in, around, and over Creekfield Lake in Brazos Bend State Park, Needville, TX.
For the Remote theme of Flickr Friday.
“Urban Ecosystem Restoration” mural painted by Millo for Street Art For Mankind
From the Street Art For Mankind instagram post:
It features the artist’s signature clumsy character in a surreal setting, attempting to reclaim his space in an urban jungle that has forgotten our primary needs. It poetically and powerfully underscores the importance of green spaces in urban environments. The character demonstrates the strength of these spaces, their transformative impact on our reality, and how they enhance our well-being. It’s a clear invitation to reconnect with nature in our cities.
Picturesque framing of great egrets hunting in a rich intertidal ecosystem, algae-covered rocks and tide pools.
These birds are characterized by their entirely white plumage, long legs, long necks, and pointed beaks
They are typically found in shallow waters, including coastlines, marshes, and lagoons, where they wade to hunt for fish and other small aquatic animals.
Great egrets are known for their elegant and graceful landings, often described as smooth and deliberate, with their long legs and wings outstretched as they approach their landing spot
The calm, clear water of the sea stretches out to a distant horizon under a partly cloudy sky. Shot from Nabq National Park during low tide.
The Mycothera Gigantea Ecosystem is a remarkable and unique biosphere located on the alien planet Mycoterra (Planetis Mycoterra). This planet, situated in the Andromeda Galaxy, hosts an environment dominated by colossal fungal structures that form the primary vegetative landscape.
Ecosystem Overview:
The Mycothera Gigantea, named for its immense size, is the predominant species within this ecosystem. These fungal organisms can reach heights of up to 50 meters and diameters of 20 meters, creating a canopy that rivals the largest trees on Earth. The ecosystem is characterized by a dense mist that envelops the landscape, providing the necessary moisture for these fungi to thrive.
Planetary Conditions:
Mycoterra's atmosphere is rich in nitrogen and carbon dioxide, with trace amounts of oxygen, creating an environment ideal for fungal growth. The planet's gravity is slightly lower than Earth's, contributing to the towering height of the Mycothera Gigantea. Temperatures on Mycoterra average around 15°C (59°F), with high humidity levels maintained by frequent mist and light rain.
Fungal Structure:
The Mycothera Gigantea possesses a robust and intricate network of hyphae, which form a massive underground mycelium. This mycelial network connects individual fungi, facilitating nutrient exchange and communication across vast distances. The cap of the fungus, or the sporocarp, is supported by a thick stipe that can store water and nutrients, ensuring the organism's survival during drier periods.
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shot by KHWD near alice springs
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The area around Alice Springs Desert Park in the Australian Outback is a fascinating mix of arid landscapes and unique flora. Here are some of the types of trees you can find there:
Ghost Gum (Corymbia aparrerinja): Known for its stunning white bark, the Ghost Gum is an iconic tree in the Australian Outback.
Coolabah (Eucalyptus coolabah): This tree thrives near watercourses and is recognized for its resilience to drought conditions.
River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis): Often found along riverbanks and floodplains, these trees can grow to impressive heights.
Desert Oak (Allocasuarina decaisneana): With its tall, slender form, the Desert Oak is well-adapted to the arid environment.
These trees play a crucial role in the ecosystem, providing shelter and sustenance for a variety of wildlife.
Brittle stars, an alternate common name is the 'serpent stars', are a species-rich class of echinoderms with outstanding regenerative abilities. Living under rocks or in crevices with only the tips of the arms exposed, they are known to be seafloor ecosystem engineers. They reshape the seafloor sediment surface and influence the distribution of other seafloor species. They also provide nutrition to fish, sea stars and crab predators.
Their presence in a sediment sample is one indicator of a healthy benthic community. They embody nature's fragility and resilience.
Shot from the Three Pools shoreline during low tide.
Race Rocks Ecological Reserve is located 17 kilometres southwest of Victoria at the eastern end of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and is the most southerly part of Canada’s Pacific coast. One of its nine islets is the site of Race Rocks Light station, the second oldest lighthouse in Western Canada.
Named for its strong tidal currents and rocky reefs, Race Rocks is a showcase for Pacific marine life, featuring whales, sea lions, seals, birds and a dazzling array of underwater plants and animals. Cold, nutrient-rich waters from the depths of the Pacific Ocean are forced upwards to the surface in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Fast-moving water with eddies and whirlpools at Race Rocks supports an ecosystem very rich in marine mammals, fish, invertebrates and birds.
The world beneath our feet holds boundless secrets, and macro photography is the key to unlocking them. This intimate photographic style shrinks the viewer down to the scale of the subject, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. Here, a cluster of delicate, golden-capped toadstools emerges from a tapestry of vibrant green moss. The slight frost or dusting on the caps, coupled with the soft, diffused light, highlights the texture and subtle curves of each fungus. The shallow depth of field is essential in macro work, blurring the busy background into a painterly wash of browns and oranges, compelling the eye to focus solely on the fragile life at the center. It's a testament to the fact that the most compelling and detailed subjects often require us to pause, kneel down, and look closely at the miniature landscapes that thrive just out of our everyday focus. Macro photography challenges us to see the world not as it appears from a distance, but as a rich, detailed ecosystem demanding our attention and admiration.
Close-up of a black beetle perched on frost-covered grass in a natural outdoor setting during winter.
A micro ecosystem of mushrooms and lichens nestled in the bark of a red maple tree in Eagle River, Vilas County, northern Wisconsin
SE204200m
Pokhara, Nepal
Embracing the beauty of our planet's natural jewels! Mountains, home to 15% of the world's population and half of its biodiversity hotspots, face threats like climate change, overexploitation, and contamination.
These challenges impact us all — from melting glaciers affecting freshwater supplies to rural mountain communities facing food insecurity. On International Mountain Day 2023, let's unite to restore mountain ecosystems.
Did you know mountains contribute to our food diversity? Six crucial plant species, including maize and apples, originated in these majestic landscapes. Yet, pollution, even reaching the heights of Mt. Everest, poses a grave danger.
Let's reduce our carbon footprint, spread awareness, and advocate for nature-based solutions. Join the cause and safeguard our natural treasures! #RestoreMountains #InternationalMountainDay2023
The organisms in the riparian zone respond to changes in river channel location and patterns of flow. The ecosystem of rivers is generally described by the river continuum concept, which has some additions and refinements to allow for dams and waterfalls and temporary extensive flooding. The concept describes the river as a system in which the physical parameters, the availability of food particles and the composition of the ecosystem are continuously changing along its length. The food (energy) that remains from the upstream part is used downstream.
The general pattern is that the first order streams contain particulate matter (decaying leaves from the surrounding forests) which is processed there by shredders like Plecoptera larvae. The products of these shredders are used by collectors, such as Hydropsychidae, and further downstream algae that create the primary production become the main food source of the organisms. All changes are gradual and the distribution of each species can be described as a normal curve, with the highest density where the conditions are optimal. In rivers succession is virtually absent and the composition of the ecosystem stays fixed in time.
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