Agrosystem natural and artificial, differences from the ecosystem, features

The ecological system is a very broad concept. It includes all living organisms and their environment. Between themselves, they create clear relationships for a full life. The ecosystem exists due to balance, in which each structure does its job and helps to support the functioning of other structures. There are a large number of types of ecosystems, but one of the important roles for human life is played by the agroecosystem. The second name of this concept is agrocenosis.

Content

The essence of the agroecosystem
Types of agroecosystems
Features of agroecosystems

The essence of the agroecosystem

The agroecosystem is specially created by human hands to obtain the necessary agricultural products in large-scale and domestic volumes. The agroecosystem includes agricultural crops and fungi, as well as cattle and poultry farming. Examples of agroecosystems are:

country gardens;

vineyards;

orchards with fruit trees and shrubs;

fields with cultivated plants;

areas with ornamental plants.

Compared to urban ecosystems, agroecosystems have a simple process of formation. Simply put, if you clear a piece of land from weeds and unnecessary vegetation, loosen it and plant the desired seeds, a new artificial ecosystem is created. However, even the smallest one, it has a complex set of environmental relationships that are realized as a result of production activities.

Agrosystem natural and artificial, differences from the ecosystem, features

Types of agroecosystems

There is no generally accepted classification of agroecosystems; they are usually divided according to the types of farming structures:

pasture agroecosystems (hayfields and meadows);

plantation agrocenoses (tea and coffee plantations);

agricultural or field agroecosystems (vegetables, fruits, melons);

garden agrocenoses (gardens of apple and pear trees);

mixed agroecosystems.

In addition, agroecosystems are divided into types depending on natural zones and climatic conditions:

tropical type. Such an agroecosystem belongs to the tropics, where the weather is predominantly dry with minor seasonal temperature fluctuations. Plantations of this type grow pineapples, coffee and bananas.
subtropical type. A distinctive feature of such an agroecosystem is a tropical summer and a non-tropical winter. The average annual temperature is 14⁰C, which is suitable for tea and grapes.
moderate type. Agrosystems of this type are adapted to sudden changes in temperature and atmospheric pressure, crops are grown in the features of four seasons, therefore they have only one growing season (summer).
polar type. A very limited type of agroecosystem, as it is subject to long negative temperatures. Suitable for barley and early potatoes.
arctic type. Agroecosystems in this type of climate are impossible due to low temperatures and prolonged cold spells.

Features of agroecosystems

Distinctive features of the agroecomistem from natural ecosystems are:

uniformity of species of cultivated plants;

unlike natural ecosystems, in artificial ones there is no natural selection, a person deliberately creates conditions for the most favorable life of plants;

for natural ecosystems, the Sun serves as the main source of energy; for agroecosystems, irrigation, fungal and disease control, and fertilization of cultivated soil are additionally introduced;

since a person creates an agrocenosis directly for crops, they are highly dependent on the additional introduction of mineral and organic fertilizers.

The benefits of agroecosystems for humans are undeniable. Due to the increase in population, such an ecological system allows us to meet human needs. People, through their own efforts, in a short period of time create such agro-ecosystems that nature would take much longer to form.