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Indian Shores, Florida on left, mangroves on right. The ecology of Florida considers the state's two Level I and three Level II/III ecoregions containing more than 80 distinct ecosystems. [1] [2] They differ in hydrology, climate, landforms, soil types, flora, and fauna, forming a global biodiversity hotspot. [3]
They may all have similar characteristics, but the difference in location and evaluation attribute to the diversity of their hydrological sources and cycles. Although the Northern American Deserts are characteristically dry, they still contain the water necessary to fuel their ecosystem and sustain the life of humans, animals, and plants alike.
Because the Sierran subalpine is situated in such harsh conditions, i.e. nearly at the limit of tree growth, the ecosystem is particularly sensitive to changes in climate. The long-lived nature of subalpine species plus their relative isolation from civilization make subalpine ecosystems a particularly good study system to examine climate change.
The IUCN Red List of Ecosystems criteria and categories have been used in different contexts. There are examples of local, national and continental application. [22] Some countries, like Finland, have adopted these guidelines as an official system to assess risk to ecosystems. [23] [24]
While they cover just one thousandth of the ocean floor, these marine plants play an important role in aquatic ecosystems – from providing nursery grounds for marine species, to storing up to 18 ...
ICCAs are "natural and/or modified ecosystems containing significant bio - diversity values and ecological services, voluntarily conserved by (sedentary and mobile) indigenous and local communities, through customary laws or other effective means". [37] As of December 2022, 17% of land territory and 10% of ocean territory were protected.
There are more than 400 protected sites spread across 84 million acres but very few are large enough to contain ecosystems. In 1872, the world's first national park was established at Yellowstone. Another fifty-seven national parks and hundreds of other federally managed parks and forests have since been formed. [11]
The plan involves cooperation between the federal government, state, and local governments, and encompasses 18,000 square miles (47,000 km 2) in 16 counties. [23] It is estimated that completion of the program will take 30 years, at an approximate cost of $7.8 Billion. [23]