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What Is An EcosystemWhat Is An Ecosystem

An ecosystem is a natural unitAn ecosystem is a natural unit

consisting of all plants, animals andconsisting of all plants, animals and

micro-organisms (biotic factors) in anmicro-organisms (biotic factors) in anarea functioning together with all of thearea functioning together with all of the

non-living physical (abiotic) factors ofnon-living physical (abiotic) factors of

the environment.the environment.

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Auatic systems are those that containAuatic systems are those that containplants and animals that predominantlyplants and animals that predominantly

depend on a significant amount ofdepend on a significant amount ofwater to be present for at least part ofwater to be present for at least part ofthe year.the year.

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!"A#A$$A%!"A#A$$A%

A dense, impenetrable thic&et ofA dense, impenetrable thic&et of

shrubs or dwarf trees. A vegetationshrubs or dwarf trees. A vegetation

type dominated by shrubs and smalltype dominated by shrubs and small

trees, especially evergreen trees withtrees, especially evergreen trees with

thic&, small leaves.thic&, small leaves.

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!'$A% $EE!'$A% $EE

A large underwater formationA large underwater formation

created from the calciumcreated from the calcium

carbonate s&eletons of coralcarbonate s&eletons of coralanimals can also refer to theanimals can also refer to the

animals living on and near theanimals living on and near the

coral reef.coral reef.

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*E+E$*E+E$

A desert is a landscape form or regionA desert is a landscape form or regionthat receives very little precipitation.that receives very little precipitation.*eserts can be defined as areas that*eserts can be defined as areas that

receive an average annual precipitationreceive an average annual precipitationof less than / mm (0/ in), or as areasof less than / mm (0/ in), or as areasin which more water is lost than falls asin which more water is lost than falls asprecipitation.In the 12ppen climateprecipitation.In the 12ppen climateclassification system, deserts areclassification system, deserts areclassed asclassed as BWhBWh (hot desert) or(hot desert) or BWkBWk(temperate desert).(temperate desert).