A systematic classification system for Earth's ecosystems.
Overview
Ecosystem Classifications
Ecosystem classification is a system for categorizing Earth's diverse ecosystems based on characteristics such as biological communities, climate, soil, and topography. The IUCN Global Ecosystem Typology 2.0 is a hierarchical classification system consisting of 5 realms (terrestrial, freshwater, marine, subterranean, transitional), 25 biomes, and further subdivided ecosystem functional groups. This classification is widely used as an international standard for ecosystem conservation status assessments and environmental-economic accounting.
ecosystem
biome
IUCN
conservation
biodiversity
ecological classification
| code | slug | name | description | realm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T1 | tropical-subtropical-forests | Tropical-Subtropical Forests | Forest ecosystems adapted to hot and humid climates near the equator. | Terrestrial |
| T2 | temperate-boreal-forests-woodlands | Temperate-Boreal Forests and Woodlands | Forest ecosystems distributed from temperate to boreal regions with distinct seasonal changes. | Terrestrial |
| T3 | shrublands-shrubby-woodlands | Shrublands and Shrubby Woodlands | Ecosystems dominated by shrubs in Mediterranean climates and dry regions. | Terrestrial |
| T4 | savannas-grasslands | Savannas and Grasslands | Grassland ecosystems dominated by herbaceous plants with scattered trees. | Terrestrial |
| T5 | deserts-semi-deserts | Deserts and Semi-Deserts | Dryland ecosystems adapted to extremely low precipitation. | Terrestrial |
| T6 | polar-alpine-cryogenic | Polar-Alpine (Cryogenic) | Polar and alpine ecosystems adapted to permafrost and low-temperature environments. | Terrestrial |
| T7 | intensive-anthropogenic-terrestrial | Intensive Anthropogenic Terrestrial Ecosystems | Terrestrial ecosystems created by human activities. | Terrestrial |
| F1 | rivers-streams | Rivers and Streams | Freshwater ecosystems characterized by flowing water. | Freshwater |
| F2 | lakes | Lakes | Freshwater ecosystems characterized by standing water. | Freshwater |
| TF1 | palustrine-wetlands | Palustrine Wetlands | Wetland ecosystems located at the boundary between terrestrial and freshwater realms. | Transitional |
| M1 | marine-shelf | Marine Shelf | Marine ecosystems including the continental shelf. | Marine |
| MT1 | shorelines | Shorelines | Coastal ecosystems where land and sea meet. | Transitional |
| S1 | subterranean-lithic | Subterranean Lithic | Ecosystems existing in underground rock spaces. | Subterranean |