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Ecosystem Classifications - JSON

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": "T1",
    "slug": "tropical-subtropical-forests",
    "name": "Tropical-Subtropical Forests",
    "description": "Forest ecosystems adapted to hot and humid climates near the equator.",
    "realm": "Terrestrial"
  },
  {
    "code": "T2",
    "slug": "temperate-boreal-forests-woodlands",
    "name": "Temperate-Boreal Forests and Woodlands",
    "description": "Forest ecosystems distributed from temperate to boreal regions with distinct seasonal changes.",
    "realm": "Terrestrial"
  },
  {
    "code": "T3",
    "slug": "shrublands-shrubby-woodlands",
    "name": "Shrublands and Shrubby Woodlands",
    "description": "Ecosystems dominated by shrubs in Mediterranean climates and dry regions.",
    "realm": "Terrestrial"
  },
  {
    "code": "T4",
    "slug": "savannas-grasslands",
    "name": "Savannas and Grasslands",
    "description": "Grassland ecosystems dominated by herbaceous plants with scattered trees.",
    "realm": "Terrestrial"
  },
  {
    "code": "T5",
    "slug": "deserts-semi-deserts",
    "name": "Deserts and Semi-Deserts",
    "description": "Dryland ecosystems adapted to extremely low precipitation.",
    "realm": "Terrestrial"
  },
  {
    "code": "T6",
    "slug": "polar-alpine-cryogenic",
    "name": "Polar-Alpine (Cryogenic)",
    "description": "Polar and alpine ecosystems adapted to permafrost and low-temperature environments.",
    "realm": "Terrestrial"
  },
  {
    "code": "T7",
    "slug": "intensive-anthropogenic-terrestrial",
    "name": "Intensive Anthropogenic Terrestrial Ecosystems",
    "description": "Terrestrial ecosystems created by human activities.",
    "realm": "Terrestrial"
  },
  {
    "code": "F1",
    "slug": "rivers-streams",
    "name": "Rivers and Streams",
    "description": "Freshwater ecosystems characterized by flowing water.",
    "realm": "Freshwater"
  },
  {
    "code": "F2",
    "slug": "lakes",
    "name": "Lakes",
    "description": "Freshwater ecosystems characterized by standing water.",
    "realm": "Freshwater"
  },
  {
    "code": "TF1",
    "slug": "palustrine-wetlands",
    "name": "Palustrine Wetlands",
    "description": "Wetland ecosystems located at the boundary between terrestrial and freshwater realms.",
    "realm": "Transitional"
  },
  {
    "code": "M1",
    "slug": "marine-shelf",
    "name": "Marine Shelf",
    "description": "Marine ecosystems including the continental shelf.",
    "realm": "Marine"
  },
  {
    "code": "MT1",
    "slug": "shorelines",
    "name": "Shorelines",
    "description": "Coastal ecosystems where land and sea meet.",
    "realm": "Transitional"
  },
  {
    "code": "S1",
    "slug": "subterranean-lithic",
    "name": "Subterranean Lithic",
    "description": "Ecosystems existing in underground rock spaces.",
    "realm": "Subterranean"
  }
]