TSV

Ecosystem Classifications - TSV

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