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Ecosystem Classifications - XML

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

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