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Ecosystem Classifications - YAML

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"