Question

Can someone please, explain the different types of harsh habitat and the effect on this on our ecosystem.

Answer 1

Harsh habitats signify the extreme habitats that are present when one of the environmental factors are present in the extreme conditions. There are various types of extreme habitats that affect the ecosystem :

• Alkaline environment - When the natural pH in the surrounding environment is above 9, the organisms found there are mostly extremophiles that are resistant to extreme alkaline pH.
• Acidic environment - When the pH of the surrounding is below 9 and lower, then the organisms and the plant life thriving there is more of a low pH survivor
• Extremely cold environment - The temperature is well far below freezing point , like in the polar regions where the animal and the plant life are adapted to the icy cold environment. The ecosystem there is not having a high energy output as most of the energy remains trapped inside the organism body.
• Extremely hot environment - The temperature is above 40 degree C and the habitat is dry and with limited water. The ecosystem is more of a conserved one as the temperature is extremely hot and the availability of water is limited
• Without oxygen - The deep sediments of the earth have environment where most of the organisms are anaerobic and obligate ones. This is due to the absence of oxygen.