The Earth is a vast ecosystem (ecological system) of both living and nonliving things!

An ecosystem includes all of the living things (plants and animals) in an area that interact with each other as well as all of the nonliving things (sun, soil, and weather.)

There are five different types of ecosystems:

1. Woodland Ecosystem
2. Wetland Ecosystem
3. Desert Ecosystem
4. Grassland Ecosystem
5. Marine Ecosystem

A woodland ecosystem is made up of mainly trees.  All types of forests fall under the woodland ecosystem including deciduous, coniferous, and rain forests! You will also find a lot of animals that are herbivores in a woodland ecosystem.

The second type of ecosystem is a wetland ecosystem.  In this ecosystem the land is usually swampy and the air is moist.  You will find a lot of frogs, lily pads, and mosquitoes here! 

The third type of ecosystem is a desert ecosystem.  Even though this ecosystem is dry, hot, sandy, and rocky, there are still many different species that live there. For example, camels, snakes, plants, cactus, and sagebrush.