International Journal of Molecular Evolution and Biodiversity 2024, Vol.14, No.1, 1-9 http://ecoevopublisher.com/index.php/ijmeb 2 1 Ecosystem Background Ecosystems are an indispensable part of the natural world on Earth, including various biological and abiotic components of land, water, and air that interact and jointly sustain life on Earth. Mammals play multiple roles in these ecosystems, maintaining ecological balance and ecosystem functions. Protecting and managing these ecosystems and their mammals is a shared responsibility to ensure ecological diversity and sustainability on Earth. 1.1 Characteristics of terrestrial ecosystems Terrestrial ecosystems include a wide range of ecological diversity, from grasslands to forests, deserts to mountains, each with its unique characteristics. The main differences between these ecosystems lie in climate, vegetation type, and geographical location. For example, tropical rainforests are typically located near the equator, with high temperatures and humidity, dense growth of trees and plants, and are also one of the hotspots of global biodiversity. On the contrary, desert ecosystems have dry and high-temperature climate conditions, with relatively sparse vegetation and plants adapting to arid environments. The characteristics of terrestrial ecosystems also include a variety of wild animals and plants, from herbivorous animals such as elephants (Elephantidae) and zebras (Equus quagga) to carnivorous animals such as lions (Panthera leo) and leopards (Leopard). The interactions between these organisms form the food chain and ecological network of the ecosystem, maintaining ecological balance. In addition, soil is also an important component of terrestrial ecosystems, supporting plant growth, storing water, and serving as a habitat for many microorganisms and insects. The Amazon rainforest is considered one of the largest terrestrial ecosystems on Earth. This ecosystem is located in South America, with rich vegetation and wildlife diversity. The Amazon rainforest not only provides important services for global climate regulation, but also contains thousands of plant and animal species, including jungle cats (Felis chaus), sloths (Folivora), pythons (Pythonmolurus), and various monkeys (Figure 1). Figure 1 The restrial ecosystem of the Amazon rainforest 1.2 Characteristics of aquatic ecosystems The aquatic ecosystem includes different types of water bodies such as oceans, freshwater lakes, rivers, and wetlands. They cover a considerable area on Earth, providing rich ecological diversity and resources. The marine ecosystem is one of the largest ecosystems on Earth, with a vast ocean and seabed environment. These ecosystems play a crucial role in global climate and ecological balance. In aquatic ecosystems, water bodies of different depths and temperatures form differences in ecological diversity. For example, coral reef ecosystems are typically located in warm shallow water areas and are hotspots of marine biodiversity, including colorful corals and various fish species (Figure 2). Deep sea ecosystems, on the other hand, exist deep in the ocean floor, where organisms adapt to extreme pressure and cold conditions, including deep-sea fish and unique benthic organisms.
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