Grasslands are included under which broad type of ecosystem?

Introduction / Context:
This question concerns basic ecology and classification of ecosystems. Ecosystems can be broadly grouped into terrestrial (land based), aquatic (fresh water and marine), and artificial or human made systems. Grasslands are a major natural vegetation type found on land in many parts of the world. The question asks you to classify grasslands into the correct broad ecosystem category.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The ecosystem type to classify is grassland.
• Four broad categories are given: terrestrial, marine, artificial, and fresh water.
• Grasslands are understood as large areas dominated by grasses with few trees.
• We focus on the natural environment where grasslands occur.

Concept / Approach:
Grasslands occur on land surfaces, with soil, air, and land based plants and animals as their main components. They are therefore terrestrial ecosystems. Marine ecosystems are based in saltwater oceans and seas. Fresh water ecosystems include rivers, lakes, and ponds. Artificial ecosystems are those created and maintained mainly by human activity, such as croplands, gardens, and aquariums. Since grasslands are natural land based systems, they clearly fit under terrestrial ecosystems.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the definition of grassland. It is a land area dominated by grasses, with occasional shrubs or trees. Step 2: Recognise that grasslands are found on continents and large land masses, not under water. Step 3: Compare this with marine ecosystems, which are based in saltwater environments like seas and oceans. Step 4: Compare with fresh water ecosystems, which involve rivers, lakes, and wetlands, not vast land covered with grasses. Step 5: Conclude that grasslands belong to terrestrial ecosystems, as they are land based natural systems.

Verification / Alternative check:
To cross check, think of examples of grasslands such as prairies in North America, pampas in South America, savannas in Africa, and steppes in Eurasia. All of these are vast land regions. None of them are seas or lakes. They support land animals such as bison, antelopes, and zebras. Therefore, they are clearly terrestrial. Marine and fresh water ecosystems, by contrast, are dominated by aquatic life such as fish, corals, and aquatic plants.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B, marine ecosystem, is incorrect because grasslands are not located in saltwater. Option C, artificial ecosystem, is wrong because grasslands are natural systems formed by climate and soil conditions, not primarily constructed by humans. Option D, fresh water ecosystem, is incorrect because grasslands are not water bodies; they may contain rivers or ponds, but the dominant habitat is land with grasses. Thus, these categories do not match the nature of grasslands.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates may confuse savannas or marshy grasslands with aquatic systems due to the presence of seasonal water, but the key is to look at the dominant environment. Another pitfall is not clearly distinguishing between natural and artificial ecosystems. Remember that grasslands such as prairies and savannas are natural, extensive land biomes shaped mainly by climate and grazing, which places them firmly in the terrestrial category.

Final Answer:
Grasslands are included under the terrestrial ecosystem category.