Final answer:
Ecosystems can be compared based on substrate, which is the surface on which organisms live, and the size of the area, affecting biodiversity and species interactions. The Amazon rainforest and a tidal pool are examples of ecosystems differing in these aspects, which contribute to the distinct communities they support.
Step-by-step explanation:
When comparing ecosystems based on substrate and size of area, we look at the biotic and abiotic factors that define them. Ecosystems can range from a tiny tidal pool to a vast rainforest, and can fall into broad categories like freshwater, marine, and terrestrial. Each ecosystem provides a unique habitat that supports a distinct community of organisms.
Substrate refers to the underlying surface or material where organisms live, such as soil, rock, or coral. Size of area, from small patches to entire regions, impacts the diversity and interactions between species. Larger areas like the Amazon rainforest offer a more complex structure and a greater variety of niches compared to smaller areas such as a dead wood piece, leading to a higher biodiversity.
Different ecosystems have their distinct abiotic factors like temperature and rainfall. For instance, the environmental habitat found in a coral reef is marine with specific salinity levels and light penetration, supporting species adapted to these conditions, while a terrestrial desert ecosystem has arid soil and extreme temperatures, hosting organisms capable of surviving in such harsh conditions.