Ecology and Biology

Does the world have an ecosystem that is based on the one we have on earth, or are there large differences, e.g. all plants are yellow, there are forests of glowing mushrooms etc.? If the ecosystem is different, how is this explained: maybe a different atmosphere, magic etc.?

• Some ecosystems on Aublion are similar to Earth ecosystems in a sense. The plants inhabiting them are definitely alien, but share a similar ecological niche, such as the rainforest plants, tundra plants, and even the deciduous and pine forests. As stated above, a lot of the coloring pigments for plants comes from high iron levels, and high anthocyanin levels, causing red, blue, pink, and even purple foliage to occur regularly alongside normal greenery. In certain areas, plants have become more fungal based, though these types of environments happen usually near the equator, and mostly in swamplands.
  
  
Plains environments do have myco forests sprout up from time to time, consisting of large branching mushrooms that last for a few weeks, and wither after sporing. Bioluminescent plants, rocks, and other natural structures (even animals) exsist all over the planet except the coldest climes, due to a naturally occurring adaptation to store excess mana produced by the planet. Natural organisms use this spare mana as food to get through hard times and droughts, though it cannot permanently sustain them.

Are the life forms a result of evolution and is there evidence, like fossils?
Or has life developed during a much shorter period, as a result of creation by a (mystical) higher entity or technological advancement? Maybe the existence of life is due to colonisation from outside.

• The very first lifeforms created in Aublions first Drir (era) are ancient and long extinct by the current planets living standard. Their remains are often found in digsites, and are brought to institutions to be documented and replicated for educational displays. Remains of bones, various animal fossils, and other organic life are the most often recovered. 
Tools and other advanced signs of civilization havent been found, so from whats been gathered, the first divine creation attempt never made it past their beginning stages of evolution.The second divine creation attempt was successful, but due to their small scale, have stayed well hidden as a survival mechanism. Gackles do make themselves known to Sadrids from time to time, and unbeknownst to the surface Sadrid populations, have a very good reputation with the little known about Hrovens. Both Gackles and Hrovens live together in different underground cities, and are viewed as equals to the Sadrids. The third divine creation are the Sadrids. Which have obviously proven themselves to be successful as well!

How complex are the life forms?

• The complexity of the lifeform depends on which one you are looking to study. A vast majority of existing ones would be considered complex by scientific standards, but theres still plenty of non complex simple celled organisms as well.

Is there life on the ground, in the air, in the sea? Are there regions that are hostile to life, or completely without life?

• Theres life everywhere on Aublion! The water, soil, sky, everything has been blessed with life by the Ladies. Everywhere thats compatible at least. Northmost Gao’Dir and southern Treseti are so cold, that only cold-resistant bacteria can survive on the icy landscape. But nowhere is truely without at least one form of life.

Which ecosystems and landscapes are especially distinctive, home to many species, and which characteristics make it so?

• The most distinctive ecosystem is easily the rainforests and jungles of middle Efira. They have the most concentrated populations of unique life, both animal and plant. The variation is mostly attributed to being due to the surplus of cover, food, and its protected, natural state. Sadrids have a high reverence for nature and their planet, so natural spaces are left alone, and protected heavily. Very few materials are harvested from the wilds, and those that are, are made sure to be done in an unobtrusive nature, and in a manner that still leaves plenty for any wildlife that might need it more