What is an ecosystem
An ecosystem is a set of living beings (microorganisms, fungi, plants and animals) that exist and interact with the chemical and physical components of the space they occupy (water, soil, air).
An example of an ecosystem is the forest, where there are certain types of trees, which develop thanks to a certain type of soil and temperature, allowing the establishment of animals that interact with each other.
The components of the ecosystem can be classified into biotic factorswhich are all living organisms, and abiotic factorsthe elements of the environment where living beings develop.
Continuing with the forest example, biotic factors are different types of trees, fungi, insects, lizards, monkeys and birds.
The abiotic factors of the forest are constant humidity, average temperature, variation in sunlight depending on the time of year, rainfall and air quality.
The concept of ecosystem was first published by the English botanist Arthur George Tansley in the 1930s. It is formed by the word system preceded by the prefix echo-which comes from the Greek οἶκος (oíkos), which means ‘house’, ‘environment’ or ‘place where life develops’.
A forest is an ecosystem where environmental conditions determine the variety of plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms that live and interact in that place.
Types of ecosystems
Terrestrial ecosystem
A terrestrial ecosystem is a natural system that develops primarily in the soil or subsoil. Some examples are forest, scrub, moor, grassland, savannah, grassland and steppe, and others such as tundra and desert.
Aquatic ecosystem
A stream is an example of an aquatic ecosystem, where amphibians obtain food and living conditions.
An aquatic ecosystem is a natural system where living beings interact with aquatic bodies, such as the ocean, sea, rivers and lakes. Two types of aquatic ecosystems can be distinguished:
Marine ecosystem: It is established in oceans and saltwater seas. Some examples could be a beach, an mouth, a coral reef, or an ocean trench.
freshwater ecosystem: Establishes itself in freshwater rivers and lakes (such as rivers and lakes). When water is stagnant it is called an ecosystem. lentic (a pond or a lake); When water moves it is called an ecosystem lotic (a river or stream).
natural ecosystem
Natural ecosystems are those that do not depend on human intervention to maintain themselves. Examples of natural ecosystems are the tundra in Siberia, the Sahara desert, coral reefs.
artificial ecosystem
In a greenhouse, the physical and chemical conditions, as well as the biological component, are controlled and manipulated by humans.
Artificial ecosystems are designed and maintained by humans. Among these we can mention botanical gardens, agricultural systems, forest plantations, dams.
Characteristics of an ecosystem
Energy circulates in ecosystems: The main source of energy for ecosystems is sunlight, captured by organisms that produce photosynthesis, such as plants. Herbivorous animals obtain their energy from plants while carnivorous animals feed on other animals.
Matter circulates in ecosystems: food flows between the different organisms that are part of the ecosystem.
Ecosystems have food chains and webs: producing beings are consumed by herbivores, these by carnivores, organic matter is degraded by decomposer organisms.
Ecosystems vary over time: Environmental conditions change at different times of the year and with this the living beings that develop also change.
See also
Reference
Jorgensen, S.E. (2009) Ecosystem Ecology. Elsevier. Denmark.
Tansley, A. G. (1935). The use and abuse of vegetational concepts and terms. Ecology, 16(3), 284-307.