ecologies
Living system studies
Ecologies is the plural of ecology, the study of how organisms interact with their environments and each other.
The word often appears when discussing multiple systems or approaches: urban ecologies, media ecologies, the ecologies of coral reefs.
Each ecology represents a distinct web of relationships—biological, social, or metaphorical—where elements depend on and shape one another.
Interdependent organism-environment systems
- speciesFinest taxonomic rank
- floraPlants of a region
- faunaAnimal life collectively
- biotaRegional living organisms
endemic · richness · keystone · native · invasive · exotic · indicator · taxonomic
Major ecological community
- nicheRecessed wall space
- wetlandsWater-saturated terrain
- forestTree-dense ecosystem
- tundraFrigid treeless biome
savanna · grassland · desert · estuary · mangrove · taiga · chaparral · freshwater
At risk of extinction
- preservationMaintaining something's condition
- protectedKept from harm
- wildlifeUndomesticated natural organisms
- sanctuaryProtected sacred space
reserve · restoration · stewardship · reforestation · corridor · extinction · poaching · rewilding
Capable of restoration
- recyclingReprocessing used materials
- compostingDecomposing organic matter deliberately
- permacultureSustainable ecosystem design method
- organicFrom living matter
regenerative · circular · resilience · balance · equilibrium · degradation · anthropogenic · disturbance
ecosystems
Interdependent organism-environment systems
biota · endemic · richness · keystone · native · invasive · exotic · indicator · taxonomic · phylogenetic
biome
Major ecological community
tundra · savanna · grassland · desert · estuary · mangrove · taiga · chaparral · freshwater · marine
endangered
At risk of extinction
- preservationMaintaining something's condition
- protectedKept from harm
- wildlifeUndomesticated natural organisms
sanctuary · reserve · restoration · stewardship · reforestation · corridor · extinction · poaching · rewilding · management
renewable
Capable of restoration
- recyclingReprocessing used materials
- compostingDecomposing organic matter deliberately
- permacultureSustainable ecosystem design method
organic · regenerative · circular · resilience · balance · equilibrium · degradation · anthropogenic · disturbance · succession
ecologiesmachines
Devices that perform tasks
factories · industrial complexes · laboratories · concrete jungles
- ecological balanceStable ecosystem state
- ecological footprintMeasure of resource demand
- ecological nicheSpecies' functional environmental position
- ecological harmDamage to natural systems
- ecological damageHarm to natural systems
- ecological impactEffect on ecosystems