ecosystem
Nature's interconnected community
An ecosystem is a community of living organisms together with their physical environment, functioning as an interconnected system: the marine ecosystem, a forest ecosystem.
The term extends to any complex network of interdependent elements: the startup ecosystem, the Apple ecosystem of devices and services.
Disrupting one part affects the whole.
Relating to life
- abioticNonliving, in ecology
- producersThose who create goods
- consumersThose who buy goods
- decomposersOrganisms breaking down dead material
food web · food chain · nutrient cycle · energy flow · biomass · carrying capacity · population · community
Plants of a region
- faunaAnimal life collectively
- endemicNative to one area
- nativeOriginating from a place
- invasiveEncroaching without welcome
keystone species · apex predator · herbivore · pollinator · symbiosis · mutualism · parasitism · commensalism
Wet tropical woodland ecosystem
- savannaTropical grassland, sparse trees
- tundraFrigid treeless biome
- wetlandsWater-saturated terrain
- coral reefCalcium carbonate marine ecosystem
mangrove · taiga · grassland · desert · temperate forest · tropical forest · deciduous forest · coniferous forest
Body's microbial community
- decomposersOrganisms breaking down dead material
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- fungiSpore-reproducing decomposers
- mycorrhizaeFungal-root mutualistic associations
nitrogen fixation · detritivores · biofilm · fermentation · organic matter · humus
Capable of restoration
- regenerativeAble to renew itself
- sustainableAble to endure long-term
- permacultureSustainable ecosystem design method
- agroforestryTrees integrated with farming
organic · low-impact · carbon-neutral · biodegradable · composting · land management · sustainable harvest
Flower reproductive transfer
- carbon sequestrationRemoving and storing atmospheric CO2
- water filtrationRemoving impurities from liquid
- soil formationHow dirt develops naturally
- erosion controlPreventing soil loss
climate regulation · decomposition · pest control · seed dispersal · watershed · provisioning
At risk of extinction
- threatenedExpressed intent to harm
- extinctionComplete vanishing of a species
- preservationMaintaining something's condition
- restorationReturning something to condition
rewilding · reforestation · sanctuary · protected area · stewardship · wildlife corridor · habitat loss · fragmentation
biotic
Relating to life
decomposers · food web · food chain · nutrient cycle · energy flow · biomass · carrying capacity · population · community · niche
flora
Plants of a region
invasive · keystone species · apex predator · herbivore · pollinator · symbiosis · mutualism · parasitism · commensalism · interdependence
rainforest
Wet tropical woodland ecosystem
coral reef · mangrove · taiga · grassland · desert · temperate forest · tropical forest · deciduous forest · coniferous forest · boreal forest
microbiome
Body's microbial community
- decomposersOrganisms breaking down dead material
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- fungiSpore-reproducing decomposers
mycorrhizae · nitrogen fixation · detritivores · biofilm · fermentation · organic matter · humus
renewable
Capable of restoration
- regenerativeAble to renew itself
- sustainableAble to endure long-term
- permacultureSustainable ecosystem design method
agroforestry · organic · low-impact · carbon-neutral · biodegradable · composting · land management · sustainable harvest
pollination
Flower reproductive transfer
- carbon sequestrationRemoving and storing atmospheric CO2
- water filtrationRemoving impurities from liquid
- soil formationHow dirt develops naturally
erosion control · climate regulation · decomposition · pest control · seed dispersal · watershed · provisioning
endangered
At risk of extinction
- threatenedExpressed intent to harm
- extinctionComplete vanishing of a species
- preservationMaintaining something's condition
restoration · rewilding · reforestation · sanctuary · protected area · stewardship · wildlife corridor · habitat loss · fragmentation · resilience
- sciencebiology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, geology
- ecologyhabitat, balance, niche, food webs, food chain
- ecosystembiome, habitat, food chain, food web, producer
- environmentalismconservationism, recycling bins, campaigner, environmentalism, conservationist
- natural historynatural history, natural history museum, naturalist, naturalists, natural philosophers
- systemsbiological systems, transportation network, communication systems, complex systems, relay systems
ecosystemsingle cell
One microscopic living unit
organism · monoculture · individual · biosphere · atom
ecosystemindustrial complex
Grouped production facilities
machine · factory · built environment · industrial zone · laboratory
ecosystemwasteland
Uninhabitable barren region
dead zone · barren landscape · sterile environment · desolation · desert
- forest ecosystemBiological community of woods
- desert ecosystemArid region's living community
- ecosystem damageHarm to natural communities
- fragile ecosystemsEnvironments easily harmed by change
- ecosystem collapseTotal breakdown of environmental systems
- diverse ecosystemsMultiple distinct natural communities