ecosystems
Interconnected natural communities
Ecosystems are communities of living organisms interacting with their physical environment—the plants, animals, microbes, soil, water, and climate of a particular place functioning as a unit.
A pond is an ecosystem; so is a rainforest.
The term extends to any complex system of interdependent elements: the startup ecosystem, the media ecosystem.
Damage to one part affects the whole.
Finest taxonomic rank
- floraPlants of a region
- faunaAnimal life collectively
- richnessState of abundance
- endemicNative to one area
biota · keystone · invertebrates · mammals · birds · reptiles · amphibians · pollinators
Major ecological community
- nicheRecessed wall space
- terrestrialRelating to land
- aquaticWater-inhabiting
- forestTree-dense ecosystem
grassland · desert · tundra · wetland · mangrove · savanna · taiga · rainforest
State of balance
- homeostasisBiological internal stability maintenance
- stabilityResistance to displacement
- interdependenceReciprocal reliance between entities
- cyclingRiding on two wheels
feedback · regulation · resilience · dynamics · trophic · flux · perturbation · predator-prey
Measured heat intensity
- precipitationAtmospheric water deposit
- microclimateLocalized atmospheric zone
- droughtProlonged water scarcity
- monsoonSeasonal tropical wind pattern
phenology · seasonal · warming · adaptation · frost · humidity · evapotranspiration · desertification
Maintaining something's condition
- endangeredAt risk of extinction
- protectionGuarding against harm
- restorationReturning something to condition
- reforestationReplanting depleted woodlands
sanctuaries · stewardship · corridors · extinction · wilderness · rewilding · monitoring
Capable of restoration
- recyclingReprocessing used materials
- compostingDecomposing organic matter deliberately
- permacultureSustainable ecosystem design method
- biodegradableAble to decompose naturally
species
Finest taxonomic rank
endemic · biota · keystone · invertebrates · mammals · birds · reptiles · amphibians · pollinators · decomposers
biome
Major ecological community
- nicheRecessed wall space
- terrestrialRelating to land
- aquaticWater-inhabiting
forest · grassland · desert · tundra · wetland · mangrove · savanna · taiga · rainforest · ecotone
equilibrium
State of balance
- homeostasisBiological internal stability maintenance
- stabilityResistance to displacement
- interdependenceReciprocal reliance between entities
cycling · feedback · regulation · resilience · dynamics · trophic · flux · perturbation · predator-prey · succession
temperature
Measured heat intensity
- precipitationAtmospheric water deposit
- microclimateLocalized atmospheric zone
- droughtProlonged water scarcity
monsoon · phenology · seasonal · warming · adaptation · frost · humidity · evapotranspiration · desertification
preservation
Maintaining something's condition
- endangeredAt risk of extinction
- protectionGuarding against harm
- restorationReturning something to condition
reforestation · sanctuaries · stewardship · corridors · extinction · wilderness · rewilding · monitoring
renewable
Capable of restoration
- recyclingReprocessing used materials
- compostingDecomposing organic matter deliberately
- permacultureSustainable ecosystem design method
- cultural heritagefolklore, traditions, customs, folk music revival, museum collections
- juvenile biologybiology textbooks, biology experiments, cells, life cycles, science fair
- natural history museumsdioramas, taxidermy, specimens, exhibits, displays
- Central European natureBlack Forest, Bavarian Alps, red deer, wild boar, roe deer
- Nature wisdomanimal instincts, seasonal cycles, migration patterns, moon phases, tides
- environmental reviewsenvironmental monitoring, environmental assessment, impact report, impact statement, EPA
ecosystemscontrolled environments
Spaces with managed conditions
industrial zones · mechanical systems · urban sprawl · concrete jungles · factories
ecosystemsdead zones
Areas lacking life or signal
wastelands · barren landscapes · desertification · scorched earth · moonscapes
- 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