microecosystem
Puddle's living world
A microecosystem is a small, self-contained ecological system—a terrarium, a rotting log, a puddle, or even the bacterial community in a human gut.
The term emphasizes that even tiny environments contain complex webs of organisms interacting with each other and their surroundings: The jar of pond water became its own microecosystem.
Finest taxonomic rank
- floraPlants of a region
- faunaAnimal life collectively
- microfloraMicroscopic organisms inhabiting environments
- microfaunaMinute soil animals
microorganisms · bacteria · fungi · algae · protozoa · invertebrates · decomposers · producers
Recessed wall space
- ecotoneBoundary between distinct habitats
- substrateUnderlying supporting material
- terrestrialRelating to land
- aquaticWater-inhabiting
Glass-walled growing enclosure
- aquariumTank for keeping fish
- vivariumEnclosure for living specimens
- ecosphereAll habitable regions collectively
- bioreactorVessel for growing organisms
Breakdown into simpler parts
- photosynthesisLight-to-sugar conversion in plants
- respirationGas exchange in organisms
- successionFollowing in order
- colonizationForeign territorial takeover
adaptation · competition · predation · mutualism · homeostasis
species
Finest taxonomic rank
- floraPlants of a region
- faunaAnimal life collectively
- microfloraMicroscopic organisms inhabiting environments
microfauna · microorganisms · bacteria · fungi · algae · protozoa · invertebrates · decomposers · producers · consumers
niche
Recessed wall space
- ecotoneBoundary between distinct habitats
- substrateUnderlying supporting material
- terrestrialRelating to land
terrarium
Glass-walled growing enclosure
decomposition
Breakdown into simpler parts
- photosynthesisLight-to-sugar conversion in plants
- respirationGas exchange in organisms
- successionFollowing in order
colonization · adaptation · competition · predation · mutualism · homeostasis
system, micro, ecosystem, ecosystems, microorganism, microbial, microclimate, microbiology, microhabitat