ecosystem
EE-koh-sis-tum
/ˈiːkoʊsɪstəm/
A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
In organic farming, the farm is viewed as a managed ecosystem where every insect, bird, and microbe has a role.
The story behind the word. Coined by British ecologist Arthur Tansley in 1935. He wanted a word to describe the 'whole system' including not only the organism-complex, but also the whole complex of physical factors forming what we call the environment.
Word relationships
- biosphere: The biosphere is the sum of all ecosystems on Earth; an ecosystem is a specific local unit.
Commonly confused with
- habitat: A habitat is where a single species lives; an ecosystem is the whole community of species and their surroundings.
Word family
- ecological (adjective): Relating to the relation of living organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings.
Collocations
- fragile ecosystem
- local ecosystem
- ecosystem services
Example sentences
- "An ecosystem is a geographic area where plants, animals, and other organisms, as well as weather and landscapes, work together to form a bubble of life." A general description of the concept.
Memory hook
Eco- (House) + System. It's the 'system of the house' where nature lives. Ecosystem = Nature's neighborhood.
When not to use
Don't use it to mean just 'the environment'; an ecosystem specifically emphasizes the interactions between the living and non-living parts.
Fun facts
- The largest ecosystem on Earth is the World Ocean, covering 71% of the planet's surface.
Related words
Explore more words
ecology, interconnectedness, supply chain, symbiosis, biodiverse, abiotic
Also appears in
- Technology → Ecology & Climate Science
- Nature → Ecology & Ecosystems
- Nature → Environmental Conservation
- Nature → Biodiversity & Species Conservation
- Environmental Policy & Sustainability Economics → Deforestation & Habitat Loss
- Environmental Policy & Sustainability Economics → Marine Ecology
- Environmental Policy & Sustainability Economics → Eco-Tourism & Travel
- Devices & Everyday Tech → Smart Home & IoT Devices
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