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ecosystem

EE-koh-sis-tum /ˈiː.koʊˌsɪs.təm/

nounB2IELTSTOEFLSAT

neutralacademic

A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical, non-living environment.

Emphasizes the dynamic flow of energy and nutrients between living organisms and non-living factors like air, water, and soil.

The story behind the word. British botanist Arthur Tansley created the term in 1935. Combining Greek oikos (household) with systema (connected system), Tansley needed a precise word to demonstrate that living organisms and physical non-living elements operate together as a single working unit.

Word relationships

ecological network: Focuses on the web of connections rather than the integrated biological unit.

isolation: A state lacking systemic interaction between organisms and surroundings.

Commonly confused with

habitat: Habitat is where a specific species lives, while ecosystem includes all living communities and non-living components interacting together.

Word family

ecological (adjective): Relating to ecosystems and interactions between organisms and environment.

Collocations

fragile ecosystem
ecosystem services
marine ecosystem
ecosystem collapse

Example sentences

"A coral reef is a delicate marine ecosystem where complex food webs depend on clean, warm water." Marine biology article
"Healthy natural ecosystems provide key services such as water purification and climate regulation." Ecological evaluation report

Memory hook

ECO (home) + SYSTEM (connected network) = nature's operating network. Nature's interactive household.

When not to use

Do not confuse with 'habitat', which refers strictly to the localized home address of an individual species.

Fun facts

Arthur Tansley invented the term in 1935 to challenge romanticized, non-scientific views of plant communities.