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Dictionary » E » Ecosystem

Ecosystem

Definition

noun, plural: ecosystems

A system that includes all living organisms (biotic factors) in an area as well as its physical environment (abiotic factors) functioning together as a unit.


Supplement

An ecosystem is made up of plants, animals, microorganisms, soil, rocks, minerals, water sources and the local atmosphere interacting with one another.


Word origin: coined in 1930 by Roy Clapham, to denote the physical and biological components of an environment considered in relation to each other as a unit.
Related phrases: ecosystem model, ecosystem ecology, ecosystem diversity.
See also: biotic factor, abiotic factor, ecology.


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Biology high school questions about dynamic ecosystem :D

Thanks, for helping! God bless your generous soul ;) 1. Why is it that the tse-tse fly in an ecosystem comprising of zebras and grass has a number greater than the zebra? 2. Why do hawks have the highest level of insectide accumulation over a period of time, after insectide ...

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by easternuser
Wed Oct 05, 2011 7:55 am
 
Forum: Botany Discussion
Topic: Biology high school questions about dynamic ecosystem :D
Replies: 2
Views: 67

conservation is necessary to human survival.

... are not that strictly required and their function overtook other insect 2) there are plenty of examples, which can show us, that all parts of the ecosystem are important for balance. However, who are we to say, that this and not other balance is the right one?

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by JackBean
Fri Sep 09, 2011 6:28 am
 
Forum: Ecology
Topic: conservation is necessary to human survival.
Replies: 6
Views: 1686

ecology

please am new on this site.i want know the differences between biomes and ecosystem

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by jerryobj
Tue Aug 30, 2011 8:59 am
 
Forum: Ecology
Topic: ecology
Replies: 1
Views: 236

Re: Ecological Niche

Niche is where species or population is in its ecosystem. In lesser term, how they make a living. There are diffrent dimensions of a niche that has a wide variety of aspects of the environment which must be considered. • 3 sets of parameters: I.Range ...

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by oaktree
Wed Aug 17, 2011 2:14 am
 
Forum: Ecology
Topic: Ecological Niche
Replies: 1
Views: 416

Re: how is pollination an example of mutualism?

... where each individual derives a fitness benefit.It plays a key part in ecology. For example, mutualistic interactions are vital for terrestrial ecosystem function as more than 48% of land plants rely on mycorrhizal relationships with fungi to provide them with inorganic compounds and trace elements. ...

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by Paula78
Mon Aug 15, 2011 10:19 am
 
Forum: Ecology
Topic: how is pollination an example of mutualism?
Replies: 6
Views: 1311
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