Ecosystem
From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The word ecosystem is used to describe the combination of the animals and plants (the biotic) and non-living things, like environment and climate (the abiotic ), in a specific area. Another term for ecosystem is biotope.
Ecosystems are important because they help us to understand the relationships between all of the species that live in, or use, a physical area. Each species that lives in an area (for example deer), or uses it (migratory birds), has adapted, in some way, to that physical space.
Many different communities, and sub-communities, of animals and plants can live in an ecosystem. One practical way to describe an ecosystem is to create a map of the food networks (food chains and food webs) in it. Almost all of these maps would show that many different animals and plants need each other in order to survive.
This food network map would also show the locations where the fewest species of animals and plants come together, as predators and prey. The map can be used to describe the boundaries between different ecosystems.
References
- Biocoenosis. Retrieved November 25, 2006 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biocoenosis.
