Ecosystem

/ˈiːkoʊˌsɪstəm/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

The Amazon rainforest is one of the largest and most diverse ecosystems on the planet.

A complex network or interconnected system, often used metaphorically in various fields such as technology or economics.

The startup ecosystem in Silicon Valley fosters innovation and entrepreneurship.

A system formed by the interaction of a community of organisms with their environment.

Coral reefs are vital marine ecosystems that support a diverse range of life.

The interdependent relationships formed between living organisms and their surroundings.

Pollinators like bees play a critical role in our agricultural ecosystem.

An ecological unit comprised of both biotic and abiotic components interacting as a system.

Wetlands serve as important ecosystems by filtering water and providing habitat for wildlife.

The word 'ecosystem' is derived from 'eco-' (from ecology) and 'system', first coined in 1935.

ecosystem services

Benefits provided by ecosystems, such as clean air and water.

digital ecosystem

A network of interconnected digital resources and technologies.

ecosystem management

The process of managing the interactions within ecosystems.

ecology

The branch of biology that deals with the relationships of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings.

biodiversity

The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.