Ecosystem is the basis for the existence of all life on the planet

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:46

Our planet is rich and beautiful. That part of the globe, where various representatives of flora and fauna live, is called the biosphere. For a clearer idea of the processes of their interaction with each other, the concept of an ecosystem was introduced. This is a term that implies the relationship of living organisms with their living conditions. Each component of this system is connected with the others and directly or indirectly depends on them. Thus, even a slight disruption in the functioning of any object will cause an imbalance in the entire group.

What is an ecosystem?

Any ecosystem is a place of origin and development of life. No organism can grow in isolation: only in interaction with other biological objects and environmental conditions is its further existence possible.

This concept has no dimensions. That is, whatever the object under consideration, it is an ecosystem. So,for example, it makes no difference whether the area under study is an ocean or a small overgrown pond, or maybe it is a pine forest or the Gobi Desert. And the first, and the second, and the third, and any other - an ecosystem. This is a term that was introduced by a biologist, more precisely, a phytocenologist, A. Tensley. What is included in this concept? Firstly, this system includes biogeocenosis. It includes absolutely all living organisms living in the studied environment. Secondly, the abiotic component, all those inanimate, but absolutely necessary components: air, water, light. And thirdly - the inevitable dead part - already dead organic matter, or otherwise detritus.

Biogeocenosis and ecosystem. Their stability and change

Many sources indicate that an ecosystem is a synonym for biogeocenosis. There are no clear boundaries between these concepts. As well as between the ecosystems themselves: one can easily move into another. It is in such areas that a person should be especially attentive and careful: any, even the most insignificant interference can ruin several biological species.

The areas of interaction of organisms with their habitat and with each other, which have arisen without human intervention, are natural ecosystems. They represent a stable whole, which is inherent in the concept of homeostasis. It is this term that characterizes the stable development of all members of society. Homeostasis implies a balance between the consumption of substances and energy and their release, a balance between mortality andfertility. So, for example, the fox-hare ecosystem. If the number of hare “livestock” grows, then the number of predators will inevitably increase in order not to allow the long-eared to exterminate the producing plants. The latter, in turn, synthesize organic substances from inorganic counterparts in the process of well-known photosynthesis.

Changing the ecosystem. Artificial habitats for living creatures

Thus, any ecosystem by all means resists any factors leading to the violation of its stable state. It is a known fact that this base is more stable, the larger the food web in it, the more options for duplication in it.

Any ecosystems, whether aquatic or terrestrial, change over time. So, for example, numerous shells that we meet on the coasts of the seas: most of them have long since died out due to their extermination by a mollusk called rapan.

Currently, artificially created ecosystems - "man-machine", "man-business" and others - are also in use. And if in these areas Homo sapiens can still control the ongoing processes without harm to the result, then in natural conditions this does not work.