Our planet is rich and beautiful. That part of the globe, on which various representatives of flora and fauna live, is called the biosphere. For a clearer picture of the processes of their interaction with each other, the concept of ecosystem was introduced. This is a term that implies the relationship of living organisms with their living conditions. Each component of this system is associated with the rest and directly or indirectly depends on them. Thus, even a slight disruption in the functioning of an object will cause an imbalance of 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 it possible to continue to exist.
This concept has no dimensions. That is, whatever the object in question, it is an ecosystem. So, for example, there is 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 second, and third, and any other - the ecosystem. This is a term that was introduced into everyday life by a biologist, more precisely, a phytocenologist, A. Tensley. What is included in this concept? Firstly, this system includes biogeocenosis. Absolutely all living organisms living in the studied environment belong to it. 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 in another way detritus.
Biogeocenosis and ecosystem. Their stability and change
Many sources indicate that the ecosystem is a synonym for biogeocenosis. There are no clear boundaries between these concepts. 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 intervention can ruin several biological species.
The areas of interaction of organisms with their environment and with each other, which arose without human intervention, are natural ecosystems. They are 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, the balance between mortality and fertility. So, for example, the ecosystem "fox-hare." If the number of rabbit "livestock" is growing, then the number of predators will inevitably increase, so as not to allow the long-eared to destroy the producer plants. The latter, in turn, synthesize organic matter from inorganic counterparts in the process of well-known photosynthesis.
Ecosystem change. Artificial habitats for living creatures
Thus, any ecosystem by all means resists any factors leading to the disruption of its stable state. The fact is known that this base is all the more stable, the more the food network in it, the more options for duplication in it.
Any, whether aquatic or terrestrial ecosystems, change over time. So, for example, the numerous shells that we meet on the coasts of the seas: most of them have already died out due to their extermination by a mollusk called rapan.
Nowadays, artificially created ecosystems are also used - human-machines, human-business, and others. 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.