Ecosystems
"In many environments, take away the ants and there would be partial collapses in many of the land ecosystems." - EO Wilson
As your previously learned, the abiotic components of an ecosystem support the life functions of the biotic components of an ecosystem. The living-organisms within the system are a part of the community and are constantly interacting with one and other to obtain resources such as food, water, sunlight, or habitat.
There are six classifications of interactions within the community of the ecosystem: commensalism, competition, mutualism, parasitism, and predation. Each of the living organisms has a role to play to help sustain their ecosystem.
There are six classifications of interactions within the community of the ecosystem: commensalism, competition, mutualism, parasitism, and predation. Each of the living organisms has a role to play to help sustain their ecosystem.
The more we are able to understand the history of individual ecosystems, the more we are able to learn about natural ecosystems. Historical ecology also lends itself to determining if we should restore them to what them to their natural state. The historical data is able to reveal the effects that human activity has had on individual systems. Activities such as livestocks, fire suppression, and tree harvesting. The historical data also reveals the effects that natural events, drought & diseases, can effect the ecosystem over time.
Connections
Using your knowledge of biomes, how do you think ecosystems are related to them?
Using your knowledge of biomes, how do you think ecosystems are related to them?