Ekosistemin

Ekosistemin is the Estonian genitive form of ekosüsteem and is used in academic writing to refer to the ecosystem or to aspects belonging to the ecosystem. An ecosystem comprises living organisms—plants, animals, fungi, microorganisms—and their physical environment, interacting as a system through energy flows and material cycles. It includes biotic components and abiotic factors such as air, water, soil, climate, and nutrients.

The structure and processes of an ekosistemin are organized through energy capture by primary producers, typically photosynthetic plants, algae, and some bacteria, which support herbivores and higher trophic levels. Decomposers recycle organic matter, returning nutrients to the environment and sustaining productivity. Energy and matter move through food webs, while cycles of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and other elements maintain system function across time and space.

Biodiversity and organization contribute to ecosystem function and resilience. A variety of species and habitats creates niches and stabilizes interactions, enabling ecosystems to adapt to changing conditions and recover after disturbances such as fires, floods, or human impacts.

Ecosystem services are a central concept in ekosistemin study. These services include provisioning (food, water, materials), regulating (climate regulation, flood control, pollination, disease management), supporting (soil formation, nutrient cycling), and cultural or recreational benefits.

Disturbances and change shape ecosystems, with outcomes depending on resilience, connectivity, and management. Conservation and sustainable management aim to maintain biodiversity and services through protected areas, restoration, and practices that reduce negative human impacts.

Examples from Estonia include forests, wetlands, coastal ecosystems, and urban green spaces, each sustaining distinct communities and functional energy and nutrient flows.