ecosystemincluding

The phrase ecosystemincluding is not a standard term in ecology. It is sometimes used to describe an approach that emphasizes an inclusive view of ecosystems, explicitly including all components and interactions within and surrounding an ecosystem, rather than focusing solely on biotic components. The term highlights the integration of ecological, social, and governance dimensions.

The concept encompasses a range of components, including biotic factors (plants, animals, microorganisms), abiotic factors (water, soil, climate), ecosystem services (provisioning, regulating, supporting, cultural), and human elements such as communities, institutions, culture, knowledge systems, economic activities, and policy frameworks. Interactions span energy flow, nutrient cycling, food webs, pollination networks, and human-environment relationships that shape ecosystem structure and function.

Methods associated with ecosystemincluding emphasize holistic assessment and integration. This includes evaluating ecosystem structure and function, mapping services, social-ecological systems analysis, stakeholder engagement, participatory mapping, and the use of models and geographic information systems. It also involves resilience thinking, adaptive management, and life-cycle perspectives to capture dynamic changes over time and space.

Applications of an ecosystemincluding approach appear in planning and conservation, restoration, urban design, climate adaptation, natural-resource management, and sustainable development strategies that consider ecological integrity alongside social and economic objectives.

Challenges include definitional ambiguity, data gaps, and difficulties valuing non-market services. Balancing trade-offs, reconciling cultural and epistemological differences, governance fragmentation, and scaling issues can complicate implementation. Related topics include ecosystems, ecosystem services, and social-ecological systems.