selfsubsisting

Selfsubsisting is an adjective used to describe a system, organism, or process that can sustain itself without ongoing external inputs once initial conditions are set. In ecological, economic, and philosophical contexts, the term signals a degree of autonomy, resilience, or self-reliance, where internal mechanisms support maintenance, growth, or reproduction.

The form is a compound of self and subsist, with subsist tracing to Latin subsistere meaning "to stand under" or "to endure." In modern English, the more common adjectives are self-sustaining, self-sufficient, or autonomous; selfsubsisting is relatively rare and tends to appear in theoretical or literary prose to emphasize endogenous maintenance.

In ecology, self-subsisting systems rely primarily on internal energy sources and nutrient recycling. Examples include closed or semi-closed ecosystems, perennial plant communities, and microbial communities that maintain biomass and function with limited external input. In economics or anthropology, the term can describe communities or strategies aimed at reducing dependency on external resources, or individuals pursuing self-reliance as a principle.

Related concepts include self-sustaining, subsistence, autarky, and autonomy. While closely related to these terms, selfsubsisting emphasizes ongoing internal maintenance rather than mere avoidance of external inputs.