ökosüsteeme

An ecosystem is a complex and dynamic network of living organisms interacting with their physical environment. It includes biotic components such as plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms, and abiotic factors such as sunlight, water, minerals, temperature, and climate. The essential features of an ecosystem are energy flow and matter cycling: energy from the sun enters through photosynthesis and moves through the food web, while nutrients are recycled by decomposition and other processes.

Ecosystems have structure and function. They comprise communities and populations, directed by trophic interactions, symbiotic relationships, and habitat characteristics. They are characterized by their biodiversity, productivity, and resilience, and they change over time through succession and disturbances. Disturbances such as fires, floods, storms, or human activities can reshape ecosystems, but many systems recover and adapt via feedbacks that stabilize them at new states.

Ecosystems vary widely in size and type, from forests, wetlands, deserts, and oceans to grasslands and urban greenspaces. They differ in scale, from microhabitats to regional landscapes, and in degree of connectivity with other ecosystems. The concept emphasizes the interdependence of organisms with each other and with their abiotic surroundings.

Ecosystem services are the benefits people obtain from ecosystems, commonly grouped into provisioning (food, water, medicine), regulating (climate, flood control, disease regulation), supporting (pollination, soil formation, nutrient cycling), and cultural (recreation, aesthetics, inspiration). Human activities can degrade ecosystems through habitat loss, pollution, invasive species, and climate change. Conservation and restoration efforts seek to protect biodiversity and maintain ecosystem functions.

The study of ökosüsteeme spans ecology, geography, and environmental science, and informs policy, land management, and sustainable development. Understanding how ecosystems function and respond to change helps societies balance needs with the health of natural systems.