Ecosystem
An ecosystem is a natural set of living organisms (plants and animals) that interact with each other and have adapted to the environment in which they coexist.
An ecosystem can be defined as:
- An open system , which allows exchanges with the external environment thanks to the flow of energy and the exchange of matter and energy between biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) elements;
- Interconnected with other ecosystems;
- Heterogeneous , formed by an abiotic (non-living) component and a biotic (living) one;
- Consisting of a dynamic equilibrium , characterized by different physical-chemical feedback mechanisms.
The set of living organisms in an ecosystem can also be defined as a community, and a community is in turn the set of several populations. A population is made up of organisms belonging to the same species.