ecosystem

An interacting system of a biological community (biota) and its nonliving environment (abiota). A functioning community of nature that includes fauna and flora together with the chemical and physical environment with which they interact. Ecosystems vary greatly in size and characteristics; an ecosystem can be a mud puddle, a field or orchard, or a forest. An ecosystem provides a unit of biological study and can be a unit of management. A dynamic complex of plant, animal and microorganism communities and their non-living environment all interacting as a functional unit.

Authorization Path: 2.5.6.4.24.0