Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Ecosystem ecology is the study of interactions among organisms and their physical environment as an integrated system. It examines how energy flows and nutrients cycle through ecosystems, influencing their structure and function.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Ecosystem ecology focuses on both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components.
Energy flow in ecosystems typically follows a unidirectional path from primary producers to various consumers.
Nutrient cycling involves the continual exchange of elements like carbon and nitrogen between organisms and their environment.
Ecologists often use models to understand complex ecosystem dynamics.
Human activities such as deforestation and pollution can significantly alter ecosystem processes.
Factors in an ecosystem that involve living organisms, including plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms
Abiotic Factors: Non-living chemical and physical parts of the environment that affect living organisms, such as sunlight, temperature, and soil composition
Trophic Levels: The hierarchical levels in an ecosystem, comprising producers at the base followed by primary consumers, secondary consumers, and tertiary consumers