ecosystem

Some definitions of ecosystem:

1. An ecosystem is a geographic area where plants, animals, and other organisms, as well as weather and landscapes, work together to form a bubble of life. —— National Geographic Education

2. An ecosystem is the basic unit of the field of the scientific study of nature. According to this discipline, an ecosystem is a physically defined environment, made up of two inseparable components:

The biotope (abiotic): a particular physical environment with specific physical characteristics such as the climate, temperature, humidity, concentration of nutrients or pH.

The biocenosis (biotic): a set of living organisms such as animals, plants or micro-organisms, that are in constant interaction and are, therefore, in a situation of interdependence.

—— Ecosystem: Definition, Examples, Importance – All About Ecosystems

1. Ecosystem

All the living things in an area and the way they affect each other and the environment

Any complicated system consisting of many different people, processes, activities, etc., especially relating to technology, and the way that they affect each other.

—— Cambridge Dictionary

1. An ecosystem is all the plants and animals that live in a particular area together with the complex relationship that exists between them and their environment. —— Collins Dictionary

2. A limited space within which living beings interact with nonliving matter at a high level of interdependence to form an environmental unit is called an ecosystem. —— The Canadian Encyclopedia

3. Ecosystem, the complex of living organisms, their physical environment, and all their interrelationships in a particular unit of space. —— Britannica

4. An ecosystem is an ecological community comprised of biological, physical, and chemical components, considered as a unit. —— National Ocean Service

Misuse of the word ecosystem

We need to be more considerate with the use of the word ecosystem:

Simply, the word ecosystem is an abbreviation of the term, “ecological system.” In 1935, British botanist Arthur Tansley introduced the term ‘ecosystem’ to describe a community of organisms interacting with each other and their environments. In 1993, business strategist James F. Moore adopted this biological concept and compared the companies operating in the increasingly interconnected world of commerce to a community of organisms adapting and evolving to survive.

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Using the word ecosystem instead of the terms cluster, network or environment, feels like a buzzword hype, trying to replace the “old and boring” with something more “contemporary and exciting”. But this is wrong, because we are missing the key point here. The terms “cluster” or “network” or “organization” are somewhat static as they describe the mere presence of different assets in each system. An ecosystem, on the other hand, is about the dynamic interactions between all these parts of a larger scheme.

Is “ecosystem” the most overused word of the day?:

The term ecosystem is more synonymous with the natural sciences - a “community of living organisms in conjunction with the nonliving components of their environment, interacting as a system” (Tansley, 1934). However, today the word ecosystem is used in a variety of contexts from enterprise, to health to criminal justice.

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To me, the natural ecosystem is one of equilibrium. A biosphere of living conditions that support and evolve life. However, biospheres are closed with minimal input and output - a self-regulating cycle of naturally evolving ecology. Can we say the same for some of the contexts that the term is being applied to today, often suggesting a purposefully designed collection of factors? Making the use of the word for contemporary purpose, quite uncomfortable for some. Is it wrong to use something of naturally evolving roots or has the terminology itself further evolved to a new meaning?

So how does the use of the term change the way we view some of the challenges of the day?

By seeing enterprise as ecosystems we see a move in the narrative from the “hero” entrepreneur to view the enterprise as part of social structure, influenced by cultural values, market conditions, supports, capital etc - but also wider contexts such as education, equality, cultural capital, financial inclusion, health. In the case of criminal justice, ecosystems move the narrative to how wider society plays a role in reoffending - housing, health, community acceptance, employment - all play a part. This switching of a narrative suggests just as no man is an island, no business is too - a move from “ego” to “eco” as it will. It shows the reality of deep complexity and the need for joined-up multi-agenda approaches that are multi-faceted, cross-sectoral and layered.

On the Use and Misuse of the Term ‘Ecosystem’:

‘Ecosystem’, as proposed originally by A.G. Tansley (1935) and subsequently refined by N.B. Marshall (1986) regarding marine aspects, and by N. Polunin (1986) and others for global application, is a valuable scientific term that must have a definite meaning for its ecologist (as opposed to ecostasist etc.) users. It is not a mere smart- sounding catchword for any kind of system or quasi-system that, involving both living biota and inert components, may seem desirable to a would-be user needing a term that sounds learned or technical, and certainly should not be so employed.