What is a Natural Ecosystem?
Last Updated : 17 Apr, 2025
Natural ecosystems are self-sustaining and do not require human intervention. Natural Ecosystems are the outcome of interactions between living things and their surroundings. A few examples are lakes, woods, oceans, and deserts. A natural ecosystem is a big, interconnected community where plants, animals, and the environment work together to create a balanced environment.
The components of an ecosystem are related directly and indirectly. In this article, we will read about natural ecosystems, their components, examples, types, and the differences between natural and artificial ecosystems.
What is an Ecosystem?
An ecosystem is a community of living organisms like plants and animals and their environment. It includes the soil, air, and water. These components interact with each other and create a sustainable environment where life can thrive. Biotic components include plants, animals, and other living components. Abiotic components include rainfall, minerals, temperature, soil, air, and water, etc.
What is a Natural Ecosystem?
A natural ecosystem is a group of living and non-living creatures that interact with one another through biological, physical, and chemical processes. The formation of natural ecosystems is completely natural and unaffected by human action. An ecosystem in the natural world is self-sufficient. A forest, for example, is home to both herbivores and carnivores. Natural ecosystems can be divided into three categories: marine, aquatic, and terrestrial. Compared to most managed agroecosystems, natural ecosystems contain more species variety and niches.
Components of Natural Ecosystem
Every ecosystem possesses four components which are responsible for its functioning. These components are
Also Read: Components of Ecosystem
Examples of Natural Ecosystems
A few examples of Natural Ecosystems are:
Forest Ecosystems
The dense canopies of trees in a forest which has 31% of the total land on the Earth have a variety of birds and insects which form forest ecosystems. The examples are Amazon Rainforest and the Boreal Forest.
Aquatic Ecosystems
Aquatic ecosystems include both marine and freshwater. Some examples are coral reefs and marine animals. Water covers 75% of Earth’s surface.
Desert Ecosystems
Deserts seem barren but they are home to many flora and fauna which have adapted to harsh conditions of a desert. The Sahara Desert and the Sonoran Desert are examples of desert ecosystems. Desert ecosystems can be hot or cold. Therefore vegetation and animals both are less.
Types of Ecosystems
Ecosystems have their unique set of characteristics and some major types of ecosystems are:
Natural Ecosystem
A natural ecosystem is a self-sustaining ecosystem in which both living and non-living entities occur freely in nature. It doesn't require the intervention of humans.
- Desert Ecosystems: Desert Ecosystems are characterized by arid conditions and minimal precipitation. Plants like cactus and animals like camels have evolved to adapt to these harsh environments.
- Polar Ecosystems: Polar Ecosystems are found in the extreme cold regions. These ecosystems include the Arctic and Antarctic. Some examples of animals found in polar ecosystems are polar bears, penguins and seals.
Human-Made Ecosystem
In human-made ecosystems, the biotic and abiotic components are made to interact with each other for their survival. A human-made environment requires intervention from humans for its survival.
- Urban Ecosystems: Human-made environments such as cities and towns from urban ecosystems. These areas may lack the biodiversity of natural ecosystems but they show the adaptability of some species to urban living.
Natural vs. Artificial Ecosystems
Natural Ecosystems develop organically whereas artificial ecosystems are created by humans. Gardens, parks and aquariums are examples of artificial ecosystems. Human-made ecosystems have various purposes but they lack the resilience of natural ecosystems. A natural ecosystem has more diverse species than an artificial ecosystem. An artificial ecosystem requires the intervention of humans for its sustenance but on the other hand, a natural ecosystem is self-sustaining.
Classification of Ecosystem
The ecosystems are divided into Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems:
Terrestrial Ecosystems
Terrestrial ecosystems exist on land and include forests, grasslands, deserts and Tundras. They are home to many plant and animal life which have adapted to specific terrestrial conditions.
- Desert Ecosystem: It exists in both arctic and tropical regions. The precipitation is very low and flora is very rare.
- Forest Ecosystem: It is classified based on climate i.e. temperate, tropical and boreal. The environment is humid and the trees are tall.
- Grassland Ecosystem: It is found in tropical and temperate regions, for example, prairies, savannas and steppes. The prevalent feature is semi-aridity.
Aquatic Ecosystems
Aquatic ecosystems include both freshwater and marine environments. Aquatic ecosystems include lakes, rivers, oceans and estuaries. Water covers 75% of Earth’s surface.
- Marine Ecosystem: It is an ecosystem which contains saltwater. It is the biggest ecosystem on earth.
- Freshwater Ecosystem: This ecosystem contains consumable fresh water. Examples are ponds, lakes, rivers and springs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, natural ecosystems are the interaction of living and non-living elements of our planet. Understanding the diversity of ecosystems is crucial for the health of the Earth. The ecosystem is important for the continuity of life. Natural ecosystems can survive without the help of humans and thus are known as self-sustaining. Interruptions from humans in natural ecosystems can cause disruptions in the whole process.
Also Read:
Similar Reads
What are Ecosystem Maps in Design? The ecosystem of an object therein consists of an ecosystem map. Suppose we are journeying to find the overview of a system or environment – these maps come into play. They double as visual tools that will unveil how siblings or elements vary in a given environment. Imagine entities as people in the
5 min read
What are Environment and Ecosystem? Difference Between Environment and Ecosystem: The environment is the surrounding area, whereas the ecosystem is the interaction between the environment and living species. The environment is the place in which living beings exist. The ecosystem is the community in which biotic and abiotic factors in
4 min read
What is the Role of Decomposers in Ecosystem? Answer: Decomposers recycle nutrients, enhance soil fertility, balance the carbon cycle, detoxify environments, and support food webs.Decomposers play a vital role in ecosystems by breaking down dead organisms, waste products, and other non-living organic matter, transforming them into simple, inorg
1 min read
Why is Ecosystem so Important? The ecosystem is important for several reasons: Biodiversity: Ecosystems support a wide species of plant, animal, and microbial species, contributing to genetic diversity and ecological resilience. This diversity ensures the stability and adaptability of ecosystems to changing environmental conditio
2 min read
Energy Flow of Ecosystem The energy flowof ecosystem means the pathway energy takes to move from one organism to another in an ecosystem. The energy flow of an ecosystem is a fundamental concept of ecological studies. The direction of flow of energy in an ecosystem is unidirectional and is typically in the form of food ener
8 min read