Five Basic Processes That Go
On in an Ecosystem

• An ecosystem is alive and dynamic. Although the same processes go on in all ecosystems, different species carry them out in each ecosystem. As ecosystems develop, the pathways become increasingly complex.

• All the activities that go on in ecosystems can be classified into five basic processes:

  Energy capture--Energy, organic materials, or living organisms that come into the ecosystem fuel all the life and activity. Trees and other plants bring energy into an ecosystem through photosynthesis. Animals that move into an ecosystem, such as deer walking into the forest, are also inputs.

  Production--The production of living organisms goes on constantly in every ecosystem. As trees carry out photosynthesis, they grow and become larger. When animals have babies and plants produce seeds, they produce new life.

  Storage-- Trees "store" wood in their trunks and other organic materials in their needles. The old-growth forest stores huge amounts of organic materials. The soil stores huge amounts of water.

  Recycling--When a fallen tree rots on the forest floor, or an animal dies and its body decays, then the organic materials are recycled in the ecosystem. These organic materials include nutrients and essential materials that become food or energy for the living organisms in the ecosystem.

  Flows--Some energy and resources leave the ecosystem. When a wildfire burns trees, much of the wood is consumed in the fire. Animals that leave the ecosystem, such as a spotted owl flying to another forest, are also outputs.