An ecosystem is a natural unit consisting of all plants, animals and micro-organisms(biotic factors) in an area functioning together with all of the non-living physical (abiotic) factors of the environment. A terrarium can be considered as an ecosystem because it has plants, animals (mice, worms, bugs, insects, frogs), bacteria, and non-living physical factors (soil, rocks, leaf litter).
Actually, a terrarium is not an ecosystem. It is a habitat made so that a portion of the ecosystem for a particular specie is simulated on a smaller scale, with controls for environmental conditions. An ecosystem is in nature for biotic (living things) and abiotic (non living things) factors are present and are able to interact with another.
I know this is an old question, but in case new people look at the answer.... It could be considered a micro-ecosystem depending on the scale. An ecosystem is a collection of communities living in the same area. So I suppose you may have some small communities (perhaps a community in the soil and some deeper... then those in the plants). It includes the biotic (living or previously living things.. ex. plants, organic parts of the soil, dead leaves, microorganisms) as well as abiotic (non-living... ex. mineral parts of the soil, rocks, sand, air, water).
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An ecosystem is a natural unit consisting of all plants, animals and micro-organisms(biotic factors) in an area functioning together with all of the non-living physical (abiotic) factors of the environment. A terrarium can be considered as an ecosystem because it has plants, animals (mice, worms, bugs, insects, frogs), bacteria, and non-living physical factors (soil, rocks, leaf litter).
Terrarium Ecosystem
Actually, a terrarium is not an ecosystem. It is a habitat made so that a portion of the ecosystem for a particular specie is simulated on a smaller scale, with controls for environmental conditions. An ecosystem is in nature for biotic (living things) and abiotic (non living things) factors are present and are able to interact with another.
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I know this is an old question, but in case new people look at the answer.... It could be considered a micro-ecosystem depending on the scale. An ecosystem is a collection of communities living in the same area. So I suppose you may have some small communities (perhaps a community in the soil and some deeper... then those in the plants). It includes the biotic (living or previously living things.. ex. plants, organic parts of the soil, dead leaves, microorganisms) as well as abiotic (non-living... ex. mineral parts of the soil, rocks, sand, air, water).
because it has all the makings of an ecosystem.
a terrarium is a place where several populations will peacefully co-exist in the same habitat.