Ecosystem

The word “ecosystem” isshort for ecological（生态的）system. An ecosystem is whereliving creatures expand within a given area. You can say that an ecosystem isthe

natural environmentwhere biological organisms（生物）such as plants,animals and humans co-exist in this world. Sonaturally that includes you and me. Yes,we are all

members of an ecosystem!

2 .There aredifferent kinds of ecosystems depending on the type of surface or environ-ment.Most are naturally made such as the ocean or lake and the desert or

rainforest.Some areman-made or artificial to encourage co-habitation（同居）between living and non-living things in a monitoredenvironment,such as a zoo or garden.

3 .Plants make upthe biggest group of biological creatures within an ecosystem,and that'sbecause they are the natural food producers for everyone. Plants raised in theearth

need air and collectsunlight to help them grow. When they grow,the plants and its fruits or flowerseventually become a source of food to animals,microorganisms（微生

物）and even hu-mans,of course. Food is then converted to energy for the rest of us tofunction,and this hap-pens in a never-ending cycle until the living creaturesdie and

break up back in theearth.

4 .Ecosystems arethe basis of survival for all living things.We depend on plants and ani-malsfor food. In order for us to exist,we need to grow and care about other

organisms. We alsoneed to care for the non-living things within our environment like our air andwater so we can continue living as a population. Since plants,animals and

humans are all ofvarious species（物种）,we allplay a role in maintaining the ecosystem.

5 .To preserve ourecosystems,we should stop using too much energy,which happens when we consumemore than our share of resources. Humans should not disturb the

natural habitat（栖息地）of plants and animals,and allowthem to grow healthily for the cycle to con-tinue. Too many people in a habitatcan mean displacement（搬迁）:

imagine being thrownout of your home because there is no more space for everyone.Worse,overpopulation can also ru- in the environment and cause destruction ofexisting

plants and animals.Plants,animals andhumans are all effective in______.

A.our share ofresources

B. a biologicalcreature

C. a given area

D. the maintenanceof the ecosystem

E. the source offood