The ecosystem: biodiversity and interconnectedness
Life is sustained by the relationships between organisms and their environment. The illustration brings together groups of living beings, environments and physical factors: together, they form a web of relationships we can explore.
Choose a symbol and follow its connections.
Representatives of the web of life, in Anima Mundi’s visual language. The arrows show the direction of the relationships explained in the panel.
Understanding biodiversity
Life, in all its forms and connections.
Biodiversity is the variety of life within species, between species and across ecosystems. An ecosystem comprises communities of organisms and their abiotic environment, interacting together.
The illustration brings together groups of organisms, environments and physical elements. Water, light and tides shape the conditions in which life develops.
Solar energy encourages evaporation and powers photosynthesis. Plants and phytoplankton use light to produce organic matter, through which energy enters many food webs and sustains living beings that depend on one another.
Environment and context
Light reaches the land and the surface layers of water.
The connection with water
Solar heat helps liquid water turn into vapour.
Connections in the web
Energy for evaporation Solar heating encourages evaporation, a stage in the water cycle.
Light for photosynthesis Leaves use light energy, water and carbon dioxide to produce organic matter.
Light for phytoplankton Phytoplankton use light in the sunlit layers of water, sustaining aquatic food webs.
Photosynthesis in herbaceous plants Light provides the energy for photosynthesis in plants growing in grasslands and clearings.
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Substance and medium for life · abiotic element
Water
Water circulates between the atmosphere, soil, ground, rivers and ocean, sometimes changing state. It connects habitats, transports substances and takes part in the processes of living organisms, while its availability and quality influence the conditions in which life can exist.
Environment and context
In the atmosphere, on land, below ground and in aquatic environments.
The connection with water
Precipitation, infiltration, flow and evaporation connect the planet’s water stores.
Connections in the web
Aquatic habitat Water conditions, including oxygen, temperature and salinity, influence which fish species can live in a habitat.
From the catchment to the sea Rivers and some groundwater carry water towards the ocean.
Water and health People depend on safe water and on the ecosystems that sustain water resources.
Habitats and life stages Many amphibians use fresh water for reproduction or development, although some species have no aquatic larvae.
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Gravitational influence · abiotic element
The Moon
The Moon’s gravitational pull, together with the Sun’s, contributes to tides. The rise and fall of the tide periodically changes conditions along the shore, covering or exposing areas that many living beings use as habitats and feeding grounds.
Environment and context
Tides are most visible in marine and coastal environments.
The connection with water
The influence shown here concerns sea level and tidal currents.
Connections in the web
The rhythm of the tides Tidal forces contribute to periodic changes in sea level and to tidal currents.
Access to the shore Tides change some fish species’ access to feeding areas close to the shore.
Indirect connection
Food at low tide The falling tide exposes shoreline areas where wading birds can find food.
Indirect connection
Sources and context·
Terrestrial ecosystem
The forest
The forest connects soil, water and the atmosphere, providing food and shelter for many organisms. Roots, fallen leaves and vegetation influence infiltration and erosion, while trees take up water and release it back into the atmosphere through transpiration.
Environment and context
Trees, shrubs, soils and many organisms form forest habitats.
The connection with water
Forests influence water movement and quality; their effect on water flows depends on local conditions.
Connections in the web
Soil and water movement Forest vegetation and soils can limit erosion and the transport of sediment into water.
Shade along riverbanks Riverside trees can keep water cooler and supply organic matter to the river’s food web.
Shelter and food Trees and shrubs provide many birds with places to feed and nest.
Carbon for fungal partners Trees associated with mycorrhizal fungi supply them with carbohydrates produced through photosynthesis.
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Plants · producers, food and habitats
Flowers and herbaceous plants
Flowering plants and herbaceous vegetation produce organic matter through photosynthesis and provide food or shelter for other living beings. For many species, relationships with pollinating insects support reproduction, while roots and plant cover help stabilise the soil and shape how water enters it or runs off.
Environment and context
Grasslands, clearings, forest edges and riverside areas, with species adapted to local conditions.
The connection with water
Vegetation and roots can limit erosion and encourage infiltration, with effects that depend on the soil and rainfall.
Connections in the web
Light for growth Plants use light energy in photosynthesis, together with water and carbon dioxide.
Nectar and pollen Flowers provide food resources for some pollinating insects, depending on the species and season.
Pollen transfer By visiting flowers, pollinating insects can transfer pollen and support the reproduction of many plants.
Vegetation, soil and infiltration Roots and plant cover can reduce erosion and slow water run-off, encouraging infiltration under certain conditions.
Indirect connection
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Aquatic producers · functional group
Algae and phytoplankton
Algae and phytoplankton use light and nutrients to produce organic matter, sustaining many aquatic food webs. They are essential to ecosystems, but under certain conditions some populations can grow excessively, reducing the oxygen or light available to other organisms; effects vary between species and habitats.
Environment and context
Fresh, brackish and marine waters, in areas with suitable light and nutrient conditions.
The connection with water
The availability of light and nutrients influences growth; some blooms can affect water quality and other living beings.
Connections in the web
Energy for photosynthesis Sunlight reaches the sunlit layers of water and is used by phytoplankton for photosynthesis.
The foundation of food webs Algae support fish through the food web, often through the invertebrates that consume them.
Indirect connection
The balance of aquatic life Some algal blooms can deplete oxygen, block light or produce toxins; their effects depend on the species involved and the water conditions.
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Kingdom Fungi · decomposers and root partners
Fungi and mushrooms
Visible mushrooms are one part of the world of fungi. Many fungi break down plant remains and contribute to nutrient cycling. Some species form mycorrhizal associations with roots: the plant supplies carbon compounds, while the fungi can improve its access to water and nutrients. Other fungi become food for small soil organisms.
Environment and context
In soil, leaf litter and wood, including around plant roots.
The connection with water
Moisture influences fungal activity; some mycorrhizal associations improve water uptake by the partner plant.
Connections in the web
Mycorrhizae and roots Certain fungi associated with roots can help trees take up water and nutrients; the plant supplies carbon derived from photosynthesis.
Moisture for activity Moisture, temperature and soil conditions influence the activity of fungal communities and other microorganisms.
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Microorganisms · decomposition and nutrient cycling
Bacteria
Bacteria take part in processes that are largely unseen, yet essential to ecosystems. Many break down organic matter, while certain groups transform nitrogen compounds. Around roots, compounds released by plants feed microbial communities. Their activity and effects depend on the species, resources and local conditions, including water and oxygen.
Environment and context
In soil, around roots and within the microbial communities of water and sediments.
The connection with water
In wetlands, certain bacteria convert nitrates into nitrogen gas when oxygen and carbon conditions are suitable.
Connections in the web
Roots that feed microbes Living roots release sugars and other organic compounds that feed bacteria in the surrounding area, known as the rhizosphere.
Nitrogen transformations Denitrifying bacteria can convert nitrates in wetlands into nitrogen gas. The process depends on local conditions and the availability of carbon.
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Invertebrate animals · pollinators and links in food webs
Insects
Insects connect flowers, soil and water with many other living beings. Some carry pollen between flowers; others break up plant remains or feed on other organisms. The aquatic larvae and adults of some species feed fish and birds. The diversity of insects in a river can offer clues to the water’s biological condition.
Environment and context
On land, in vegetation and soil; many species have aquatic larvae or nymphs.
The connection with water
For species with aquatic stages, water conditions are part of their life cycle; sensitivity to pollution varies between species.
Connections in the web
Pollination Bees, butterflies, some flies and other insects carry pollen and support the reproduction of many flowering plants.
Larvae that feed fish The larvae of stoneflies, mayflies and other aquatic insects provide food for many fish.
From water to birds Birds eat insects such as mayflies and caddisflies, transferring energy from the aquatic food web to the land.
Habitat for larvae Many insects live in water as larvae or nymphs. Community composition reflects, among other factors, the species’ tolerance of pollution.
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Group of aquatic organisms
Fish
Fish take part in food webs as prey, consumers or predators. Through feeding, excretion and decomposition, they influence nutrient cycling; the effects vary between species, populations and habitats.
Environment and context
Fresh, brackish or marine waters, depending on the species.
The connection with water
Fish temporarily store nutrients in their bodies and can release some of them into the water.
Connections in the web
Nutrient cycling Fish excretion and decomposition can return nutrients to the water for use by other organisms.
Food for birds Fish provide food for fish-eating birds, connecting the webs of life in water and on land.
Food for dolphins Many dolphins eat fish alongside other marine organisms.
From producers to fish Phytoplankton sustain food webs in which small consumers are eaten by fish.
Indirect connection
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Vertebrate animals · frogs, newts and salamanders
Amphibians
Amphibians take part in food webs both as predators of insects and other small animals and as prey for other living beings. Many species connect aquatic and terrestrial habitats throughout their lives, while their permeable skin and habitat requirements can make them sensitive to environmental change.
Environment and context
Fresh waters, wetlands, forests and other microhabitats suited to each species.
The connection with water
The quality, availability and seasonal patterns of water influence many species, whose life cycles vary with species and habitat.
Connections in the web
Water and life stages For many species, water supports reproduction and larval development; others develop directly or remain aquatic.
Food for adults Many adult amphibians eat insects, connecting invertebrate and vertebrate populations.
Microhabitats and shelter The forest’s moist, sheltered microhabitats can support amphibians, although their precise requirements vary between species.
Prey for some snakes Frogs and salamanders are food for some snakes where these species coexist.
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Vertebrate animals · lizards, snakes and turtles
Reptiles
Reptiles, such as lizards, snakes and turtles, take part in food webs as predators, herbivores or prey, depending on the species. Some lizards eat insects, and some reptiles use aquatic or riverside habitats, so protecting them means preserving a diversity of places to feed and shelter.
Environment and context
Terrestrial, riverside, freshwater or marine habitats, depending on the species.
The connection with water
Some species use water as a habitat and feeding ground, while others live mainly on land.
Connections in the web
Food for lizards Insects provide food for many lizards; this relationship connects small prey with their consumers.
Aquatic and riverside habitats Ponds, rivers and wetlands provide habitats and feeding grounds for some turtles and snakes, depending on the species.
Prey for some snakes Some snakes eat frogs or salamanders; the connection depends on the species that coexist in the habitat.
Food for birds of prey Some reptiles are eaten by birds of prey, continuing the transfer of energy through the food web.
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Group of organisms
Birds
Birds connect habitats through movement and feeding. Some disperse seeds, others eat insects or fish, while seabird colonies can transport nutrients between sea and land; these roles vary greatly from one species to another.
Environment and context
Forests, wetlands, shores and oceans, depending on the species.
The connection with water
In certain coastal areas, seabirds transfer nutrients to the land and nearby waters.
Connections in the web
Seed dispersal Some birds carry seeds, helping vegetation regenerate.
Dependence on food For fish-eating birds, the availability of fish influences their food resources.
Nutrient transfer Seabird colonies can bring nutrients into coastal waters, with effects that depend on location and quantity.
Food from the river Birds that eat aquatic insects use a food resource connecting the river with the surrounding habitats.
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Land mammals · represented by a deer
Land mammals
Land animals take part in food webs and use vegetation for food or shelter. Herbivores, such as the deer shown here, can alter tree regeneration and habitat structure, depending on population density and local conditions.
Environment and context
The deer represents wildlife that uses forests and neighbouring vegetation.
The connection with water
The connection with water shown here is indirect, through effects on vegetation and soil.
Connections in the web
Feeding and regeneration Herbivores eat leaves, buds and young trees; intense browsing pressure can limit forest regeneration.
Altered habitat Changes to the shrub layer can alter birds’ shelter and nesting sites.
Indirect connection
Through vegetation and soil Changes in vegetation can indirectly influence the processes through which soil and plants protect water.
Indirect connection
Sources and context·
Marine mammals and their environment
Dolphins and the ocean
Dolphins are predators connected through food to other marine organisms. The ocean they inhabit is both a living environment and a store of heat, redistributed by currents, with important influences on weather and climate.
Environment and context
Marine dolphins use coastal or oceanic waters, depending on the species.
The connection with water
Evaporation from the ocean’s surface transfers water into the atmosphere, where it can contribute to precipitation.
Connections in the web
Ocean and atmosphere Water evaporated from the ocean enters the cycle connecting the sea, atmosphere and land.
Prey and predator Fish are a food source for many dolphins within a wider marine food web.
Climate and communities The storage and redistribution of heat through the ocean influence the climate of inhabited regions.
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Part of ecosystems
People
Human health and livelihoods depend on water, food and ecosystem functions. Our choices can degrade these relationships through pollution and overexploitation, or support conservation, habitat restoration and the responsible use of resources.
Environment and context
Human communities use and transform terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
The connection with water
Reducing pollution and restoring aquatic ecosystems are practical ways to protect our relationship with water.
Connections in the web
Pollution or restoration Excess nutrients can encourage algal growth and reduce oxygen, while habitat restoration aims to recover ecosystem functions.
Conservation and restoration Protecting and restoring terrestrial habitats can support biodiversity and ecosystem functions.
Pressures on dolphins Bycatch, pollution and habitat disturbance affect dolphins; reducing these pressures supports their protection.
Caring for soil life Reducing soil disturbance and compaction, and maintaining plant resources, influence the habitat of bacteria that break down organic matter.
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CBD · Biodiversity
Convention on Biological Diversity — Article 2. Use of Terms
Defines biodiversity, ecosystems and habitats.
The definition includes diversity within species, between species and across ecosystems.
Together, for people and nature