Ecosystems and environments fact sheet | Field of Mars EEC

What are ecosystems and environments?

Ecosystems and environments are places where living and non-living things interact. They can be as small as a puddle, log or garden bed, or as large as a forest, desert, wetland, ocean or city.

An ecosystem includes living things such as plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms, as well as non-living features such as water, air, sunlight, soil, rocks, temperature and nutrients. These parts are connected through feeding relationships, shelter, life cycles, decomposition and the movement of water, energy and nutrients.

An environment is the wider set of surroundings and conditions in a place. It can include natural features, built features and human activities. Environments include bushland, rivers, beaches, farms, cities, deserts, rainforests and marine areas.

Forest creeks, rocks, trees, water and leaf litter are all parts of an ecosystem in Gibraltar Range National Park.

Animals use different parts of coastal environments in Murramarang National Park for food, shelter, movement and safety.

How are ecosystems, habitats and environments different?

These words are connected, but they do not mean exactly the same thing.

A habitat is the place where a particular living thing lives. It provides the food, water, shelter, space and conditions that organism needs to survive. A tree hollow, leaf litter layer, pond, shrub, rock crevice or mangrove root system can all be habitats.

An ecosystem is larger than a single habitat. It includes many habitats, the organisms that live there and the non-living features that affect them. A eucalypt forest ecosystem may include tree habitats, shrub habitats, leaf litter habitats, rock and log habitats and water habitats.

An environment is the wider surroundings and conditions of a place. A river environment may include water, banks, floodplains, paths, bridges, parks, nearby roads, people, pollution sources and management actions, as well as the ecosystems and habitats found there.

Small plants can grow in rocky alpine and subalpine habitats in Kosciuszko National Park.

Where are ecosystems and environments found?

Ecosystems and environments are found everywhere on Earth. They occur on land, in freshwater, along coasts, underground, in the ocean and in built places such as towns and cities.

At Field of Mars Reserve and Lane Cove National Park, ecosystems and environments include bushland, eucalypt forest, creeks, wetlands, mangroves, saltmarsh and river environments. Across NSW, ecosystems and environments also include rainforests, woodlands, grasslands, heathlands, beaches, dunes, rocky shores, alpine areas, arid shrublands, farms and urban environments.

Across Australia, ecosystems also include deserts, tropical savannas, coral reefs, seagrass meadows, kelp forests, floodplains and island environments. Each has different living things, climate, soils, water availability and disturbance patterns.

Ecosystems and environments in Kosciuszko National Park include mountain streams, grasslands, rocky areas and alpine habitats.

What living and non-living features make up ecosystems and environments?

Living features are the organisms in an ecosystem. They include plants, animals, fungi, algae, bacteria and other microorganisms. Living things can be grouped by the roles they play, such as producers, consumers and decomposers.

Non-living features include sunlight, temperature, wind, rainfall, water, rocks, soil, minerals, air, salinity, tides, slope and landforms. These features affect which living things can survive in a place.

In a dry eucalypt forest, plants may need to survive shallow, sandy soil and dry conditions. In a mangrove forest, plants and animals must cope with salty water, tides and soft mud. In a desert environment, living things need adaptations for heat, dryness and limited water. In an alpine environment, living things must survive cold, frost, wind and sometimes snow.

Non-living features such as sunlight, sand, wind, salt spray and waves shape coastal ecosystems in Myall Lakes National Park.

What plants and animals live in different ecosystems and environments?

Different ecosystems support different communities of plants and animals. The species found in a place depend on the climate, water, soil, shelter, food, disturbance history and connections to nearby habitats.

Eucalypt forests and woodlands can support eucalypts, wattles, banksias, grasses, fungi, insects, spiders, reptiles, birds and mammals. Wetlands and rivers may support reeds, rushes, algae, dragonfly nymphs, frogs, fish, turtles and waterbirds. Coastal saltmarsh and mangrove forests can support salt-tolerant plants, crabs, fish, molluscs, insects and shorebirds.

Arid environments may include spinifex grasses, acacias, saltbushes, reptiles, birds, insects and small mammals. Marine environments may include algae, seagrasses, corals, fish, sea stars, molluscs, crustaceans, turtles and marine mammals. Urban environments may include street trees, gardens, lawns, parks, stormwater drains, birds, insects, spiders, possums, bats and introduced species.

Lyrebirds search through leaf litter in Wollemi National Park for insects, spiders and other small animals.

How do living things depend on ecosystems and environments?

Living things depend on ecosystems for food, water, shelter, breeding places and safe conditions for growth. Plants need sunlight, water, air, nutrients and suitable soil or surfaces. Animals need food, water, shelter and places to breed, nest, hide or move through.

Many living things depend on other species. Flowering plants may depend on insects, birds or mammals for pollination. Animals may depend on plants for food and shelter. Fungi, bacteria and invertebrates help break down dead material and return nutrients to the soil.

Ecosystems also depend on processes. Food chains and food webs move energy through living things. Decomposition recycles nutrients. Water cycles through soil, plants, waterways, clouds and rain. Fire, floods, storms, tides and seasonal changes can also shape ecosystems over time.

Predators, prey and other living things are connected through food chains and food webs.

Ecosystems and environments in NSW

New South Wales has many different ecosystems and environments. Some are close to Field of Mars Reserve and Lane Cove National Park, while others are found in very different parts of the state. These include forests, rainforests, alpine areas, arid environments, wetlands, rivers, coasts, marine environments, farms, towns and cities.

Many important ecosystems and environments are protected in national parks, nature reserves, state conservation areas, marine parks and other reserved lands. These places are managed to protect natural features, cultural heritage, plants, animals, habitats and visitor access. Management can include walking tracks, signs, education, weed and pest animal control, fire management, visitor rules, research, monitoring and working with Aboriginal Peoples and local communities.

Reserved lands such as Coolah Tops National Park help protect ecosystems, habitats, native species and cultural heritage.

Eucalypt forests and woodlands

Eucalypt forests and woodlands are common in many parts of NSW. They are dominated by eucalypt trees and often include shrubs, grasses, ground covers, leaf litter, fungi, insects, reptiles, birds and mammals.

These environments can be found in Lane Cove National Park, Field of Mars Reserve, Wollemi National Park and many other protected areas. In Wollemi National Park, eucalypt forests and woodlands grow across a large sandstone wilderness of cliffs, rock platforms, gorges, caves, creeks, dry ridges and sheltered rainforest pockets.

Reserved lands such as Wollemi National Park are managed to protect native plants and animals, threatened species, wilderness values, World Heritage values and visitor safety. Management can include weed and pest animal control, fire management, walking track maintenance, visitor education, research, monitoring and limits on access to fragile or remote areas.

Eucalypt forests and woodlands in Wollemi National Park can grow across sandstone landscapes with cliffs, gorges, creeks and sheltered habitats.

Rainforests

Rainforests are moist forest ecosystems with dense vegetation, shade-loving plants, vines, ferns, fungi and many invertebrates, birds and other animals.

Rainforest environments can be found in Dorrigo National Park and Barrington Tops National Park. Barrington Tops National Park protects rainforest, wet forest, eucalypt forest, subalpine woodland, grassland, swamp and river environments. It is managed to protect World Heritage values, cultural heritage, native species and visitor access.

Rainforests in Dorrigo National Park are moist, shaded ecosystems with dense plant growth, tall trees, vines and ferns.

Alpine and subalpine environments

Alpine and subalpine environments occur in cold mountain areas. They can include alpine herbfields, snow gum woodlands, wetlands, grasslands, rocky areas and mountain streams.

Kosciuszko National Park protects alpine, subalpine, montane forest, grassland, wetland, river and cave environments in the Snowy Mountains. The park is managed to protect sensitive native plants and animals, reduce damage from pest species, manage fire, maintain walking tracks and balance recreation with conservation.

Alpine and subalpine environments in Kosciuszko National Park include cold mountain habitats with wetlands, grasslands, rocky areas and hardy plants.

Arid and semi-arid environments

Arid and semi-arid environments are dry places where water is limited. They may include sand dunes, dry lake beds, grasslands, shrublands, saltbush and animals adapted to heat and dryness.

Mungo National Park protects an arid and semi-arid dry lake environment in the Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Area. It includes ancient lake beds, lunettes, sand formations and places of deep cultural significance for Aboriginal Peoples. Mungo is managed to protect natural and cultural heritage, support Aboriginal joint management, guide visitor access and care for fragile landforms.

Arid and semi-arid environments in Mungo National Park have dry soils, hardy plants and landforms shaped by wind, water and time.

Freshwater wetlands, rivers and lakes

Freshwater wetlands, rivers and lakes include still water, flowing water, reeds, sedges, river red gums, floodplains, frogs, fish, turtles, waterbirds and aquatic invertebrates.

These ecosystems can be found in Macquarie Marshes Nature Reserve, Myall Lakes National Park and many rivers and creeks across NSW. Wetlands and waterways are managed by protecting water quality, controlling weeds and pest animals, caring for native species and reducing damage to banks and wetland plants.

Freshwater wetlands, rivers and lakes in Myall Lakes National Park provide water, shelter and breeding habitat for many plants and animals.

Mangrove, saltmarsh and estuary environments

Mangrove, saltmarsh and estuary environments occur where freshwater and saltwater meet. They may include mangrove trees, saltmarsh plants, mudflats, seagrass, crabs, fish, molluscs and feeding birds.

These environments can be found at Towra Point Nature Reserve, Sydney Olympic Park and along parts of the Lane Cove River estuary. Management helps protect tidal wetlands, reduce pollution, care for shorebirds and maintain nursery habitat for fish and other animals.

Mangrove, saltmarsh and estuary environments along the Lane Cove River are tidal places where freshwater and saltwater meet.

Beaches, dunes and rocky shores

Beaches, dunes and rocky shores are coastal environments shaped by waves, tides, wind, sand movement and salt spray. They can include dune plants, shorebirds, crabs, molluscs, algae, rock pools and coastal heath.

These environments can be found in Royal National Park and Myall Lakes National Park. Management may include protecting dunes, guiding visitor access, keeping people away from sensitive nesting areas and reducing erosion.

Beaches, dunes and rocky shores in Crowdy Bay National Park are shaped by waves, tides, wind and salt spray.

Marine environments

Marine environments include ocean waters, reefs, islands, seagrass beds, kelp, fish, corals, crustaceans, molluscs, turtles and marine mammals.

These environments are protected in places such as Solitary Islands Marine Park, Cape Byron Marine Park and Jervis Bay Marine Park. Marine parks are managed to protect habitats and species while allowing carefully managed recreation, education and sustainable use.

Marine environments in Jervis Bay Marine Park include ocean waters, rocky shores, reefs, seagrass beds and many sea animals.

Urban and managed environments

Urban and managed environments include school grounds, parks, gardens, streets, stormwater systems, farms and restored bushland. They contain built features as well as living things.

Sydney Olympic Park, Centennial Parklands and local school habitat gardens are examples of managed environments where people can protect biodiversity by planting local native species, improving habitat, managing water, reducing weeds and caring for green spaces.

Urban and managed environments can support biodiversity when they include native plants, habitat features and connected green spaces.

Farms and agricultural environments

Farms and agricultural environments are managed places where people grow crops, raise animals or produce food and fibre. They can include paddocks, dams, shelterbelts, soil organisms, pasture plants, insects, birds and waterways.

Agricultural environments in the Central West, Riverina and Hunter Valley show how people use land for food production while also managing soil, water, vegetation and habitat.

Farms and agricultural environments are managed places where people grow food and care for soil, water and vegetation.

Why NSW ecosystems and environments matter

These NSW examples show that ecosystems and environments can be very different, but they all include living and non-living features. They are shaped by climate, water, landforms, soils, plants, animals and people.

Protecting ecosystems and environments helps care for biodiversity, cultural heritage, water, soil and places where people can learn, visit and connect with nature.

Protecting ecosystems and environments in places such as Mount Kaputar National Park helps care for biodiversity, cultural heritage, water, soil and places for people to learn.

How do Aboriginal Peoples care for ecosystems and environments?

Aboriginal Peoples have cared for Country for thousands of years. Country includes lands, waters, skies, plants, animals, people, ancestors, stories, responsibilities and cultural knowledge. Knowledge is local and belongs to the Traditional Custodians of each place.

Across Australia, Aboriginal Peoples use careful observation, seasonal knowledge and cultural responsibilities to care for ecosystems and environments. This can include caring for waterways, protecting important plants and animals, managing fire, maintaining cultural sites and passing knowledge between generations.

In the Sydney region, Darug and other Sydney Aboriginal Peoples have long relationships with local forests, rivers, wetlands, estuaries and coastal environments. Learning about ecosystems should include respect for local Aboriginal knowledge, language, cultural protocols and ongoing connections to Country.

Baiame’s Ngunnhu, the Brewarrina fish traps, shows how Aboriginal Peoples have long cared for and managed river environments.

Why are ecosystems and environments important?

Ecosystems and environments support life. They provide air, water, food, shelter, soil, shade, pollination, seed dispersal, nutrient cycling and places for living things to breed and grow.

Healthy ecosystems help clean water, store carbon, cool local areas, reduce erosion and protect shorelines. Wetlands can filter water and hold floodwater. Forests can provide shade, habitat and leaf litter. Coastal ecosystems can help buffer waves and stabilise sediments.

Environments are also important for people. They support learning, recreation, culture, wellbeing, food production, tourism and scientific research. Learning about ecosystems helps people understand how living and non-living features connect and how better decisions can protect environments into the future.

Healthy environments in Kosciuszko National Park support plants, animals, learning, recreation and wellbeing.

What threatens ecosystems and environments?

Ecosystems and environments can be affected by land clearing, habitat fragmentation, weeds, pest animals, pollution, poor water quality, changed fire patterns, erosion, overuse, trampling, rubbish and climate change.

Different ecosystems face different threats. Wetlands and rivers can be affected by stormwater pollution, weeds and changes to water flow. Forests and woodlands can be affected by clearing, too much or too little fire, weeds and feral animals. Coastal environments can be affected by erosion, sea level rise, pollution and disturbance of nesting or feeding animals.

Climate change can affect ecosystems by changing temperature, rainfall, fire weather, droughts, floods, storms, sea levels and ocean temperatures. These changes can make it harder for some species to survive in places where they once lived.

Fire can shape ecosystems in Kosciuszko National Park, but severe or frequent fires can damage habitats and make recovery harder.

How can you help protect ecosystems and environments?

You can help protect ecosystems by observing carefully, staying on tracks, leaving plants and animals where they are, taking rubbish home and keeping waterways clean.

At school or home, you can plant local native species, keep leaf litter and logs where safe, create small habitat gardens, avoid pesticides, save water, reduce waste and stop garden plants escaping into bushland. Cats should be kept contained and dogs should be kept under control, especially near bushland, wetlands and shorebird areas.

Students can also help by learning about local ecosystems, recording observations, asking good questions and sharing what they learn. Caring for environments begins with understanding how living things, non-living features and people are connected.

Staying on tracks in Blue Mountains National Park helps protect fragile plants, soils and habitats.

Explore more

Use the fact sheet links on this page to learn more about ecosystems, environments, habitats and living things.

You can also compare ecosystems and environments with habitats, plants and animal groups that live in different places.

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