Ecological Core: the necessary natural constraints inherent in water, energy, atmosphere and landscape, together with vegetation and wildlife.

AKA: An ecological model of three concentric relations:

core versus the periphery

ecological core is | model of wealth & worldviews | ecosystems are? | landscapes change

Land, Labor & Worldview.

see also: ecomod.htm

ecological core is | model of wealth & worldviews | ecosystems are? | landscapes change

An ecosystem, or ecological system as a set of biophysical conditions where energy is converted into matter in a particular area over time by the inhabitants, usually prokaryotic and eukaryotic bacteria and plants.

Both halves, the habitat and the biological community, function together as a unit providing a source of wealth, stability and essential services.

1. wealth
1. resources such as fish, gold, oil, diamonds, domestic animals.
2. real estate, property, mineral or water rights
3. waterfalls exhibit gravitational power
4. forests provide timber, drinking water, scenery
5. water provides transport
2. stability
1. water bodies temper extreme heat and cold
2. wetlands absorb flood water and purify water
3. trees provide shade and protect soil from erosion
4. plants moderate temperature and retard soil erosion
5. wildlife indicate character of native conditions
3. essential services
1. moving water purifies wastes, transports sediment,
2. mountains collect and store snow and rain water,
3. aquifers, lakes and streams hold water,
4. wind cleans away contaminated air,
5. plants make oxygen, reduce the temperature (shade),
6. bacteria and fungi assist vegetation growth.

ecosystem services

ecological core is | model of wealth & worldviews | ecosystems are? | landscapes change