AGROECOSYSTEM VS. NATURAL ECOSYSTEM

ž  Natural ecosystem is closed, or at least, unmanaged 

  ecosystem

—  Closed ecosystem—all elements recycled through 

   ecosystem—not often pure closed ecosystems 

    anymore—humans frequently involved.

ž  Agroecosystem is an open ecosystem, or managed 

  ecosystem:

—  Producer moves plants, animals, environmental 

   factors (fertilizers, feed) in & out of ecosystem.

—  Will not continue on its own without 

    management.

—  If left alone, would progress toward closed 

   ecosystem, but probably not the same asoriginal 

   ecosystem before agriculture without human 

   input again.