Making an ecosystem is more than just a hobby to decorate your home. Here is everything you need to know about it to create one.

An ecosystem is an area in which living organisms living in an abiotic environment interact with one another in an abiotic environment. The biotic components of an ecosystem comprise animals, plants bacteria, fungi, bacteria, and viruses. Abiotic components of ecosystems include soil, water air, light, and temperatures. Let us learn more about them to create one on your own.

What Is a Self-Sustaining Ecosystem?

The self-sustaining ecosystem is a miniature ecosystem that is contained inside a jar or another transparent container. Imagine having a variety of fish tanks that you do not need to supplement with anything or feed since it takes care of everything by itself. All it requires is light. Self-sustaining ecosystems can be aquatic, terrestrial, or a mixture of both. This is known as paludarium.

What Factors Are Needed to Have a Self-Sustaining Ecosystem?

As with all ecosystems, a self-sustaining one requires lighting for its primary production as well as the process of nutrient cycling. The ecosystem must achieve an equilibrium in its ecology and be able to ensure the life and growth of the living organisms living within it. The presence of too many animals can cause all plants to be eaten and oxygen-depleted excessively. The overgrowth of plants can result in an overcrowding situation and even death.

Types of Self-Sustaining Ecosystems

Ecosystems are open or closed systems. Closed systems, for example, ecosphere shrimp, are completely shut off from the world outside. Open systems are similar to an old-fashioned fish tank that has an opening lid. Aquatic terrariums may be saltwater or fresh but due to the chemical complexity of saltwater systems, freshwater ones are thought to be easier to install and operate.

Kinds of Plants Suitable for Terrariums

In the terrestrial terrariums, moss is the most common plant used in closed systems. You should choose plants with slow growth rates like:

Ferns

Carnivorous plants

Air plants

Succulents

Dwarf palms

Peperomia

How to Make a Self-Sustaining Terrarium

The first step is to select an appropriate glass or plastic pot which is suitable in size for the species of plants and animals that it will be keeping. For terrariums with terrestrial plants, put in an additional layer of stones, activated carbon is added to help keep the system clean as well as keep peat moss to retain moisture before adding soil. The majority of aquatic and terrestrial terrariums require lighting. Be sure to keep them in an area that receives plenty of sunlight, or are connected to lighting sources that emit all spectrums of light.