Microcosms are artificial, simplified
ecosystems
An ecosystem (or ecological system) is a system formed by Organism, organisms in interaction with their Biophysical environment, environment. The Biotic material, biotic and abiotic components are linked together through nutrient cycles and en ...
that are used to simulate and predict the behaviour of natural ecosystems under controlled conditions. Open or closed microcosms provide an experimental area for ecologists to study natural ecological processes. Microcosm studies can be very useful to study the effects of disturbance or to determine the ecological role of key species. A
Winogradsky column {{Short description, Device for culturing microorganisms
The Winogradsky column is a simple device for culturing a large diversity of microorganisms. Invented in the 1880s by Sergei Winogradsky, the device is a column of pond mud and water mixed ...
is an example of a microbial microcosm.
See also
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Closed ecological system
Closed ecological systems or contained ecological systems (CES) are ecosystems that do not rely on matter exchange with any part outside the system.
The term is most often used to describe small, man-made ecosystems. Such systems can potentially ...
*Ecologist
Howard T. Odum was a pioneer in his use of small closed and open ecosystems in classroom teaching.
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Biosphere 2
University of Arizona Biosphere 2 is an American Earth system science research facility located in Oracle, Arizona. Its mission is to serve as a center for research, outreach, teaching, and lifelong learning about Earth, its living systems, and i ...
- Controversial project with a 1.27 ha artificial closed ecological system in Oracle, Arizona (USA).
References
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*{{cite journal , last1=Roeselers , first1=Guus , last2=Zippel , first2=Barbara , last3=Staal , first3=Marc , last4=Van Loosdrecht , first4=Mark , last5=Muyzer , first5=Gerard , title=On the reproducibility of microcosm experiments – different community composition in parallel phototrophic biofilm microcosms , journal=FEMS Microbiology Ecology , volume=58 , issue=2 , pages=169–78 , year=2006 , pmid=17064259 , doi=10.1111/j.1574-6941.2006.00172.x, doi-access=free
Ecosystems
Biological systems