Ecosystem as a Geographical model
According to C.R. Dyer, the planet earth itself is an organism and geography is its anatomy, physiology and psychology. He was of the opinion that ecology is the general term to signify both; the biome i.e. the whole complex of living organisms naturally living together as a sociological unit, and its habitat.
All the organic and inorganic elements of an ecosystem represent an interacting system. These elements in a mature ecosystem are in approximate equilibrium state.
D.R. Etoddart recognizing the properties of an ecosystem recommended them for geographical investigation. Ecosystem being monistic brings together man and the plant and animal kingdom within a single framework within which their mutual interaction can be analysed.
The second important property of an ecosystem is structural in an orderly and rational way. Once structures are recognized, they may be investigated and scientifically studied.
The third important property is the ecosystems are functioning systems involving continuous output of matter and energy. Fourthly, ecosystems are general systems which have the specific qualities of general system.
Ecosystems are all open systems and hence many of the properties and concepts of ecosystem can be interpreted under the laws of open system thermodynamics.
