Ecological systems (ecosystems) consist of all the living organisms in an area and their physical environment (soil, water, air). Ecosystems are influenced over time by the local climate, variations in the local landscape, disturbances such as fire and floods, and the organisms that live in them. Grasslands ecosystems in British Columbia generally occur in areas where the climate is hot and dry in summer and cool to cold and dry in winter, where the parent material is composed of fine sediments, and in valley or plateau landscapes. The organisms that live in grasslands include plants and animals that have adapted to the climatic conditions in a variety of ways. Differences in elevation, climate, soils, aspect and their position in relation to mountain ranges have resulted in many variations in the grassland ecosystems of British Columbia. The mosaics of ecosystems found in our grasslands, including wetlands, riparian areas, aspen stands and rocky cliffs, allow for a rich diversity of species.
Grassland ecosystems have both biotic and abiotic components. The biotic components of an ecosystem are the living organisms that exist in the system and can be classified as producers (including grasses, shrubs and trees), consumers (including grazing ungulates, birds and insects) or decomposers (including fungi, insects and bacteria). Abiotic components of the ecosystems are the non-living components on which the living components depend, including climate, soil and topography Detailed information on ecosystem processes such as nutrient cycling and energy flow, as well as further information on abiotic and biotic components can be found on the Understanding Grasslands site.
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