An ecosystem is a combination of the interactions between biotic (living things) and abiotic (air, water, rocks, energy) factors.
Some ecosystems found in Illinois are:
Within an ecosystem, there may be many habitats. A habitat is an environment that is home to an organism or community of organisms. A habitat provides all of the necessities an organism needs – food, water, shelter, and space.
The landscape of Illinois has changed greatly over the past 160 years. Contrast the land cover on the maps of 1850 and today.
Illinois has lost over 90% of its wetlands, 99% of prairies and 80% of forests.