Achieving a “Green Revolution 2.0” through an artificial ecosystem involves leveraging advancements in technology and integrating them into sustainable practices. The Green Revolution 2.0 must focus on cultivating plants that can tolerate severe temperature and rainfall changes while producing more with less water and nutrients. Along with the rapid pace,

• Farmers, scientists, and policymakers must adapt to the difficulties;
• Improve crop planning and market intelligence; and
• Farmers must know what to sow and how to handle their crops at various stages under varied stress scenarios, and when to sell.

What is an Artificial Ecosystem?

Human ecosystems create artificial ecosystems that are incapable of being autonomous. Humans develop ecosystems with biotic and abiotic components for various goals. These ecosystems cannot thrive without them. Humans control the setup, species, and energy flow in these ecosystems. Aquariums, crop fields, terrariums, and other similar structures are examples. Artificial ecosystems, like natural ones, comprise two significant components: up of two major components: both abiotic and biotic elements.

The flora and wildlife that make up the ecosystem are considered biotic components. However, unlike natural ecological systems, humans are always biotic components of artificial ecosystems.

Abiotic components are non-living things such as soil, rocks, physical topography, sunlight, gases, and nutrients. Though these appear insignificant, they are responsible for transferring significance; they move energy, nutrients, and food throughout the ecosystem.

An artificial ecosystem has the following characteristics:

• Artificial ecosystems are wholly unnatural and must be maintained by people.
• In terms of organisms–both flora and fauna–the majority have little to no genetic diversity.
• Artificial ecosystems cannot support the development of the organisms that inhabit them.
• Overall, food chains and cycles of nutrients are extremely short and frequently need to be completed.

Artificial ecosystem functions:

• Artificial ecosystems are goal-oriented. They are designed and constructed for specific functions.
• Gardens and aquariums, for example, are designed for aesthetic or amusement purposes.
• Crop fields and dams are artificial ecosystems used for food production and irrigation. Dams also allow us to give water to desert regions when needed and generate hydroelectricity.
• Zoos and woods enable us to protect endangered flora and fauna species, allowing more people to learn about and appreciate them.
• Finally, wetlands were developed to ensure that wastes could be chemically treated before being released into the ecosystem, keeping the environment cleaner.

Difference between Natural and Artificial Ecosystem

• Natural and artificial ecosystems both rely on the cosmic laws of nature. Other distinctions between these two systems include development, objective, diversity, susceptibility, sustainability, etc. A natural approach results from the ongoing interaction between living and non-living creatures and their environment. On the contrary, humans construct artificial ecosystems to benefit themselves.
• A natural ecosystem’s living and non-living components collaborate to carry out critical chemical, biological, and physical processes. As a result, they have a diverse genetic makeup and are adaptive to shifting environmental conditions. On the other hand, the artificial ecosystem is less diversified and has limited sustainability since it lacks these functions.
• Natural ecosystems develop through time through evolutionary failures and successes without human intervention. Artificial ecosystems, on the other hand, necessitate human involvement. As a result, they lack the evolutionary development process.
• Natural ecosystems are natural assemblages formed by the continual interaction of biotic and abiotic constituents of the environment. On the other hand, humans design, develop, and maintain artificial ecosystems to achieve various aims.
• Natural ecosystems are unaffected by human activity. Artificial ecosystems, on the other hand, need human vigilance to survive. Additional nutrients, supplemental food, chemical fertilizers, and scientific support help artificial ecosystems endure and sustain life. Natural ecology, on the other side, doesn’t require any of these because it is self-sufficient. The artificial environment has less diversity, while the natural ecosystem has a wide range of variations in genes and species diversity.
• Natural ecosystems exist to preserve the equilibrium of the environment, safeguard and conserve biodiversity, preserve natural resources, and pass on a biological legacy to future generations.
• The artificial ecosystem’s motivation differs from that of the natural ecosystem. It is related to increased land yield, ornamental purposes, profiteering from animals, or safeguarding specific species.

5 Examples of Artificial Ecosystem

1. Aquariums

The most typically seen in houses among aquaculturists or decorative aquariums are also examples of artificial ecosystems built by humans. They may represent saltwater, freshwater, or brackish water habitats produced inside various-sized glass tanks. They have filters and are home to everything from plants, fish, corals, and anemones to crabs and molluscs.

2. Greenhouse

A greenhouse is typically defined as a glass structure for growing plants under controlled temperature and humidity conditions. The glass walls of the greenhouse, like those in the environment, enable heat inside but prevent it from exiting. This keeps the temperature steady and adds humidity, making greenhouses ideal for producing tropical plants and vegetables in moderate or colder areas.

3. Hydroponics

Hydroponic cultivation or aquaculture is arguably the least well-known of the examples of artificial ecosystems described in this list. This method became more convenient because there needed to be more tillable ground to cultivate crops. Farmers use this approach to grow crops in water containing minerals and inert gases, eliminating the need for pesticides and fertilizers while lowering their carbon impact.

4. Forested Management

Managed forests are actual examples of artificial ecosystems in the realm of conservation. These are artificial forest areas designed to mimic the natural forest cover that could develop in that location. These trees and flora are cultivated and transplanted, assisting in the conservation of plant species on the verge of extinction owing to logging and deforestation.

5. Gardens

Gardens are artificial environments since humans created them rather than occurring naturally. It has abiotic as well as biotic elements that humans regulate. They are an example of an artificial environment created by people on their balconies, terrace, or backyard. A garden can also be used to travel and display rare flora or plants. A home garden can include everything from ornamentals to medicinal and edible plants.

Conclusion

The natural ecosystem functions as a basic unit of the environment, carrying out significant biological, chemical, and physical operations. The artificial ecosystem misses this effectiveness but substantially impacts human life. While natural and artificial ecosystems vary in many ways, both are essential to a sustainable and healthy environment. As a result, cherishing and protecting these ecosystems becomes a responsibility.

It’s important to note that while an artificial ecosystem can enhance sustainability efforts, it cannot replace natural ecosystems entirely. It should be viewed as a complement to traditional conservation and sustainable practices, with the ultimate goal of harmonizing human activities with the natural world

Also Read: Artificial Photosynthesis