Biotope
The term biotope is borrowed from the German language, and is derived from the combination of Greek for life-place and is almost synonymous habitat. It is an area of uniform environmental conditions that provide a living place for specific biotic plants and animals (biota). It may also be referred to as a biocoenosis or biological community.
The first reference to biotope as an ecological system was made by F. Dahl a professor from the Berlin zoological museum in early 1900. Prior to this in 1866 E.Haeckel (1834–1919), also a zoologist, described the importance of habitat for an organism's existence and how the biota of an ecosystem is shaped by the interaction of living things with environmental factors such as water, soil, and geographical features.
The biosphere describes the area above and below land that supports life via the global ecosystem which is composed of living organisms (biota) and the abiotic (non-living) elements from which energy and nutrients are derived.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
Why being a mentor can help your career.
Channel 4 broadcaster to host 125th anniversary ceremony.
Listed structures on the rail network
Heritage interests and operational requirements must be balanced.
Historic England publishes research into embodied carbon when retrofitting traditional buildings.
New Prime Minister delivers on ECA call for cut in electricity costs.
CIOB reacts to the announcement of Andy Burnham as Prime Minister.
Heritage and conservation science workforce survey - Have your say.
England's Suburbs 1820-2020. Book review.
New, more proportionate and targeted approach for higher-risk building assessments.
Government brings British Steel into public ownership.
UKCW Birmingham returns with bold new theme and focus.
New guidance published on competence requirements for self-certification schemes.