What is permanent ecosystem?

What is the minimum number of species to be an "ecosystem?"?

• What is the minimum number of species to be an "ecosystem?" If I put a bunch of plants of just one species in an airtight greenhouse and they manage to survive, does that count as an "ecosystem?" What about one type of plant and one type of bug? Seriously though, are there any species that could survive alone like that? If not, what are the minimum number of species needed to survive indefinitely?

• Answer:

  Hello, You no I never thought about this before. I have five different places for plants in my home. Two were pacifically made just for my plants, the other places are the bathroom, living room and kitchen. These are all different environments. Within these environments there is differences in heat,water, light etc. I have not counted all the plants I do have. BUT I do not move say the ones from the bathroom into say the kitchen. Why? Because the ecosystem is different there for putting which ever plant into shock. I have my "baby" area where I had seeded coleuses, which I just separated and potted about 20 of them last night. I have African violets in another nice warm spot to do there thing. I have momma plants giving off babies, those I do not dare move. The bugs in all these places are different as well. The biggest bug problem I have is gnats. This is because I do not use chemicals but natural substances in my soils. The only thing that is considered chemical is the fertilizer I do buy. I feel if you did specialize in one type of plant you would do fine. Bugs are different. For every good bug there is the counter part to that bug. We still have plants in the green house outside that to my amazement are still surviving even in our 12 degree weather. Hope this helps?