What is a sustainable ecosystem?

An ecosystem is considered sustainable if it can continue to function at its peak level despite being harvested. A few characteristics that contribute to an ecosystem's sustainability are its ability to self-regulate, adapt to changing conditions (like the buildup of carbon dioxide in the world), and an ideal level of harvesting.

In the words of Smith and Smith (2009), "sustainable use can also be constrained indirectly as a consequence of negative impacts on ecosystem services that arise from resource management, extraction, or use. A prime example is waste (unused or unwanted materials). Dealing with domestic, industrial, and agricultural waste is a growing environmental issue with implications for ecosystems and human health. Wastes and by-products of production often contaminate the environment (air, water, and soil) with harmful substances, which can limit or disrupt the ability of ecosystems to provide essential resources and services."

Smith, T. M. and Smith, R. L. (2009) Elements of Ecology, Seventh Edition, Benjamin Cummins, Pearson Education, Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA. Pearson International Edition.

A sustainable ecosystem is a biological environment and series of habitats that is able to thrive and maintain its balance over time, without causing harm to the environment or depleting resources.