An ecosystem is an interacting association of plants and animals. Ecosystems provide a range of ecosystems services and goods which supports the basis for livelihoods and human well-being. Seven ecosystems have been identified for the Pacific region relevant to the Pacific EBA tool.

The details of the ecosystems are:

• Coastal ecosystem: onshore: these are beach ecosystems

• Coastal ecosystem: nearshore: includes sea grass and coral reefs

• Forest ecosystem: includes both inland and coastal forest

• Agroecosystem: agriculture land

• Groundwater ecosystem: also called aquifers

• Freshwater ecosystem: also called surface water

• Coastal plains: flat, low-lying land adjacent to an ocean