'ecosystem-based' originates from the compound of 'ecosystem' and 'based'. 'ecosystem' in turn originates from Greek elements 'oikos' and 'systema', where 'oikos' meant 'house' and 'systema' meant 'organized whole'. 'based' comes from Old French 'base' and ultimately from Greek 'basis' via Latin, where 'basis' meant 'foundation'.

'ecosystem' was coined in modern English (coined by Arthur Tansley in 1935) to denote a biological community and its physical environment; 'based' entered English earlier from Old French and Latin roots. The compound adjective 'ecosystem-based' arose in late 20th century environmental and policy usage to describe practices grounded in ecosystem thinking.

Initially, 'ecosystem' meant 'a biological community together with its physical environment' and 'based' meant 'having a base or foundation'; combined, the compound evolved to mean 'using ecosystems as the basis for policy, management, or action' in ecology and related fields.