Ecosystem

Definition of an Ecosystem

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with each other and their non-living environment.

What is an Ecosystem?

An ecosystem is a unit of nature where living things (plants, animals, and microorganisms) interact with each other and with non-living elements (like air, water, and soil). The term “Ecosystem” was introduced by A.G. Tansley in 1935.

Structure of an Ecosystem

An ecosystem has two main components:

1. Biotic Components: All living things in the ecosystem (plants, animals, bacteria).
2. Abiotic Components: Non-living elements like air, water, soil, and sunlight.

Biotic Components

• Producers (Autotrophs): Plants that make their own food through photosynthesis.
• Consumers (Heterotrophs): Animals that eat plants or other animals.
• Primary Consumers: Herbivores that eat plants.
• Secondary Consumers: Carnivores and omnivores that eat primary consumers.
• Tertiary Consumers: Animals that eat secondary consumers.
• Quaternary Consumers: Top predators that have no natural enemies.
• Decomposers (Saprotrophs): Organisms like fungi and bacteria that break down dead matter and recycle nutrients.

Abiotic Components

Non-living parts of an ecosystem like air, water, soil, minerals, sunlight, temperature, and nutrients.

Functions of an Ecosystem

• Regulates ecological processes and supports life.
• Cycles nutrients between living and non-living parts.
• Maintains balance among different levels in the food chain.
• Helps in the synthesis of organic components.

Types of Ecosystems

• Terrestrial Ecosystem: Land-based ecosystems (forests, grasslands, deserts, tundra).
• Aquatic Ecosystem: Water-based ecosystems (freshwater and marine).

Terrestrial Ecosystems

• Forest Ecosystem: Composed of trees, animals, and microorganisms interacting with non-living elements.
• Grassland Ecosystem: Dominated by grasses and herbs, found in temperate and tropical regions.
• Tundra Ecosystem: Cold, treeless regions covered with snow most of the year.
• Desert Ecosystem: Areas with little rainfall, hot days, and cold nights.

Aquatic Ecosystems

• Freshwater Ecosystem: Includes lakes, rivers, ponds, and wetlands with no salt content.
• Marine Ecosystem: Includes seas and oceans with higher salt content and greater biodiversity.

Important Ecological Concepts

• Food Chain: The flow of energy from plants (producers) to herbivores (primary consumers) to carnivores (secondary and tertiary consumers).
• Food Web: A network of interconnected food chains within an ecosystem.
• Ecological Pyramids: Graphical representation of the number, biomass, and energy at each trophic level.

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