What is an Ecosystem?

An ecosystem is a structural and functional unit of ecology where the living

organisms interact with each other and the surrounding environment. In
other words, an ecosystem is a chain of interactions between organisms and
their environment. The term “Ecosystem” was first coined by A.G.Tansley, an
English botanist, in 1935.
Read on to explore the structure, components, types and functions of the
ecosystem in the notes provided below.
Structure of the Ecosystem
The structure of an ecosystem is characterised by the organisation of both
biotic and abiotic components. This includes the distribution of energy in our
environment. It also includes the climatic conditions prevailing in that
particular environment.
The structure of an ecosystem can be split into two main components,
namely:
 Biotic Components
 Abiotic Components
The biotic and abiotic components are interrelated in an ecosystem. It is an
open system where the energy and components can flow throughout the
boundaries.
Biotic Components
Biotic components refer to all living components in an ecosystem. Based on
nutrition, biotic components can be categorized into autotrophs,
heterotrophs and saprotrophs (or decomposers).
 Producers include all autotrophs such as plants. They are called
autotrophs as they can produce food through the process of
photosynthesis. Consequently, all other organisms higher up on the
food chain rely on producers for food.
 Consumers or heterotrophs are organisms that depend on other
organisms for food. Consumers are further classified into primary
consumers, secondary consumers and tertiary consumers.
 Primary consumers are always herbivores as they rely on
producers for food.
 Secondary consumers depend on primary consumers for
energy. They can either be carnivores or omnivores.
 Tertiary consumers are organisms that depend on secondary
consumers for food. Tertiary consumers can also be carnivores
or omnivores.

 Quaternary consumers are present in some food chains.

These organisms prey on tertiary consumers for energy.
Furthermore, they are usually at the top of a food chain as they
have no natural predators.
 Decomposers include saprophytes such as fungi and bacteria. They
directly thrive on the dead and decaying organic matter. Decomposers
are essential for the ecosystem as they help in recycling nutrients to
be reused by plants.
Abiotic Components
Abiotic components are the non-living component of an ecosystem. It
includes air, water, soil, minerals, sunlight, temperature, nutrients, wind,
altitude, turbidity, etc.

Functions of Ecosystem
The functions of the ecosystem are as follows:
1.
1. It regulates the essential ecological processes, supports life
systems and renders stability.
2. It is also responsible for the cycling of nutrients between biotic
and abiotic components.
3. It maintains a balance among the various trophic levels in the
ecosystem.
4. It cycles the minerals through the biosphere.
5. The abiotic components help in the synthesis of organic
components that involve the exchange of energy.
So the functional units of an ecosystem or functional components that work
together in an ecosystem are:
 Productivity – It refers to the rate of biomass production.
 Energy flow – It is the sequential process through which energy flows
from one trophic level to another. The energy captured from the sun
flows from producers to consumers and then to decomposers and
finally back to the environment.
 Decomposition – It is the process of breakdown of dead organic
material. The top-soil is the major site for decomposition.
 Nutrient cycling – In an ecosystem nutrients are consumed and
recycled back in various forms for the utilization by various organisms.
Types of Ecosystem
An ecosystem can be as small as an oasis in a desert, or as big as an ocean,
spanning thousands of miles. There are two types of ecosystem:
 Terrestrial Ecosystem
 Aquatic Ecosystem

Terrestrial Ecosystem
Terrestrial ecosystems are exclusively land-based ecosystems. There are
different types of terrestrial ecosystems distributed around various
geological zones. They are as follows:
1. Forest Ecosystem
2. Grassland Ecosystem
3. Tundra Ecosystem
4. Desert Ecosystem
Forest Ecosystem
A forest ecosystem consists of several plants, particularly trees, animals and
microorganisms that live in coordination with the abiotic factors of the
environment. Forests help in maintaining the temperature of the earth and
are the major carbon sink.
Grassland Ecosystem
In a grassland ecosystem, the vegetation is dominated by grasses and herbs.
Temperate grasslands and tropical or savanna grasslands are examples of
grassland ecosystems.
Tundra Ecosystem
Tundra ecosystems are devoid of trees and are found in cold climates or
where rainfall is scarce. These are covered with snow for most of the year.
Tundra type of ecosystem is found in the Arctic or mountain tops.
Desert Ecosystem
Deserts are found throughout the world. These are regions with little rainfall
and scarce vegetation. The days are hot, and the nights are cold.
Aquatic Ecosystem
Aquatic ecosystems are ecosystems present in a body of water. These can
be further divided into two types, namely:
1. Freshwater Ecosystem
2. Marine Ecosystem

Freshwater Ecosystem
The freshwater ecosystem is an aquatic ecosystem that includes lakes,
ponds, rivers, streams and wetlands. These have no salt content in contrast
with the marine ecosystem.
Marine Ecosystem
The marine ecosystem includes seas and oceans. These have a more
substantial salt content and greater biodiversity in comparison to the
freshwater ecosystem.
Also check: Habitat Diversity
Important Ecological Concepts
1. Food Chain
The sun is the ultimate source of energy on earth. It provides the energy
required for all plant life. The plants utilize this energy for the process of
photosynthesis, which is used to synthesize their food.
During this biological process, light energy is converted into chemical energy
and is passed on through successive trophic levels. The flow of energy from
a producer, to a consumer and eventually, to an apex predator or a
detritivore is called the food chain.
Dead and decaying matter, along with organic debris, is broken down into its
constituents by scavengers. The reducers then absorb these constituents.
After gaining the energy, the reducers liberate molecules to the
environment, which can be utilized again by the producers.

2.

Ecological Pyramids
An ecological pyramid is the graphical representation of the number, energy,
and biomass of the successive trophic levels of an ecosystem. Charles Elton
was the first ecologist to describe the ecological pyramid and its principals in
1927.
The biomass, number, and energy of organisms ranging from the producer
level to the consumer level are represented in the form of a pyramid; hence,
it is known as the ecological pyramid.
The base of the ecological pyramid comprises the producers, followed by
primary and secondary consumers. The tertiary consumers hold the apex. In
some food chains, the quaternary consumers are at the very apex of the
food chain.
The producers generally outnumber the primary consumers and similarly,
the primary consumers outnumber the secondary consumers. And lastly,
apex predators also follow the same trend as the other consumers; wherein,
their numbers are considerably lower than the secondary consumers.
For example, Grasshoppers feed on crops such as cotton and wheat, which
are plentiful. These grasshoppers are then preyed upon by common mouse,
which are comparatively less in number. The mice are preyed upon by
snakes such as cobras. Snakes are ultimately preyed on by apex predators
such as the brown snake eagle.
In essence:

Grasshopper →Mouse→ Cobra → Brown Snake Eagle

3. Food Web
Food web is a network of interconnected food chains. It comprises all the
food chains within a single ecosystem. It helps in understanding that plants
lay the foundation of all the food chains. In a marine environment,
phytoplankton forms the primary producer.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the ecosystem?
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2. What are the different types of ecosystems?

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3. What are the functional components of an ecosystem?

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4. Which ecosystem do we live in?

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5. What is the structure of the ecosystem?

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6. Which is the largest ecosystem in the world?

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7. What is the major function of an ecosystem?

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8. What makes a good ecosystem?

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9. What all include the non-living things in an ecosystem?

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