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Ecosystem

Ecosystem Definition

“An ecosystem is defined as a community of lifeforms in concurrence with

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Table of Contents
What is an Ecosystem?
Structure of the Ecosystem
Biotic Components
Abiotic Components
Types of Ecosystem
Terrestrial
Aquatic
Functions
Important Ecological Concepts

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.

CBSE Sample Papers

Biotic Components CBSE Sample Papers Class 8 Science

Biotic components refer to all living components in an ecosystem. Based on nutrition, biotic components can CBSE Sample Papers Class 9 Science
be categorised into autotrophs, heterotrophs and saprotrophs (or decomposers).
CBSE Sample Papers Class 10 Science
Producers include all autotrophs such as plants. They are called autotrophs as they can produce food
CBSE Sample Papers Class 11 Physics
through the process of photosynthesis. Consequently, all other organisms higher up on the food chain
rely on producers for food. CBSE Sample Papers Class 11 Chemistry

Consumers or heterotrophs are organisms that depend on other organisms for food. Consumers are CBSE Sample Papers Class 11 Biology
further classified into primary consumers, secondary consumers and tertiary consumers.
CBSE Sample Papers Class 12 Physics
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 CBSE Sample Papers Class 12 Chemistry
or omnivores.
CBSE Sample Papers Class 12 Biology
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.
CBSE Previous Year Question Papers
Decomposers include saprophytes such as fungi and bacteria. They directly thrive on the dead and
CBSE Previous Year Question Papers Class 10
decaying organic matter. Decomposers are essential for the ecosystem as they help in recycling
Science
nutrients to be reused by plants.
CBSE Previous Year Question Papers Class 12
Abiotic Components Physics

Abiotic components are the non-living component of an ecosystem. It includes air, water, soil, minerals, CBSE Previous Year Question Papers Class 12
sunlight, temperature, nutrients, wind, altitude, turbidity, etc. Chemistry

CBSE Previous Year Question Papers Class 12

Functions of Ecosystem Biology
The functions of the ecosystem are as follows:

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. ICSE Sample Papers
4. It cycles the minerals through the biosphere. ICSE Sample Papers Class 8 Physics

5. The abiotic components help in the synthesis of organic components that involve the exchange of ICSE Sample Papers Class 8 Chemistry
energy.
ICSE Sample Papers Class 8 Biology
So the functional units of an ecosystem or functional components that work together in an ecosystem are:
ICSE Sample Papers Class 9 Physics
Productivity – It refers to the rate of biomass production.
ICSE Sample Papers Class 9 Chemistry
Energy flow – It is the sequential process through which energy flows from one trophic level to another.
ICSE Sample Papers Class 9 Biology
The energy captured from the sun flows from producers to consumers and then to decomposers and
finally back to the environment. ICSE Sample Papers Class 10 Physics
Decomposition – It is the process of breakdown of dead organic material. The top-soil is the major site
ICSE Sample Papers Class 10 Chemistry
for decomposition.
ICSE Sample Papers Class 10 Biology
Nutrient cycling – In an ecosystem nutrients are consumed and recycled back in various forms for the
utilisation by various organisms. ISC Sample Papers Class 11 Physics

ISC Sample Papers Class 11 Chemistry

Types of Ecosystem
ISC Sample Papers Class 11 Biology
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: ISC Sample Papers Class 12 Physics

Terrestrial Ecosystem ISC Sample Papers Class 12 Chemistry

Aquatic Ecosystem ISC Sample Papers Class 12 Biology

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 ICSE Previous Year Question Papers

2. Grassland Ecosystem ICSE Previous Year Question Papers Class 10
3. Tundra Ecosystem Physics
4. Desert Ecosystem
ICSE Previous Year Question Papers Class 10
Forest Ecosystem Chemistry
A forest ecosystem consists of several plants, particularly trees, animals and microorganisms that live in ICSE Previous Year Question Papers Class 10
coordination with the abiotic factors of the environment. Forests help in maintaining the temperature of the Maths
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.
ISC Previous Year Question Papers
Tundra Ecosystem class 12
Tundra ecosystems are devoid of trees and are found in cold climates or where rainfall is scarce. These are
ISC Previous Year Question Papers Class 12
covered with snow for most of the year. Tundra type of ecosystem is found in the Arctic or mountain tops.
Physics
Desert Ecosystem ISC Previous Year Question Papers Class 12
Deserts are found throughout the world. These are regions with little rainfall and scarce vegetation. The days Chemistry
are hot, and the nights are cold.
ISC Previous Year Question Papers Class 12
Biology
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
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The sun is the ultimate source of energy on earth. It provides the energy required for all plant life. The plants
utilise this energy for the process of photosynthesis, which is used to synthesise their food. Name

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 Mobile Number
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
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reducers then absorb these constituents. After gaining the energy, the reducers liberate molecules to the
environment, which can be utilised again by the producers.
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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.

Main article: Food web

To learn more about what is an ecosystem, its structure, types, components, and functions, register at BYJU’S
website or download the BYJU’S app.

54,763

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the ecosystem?
The ecosystem is the community of living organisms in conjunction with non-living components of their
environment, interacting as a system.

2. What are the different types of ecosystems?

The different types of the ecosystem include:

Terrestrial ecosystem
Forest ecosystem
Grassland ecosystem
Desert ecosystem
Tundra ecosystem
Aquatic ecosystem
Freshwater ecosystem
Marine ecosystem

3. What are the functional components of an ecosystem?

The four main components of an ecosystem are:
(i) Productivity
(ii) Decomposition
(iii) Energy flow
(iv) Nutrient cycling

4. Which ecosystem do we live in?

We live in a terrestrial ecosystem. This is the ecosystem where organisms interact on landforms. Examples of
terrestrial ecosystems include tundra, taigas, and tropical rainforests. Deserts, grasslands and temperate
deciduous forests also constitute terrestrial ecosystems.

5. What is the structure of the ecosystem?

The structure of the ecosystem includes the organisms and physical features of the environment, including the
amount and distribution of nutrients in a particular habitat. It also provides information regarding the climatic
conditions of that area.

6. Which is the largest ecosystem in the world?

The largest ecosystem in the world is the aquatic ecosystem. It comprises freshwater and marine ecosystems.
It constitutes 70% of the surface of the earth.

7. What is the major function of an ecosystem?

The ecosystem is the functional unit of the environment system. The abiotic components provide the matrix for
the synthesis of organic components. This process involves the exchange of energy.

8. What makes a good ecosystem?

A good ecosystem consists of native plants and animal species interacting with each other and the
environment. A healthy ecosystem has an energy source and the decomposers that break down dead plants
and animal matter, returning essential nutrients to the soil.

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

The non-living things in an ecosystem include air, wind, water, rocks, soil, temperature and sunlight. These are
known as the abiotic factors of an ecosystem.

Register at BYJU’S for ecosystem notes or other important study resources.

Further Reading:
1. Our Environment
2. Energy Flow In Ecosystem
3. What Is A Natural Ecosystem?
4. Why Is The Ecosystem Important?
5. What Are The Five Levels Of Ecology?
6. What Are The Different Fields Of Ecology?
7. What Are The Three Environmental Issues?
8. Difference Between Food Chain And Food Web
9. How Many Types Of The Ecosystem Are There?
10. How Can We Improve Our Environmental Health?

Test your Knowledge on Ecosystem!

Put your understanding of this concept to

test by answering a few MCQs. Click
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Select the correct answer and click on the “Finish” button

Check your score and answers at the end of the quiz

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What Is Symbiosis Binary Fission Examples

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