Ecosystem: Basic Concept, Structure, and
Function
Concept and Structure of Ecosystem
Concept of Ecosystem
An ecosystem is a community of living organisms in conjunction
with the non-living components of their environment, interacting as a
system. The term was coined by Arthur Tansley in 1935. It is the
basic functional unit of ecology.
Characteristics of Ecosystems:
Interaction between biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living)
components.
Continuous energy flow and nutrient cycling.
Self-regulating and dynamic in nature.
Types of Ecosystems:
1. Natural ecosystems – e.g., forests, oceans, deserts.
2. Artificial ecosystems – e.g., aquariums, crop fields.
Structure of Ecosystem
The structure includes both living organisms and physical
environment. It determines the functioning of the ecosystem.
Abiotic Components:
Sunlight, Temperature, Water, Soil, Minerals, Atmospheric
gases
Biotic Components:
1. Producers – Autotrophs (e.g., green plants, algae)
2. Consumers – Heterotrophs (e.g., animals)
3. Decomposers – Saprotrophs (e.g., bacteria, fungi)
These components interact through food chains and food webs and
are organized into trophic levels.
Functions of Ecosystem
An ecosystem performs several key functions to support life:
1. Energy Flow
Energy enters the ecosystem through sunlight.
Captured by producers via photosynthesis.
Flows through the food chain from producers to consumers.
Energy is lost as heat at each trophic level.
2. Nutrient Cycling
Essential nutrients like carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus are
recycled.
Decomposers play a crucial role in breaking down organic
material.
3. Ecological Regulation
Ecosystems maintain homeostasis through predator-prey
relationships, competition, and symbiosis.
4. Productivity
Primary productivity: Rate at which producers convert solar
energy into biomass.
Secondary productivity: Biomass produced by consumers.
Ecosystem Stability
Stable ecosystems resist changes and recover after disturbances.
Biodiversity enhances resilience and sustainability.
Producers, Consumers, and Decomposers
Producers (Autotrophs)
Organisms that prepare their own food using sunlight
(photosynthesis) or chemical energy (chemosynthesis).
Example: Green plants, algae, cyanobacteria.
Consumers (Heterotrophs)
They rely on other organisms for food and are classified as:
Primary Consumers – Herbivores (e.g., cow, deer)
Secondary Consumers – Carnivores (e.g., frog, snake)
Tertiary Consumers – Top predators (e.g., lion, eagle)
Omnivores – Eat both plants and animals (e.g., humans)
Decomposers (Saprotrophs)
Organisms that feed on dead organic matter.
Break down complex organic materials into simple substances.
Example: Bacteria, fungi, earthworms.
These three groups are interdependent and vital for ecosystem health
and nutrient cycling.
Energy Flow and Food Chain
Energy Flow in Ecosystem
Unidirectional: Sun → Producers → Consumers →
Decomposers.
Governed by:
o First Law of Thermodynamics – Energy cannot be created
or destroyed.
o Second Law of Thermodynamics – Energy conversion is
inefficient; some is lost as heat.
10% Law (Lindeman’s Law)
Only 10% of energy is transferred to the next trophic level; 90% is
lost as heat or used in metabolism.
Food Chain
A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms through which
nutrients and energy pass.
Types of Food Chains:
1. Grazing food chain – Starts from producers.
o Example: Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake →
Hawk
2. Detritus food chain – Starts from dead organic matter.
o Example: Dead leaves → Earthworms → Beetles → Birds
Each step in the chain is called a trophic level. Food chains are
limited to 4–5 levels due to energy loss.
Food Web and Ecological Pyramid
Food Web
A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains.
Significance of Food Webs:
Provides stability to the ecosystem.
Demonstrates multiple feeding relationships.
Helps organisms survive if one food source becomes scarce.
Example:
Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake → Hawk
Grass → Rabbit → Fox
Both chains are interconnected, forming a web.
Ecological Pyramid
A graphical representation of the trophic levels in an ecosystem.
Types of Ecological Pyramids:
1. Pyramid of Energy:
o Always upright.
o Shows decrease in energy at each trophic level.
2. Pyramid of Biomass:
o Shows the total mass of organisms.
o Upright in terrestrial ecosystems.
o Inverted in aquatic ecosystems (phytoplankton are lighter
than zooplankton).
3. Pyramid of Numbers:
o Shows the number of individuals at each level.
o May be upright or inverted (e.g., one tree supports many
insects).
