An ecosystem is defined as a structural and functional unit of nature consisting of a community of living beings and their physical environment, interacting and exchanging materials. The key components of an ecosystem include biotic factors like producers, consumers, and decomposers and abiotic factors like inorganic substances, organic substances, and physical factors. Ecosystems regulate themselves through controls like carrying capacity and feedback systems. Studying ecosystems provides information about energy and nutrient flows, ecological interactions, and productivity to assess exploitation and conservation needs.
An ecosystem is defined as a structural and functional unit of nature consisting of a community of living beings and their physical environment, interacting and exchanging materials. The key components of an ecosystem include biotic factors like producers, consumers, and decomposers and abiotic factors like inorganic substances, organic substances, and physical factors. Ecosystems regulate themselves through controls like carrying capacity and feedback systems. Studying ecosystems provides information about energy and nutrient flows, ecological interactions, and productivity to assess exploitation and conservation needs.
An ecosystem is defined as a structural and functional unit of nature consisting of a community of living beings and their physical environment, interacting and exchanging materials. The key components of an ecosystem include biotic factors like producers, consumers, and decomposers and abiotic factors like inorganic substances, organic substances, and physical factors. Ecosystems regulate themselves through controls like carrying capacity and feedback systems. Studying ecosystems provides information about energy and nutrient flows, ecological interactions, and productivity to assess exploitation and conservation needs.
An ecosystem is defined as a structural and functional unit of nature consisting of a community of living beings and their physical environment, interacting and exchanging materials. The key components of an ecosystem include biotic factors like producers, consumers, and decomposers and abiotic factors like inorganic substances, organic substances, and physical factors. Ecosystems regulate themselves through controls like carrying capacity and feedback systems. Studying ecosystems provides information about energy and nutrient flows, ecological interactions, and productivity to assess exploitation and conservation needs.
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Ecosystem
S No 1 2 3 4 Item Coinage Definition Other Names Types Description Gr. oikos dwelling; system composite whole; Tansley, 1935 Structural and functional unit of nature consisting of a community of living beings and their physical environment, both interacting and exchanging materials between them Ecological System; Biocoenosis (Mobius, 1877), Microcosm (Forbes, 1887), Holocoen (Friederichs, 1930), Biosystem (Thienemann, 1939), Biogeocoenosis ( Sukachev, 1944), Holon (1969). Natural Under natural settings, with no appreciable human interference; e. g., Forest, Grassland (Terrestrial; Fresh water Lake, River, Sea (Aquatic). Artificial (Man-made) Created and supported by human; e. g. ,Agroecosystems, Garden, Orchard, Village, City, Town Aquatic Water medium, e. g., Fresh water Lake, River, Sea Terrestrial Land, e. g., Forest, Grassland Permanent Persistent; e. g., Forest, Desert, Sea Temporary Persists for short duration, e. g., Rain water pond Complete With all components, e. g., Forest Incomplete Lack on or other component, e. g., Cave, Deep sea, pond with algal bloom Mega-Ecosystem Very large sized; e. g., Marine Macro-ecosystem Large sized, e. g., Forest Micro-Ecosystem Small sized and is part of large Ecosystem, e. g., Valley Nano-Ecosystem Very small sized, e. g., Log of wood Biotic (Living) a. Producers (Autotrophs)- Converters or Transducers Components: *Primary Producers - Autotrophs b. Consumers (Macroconsumers; Phagotrophs; Secondary Consumers) - Heterotrophs i. Herbivores (Primary Consumers) feed upon plants, e. g., rabbits, deer, cattle, goats, horses ii. Carnivores feed upon flesh of other animals Primary Carnivores (Secondary Consumers) feed on herbivores, e. g., frogs, mollusks, centipedes , Fox Secondary Carnivores (Tertiary Consumers) eat on Primary Carnivores, e. g., Snake (on Frog), Wolf (on Fox) Tertiary Carnivores (Quaternary Consumers) eat on Secondary Carnivores, e. g., Peacock (on Snake) Top Carnivores not further preyed upon, e. g., Lion, Tiger
Structural Aspects (Components of Ecosystem)
Functional Aspects
Why to Study Ecosystem
c. Decomposers (Microconsumers) Mineralisers, Reducers, Saprotrophs, Osmotrophs, e. g., bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi d. Special Categories Parasites (derive nourishment from body of other living organisms), Detrivores (feed on detritus), Scavengers (feed on dead bodies) Abiotic (Nonliving) a. Inorganic Substances minerals/ biogenic nutrients Components b. Organic Substances organic detritus, humus c. Physical Factors Temperature, Light, Wind, Humidity, Rain, Fire (all Climatic); Topography, Edaphic or Soil Factors Nutrient Cycling plants procure nutrients from environment in inorganic state, convert them in to organic state and pass them on to consumers; and decomposers release them with death and decay of organisms back to environment for reutilization. Flow of Energy non-cyclic; solar energy picked up by plants and converted to food; part of energy used by plants themselves; and some energy passed on to consumers; 10 % law of ecological efficiency; ultimately lost as heat to environment, therefore continuous inflow of energy needed by ecosystem Controls or Regulations carrying capacity (maximum number of individuals which could be supported by ecosystem), self-regulations (reproductive potential is inversely governed by population density), feed-back systems (population density of one controls population density of another population) Inter-relations complex three dimensional relationship of various components, e. g., Food Web Information about availability and utilization of Energy Information about availability, utilization and recycling of Nutrients Knowledge about Ecological Interactions Primary and Secondary productivity (Producers/ Consumers) Maximum number of producers and consumers which can be supported How to increase productivity; assess shortage of inputs, degree of exploitation, effects of pollution and conservation needed
