Ecosystem Definition

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

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.

Functions of Ecosystem

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.
4. It cycles the minerals through the biosphere.

Types of Ecosystem

An ecosystem can be as small as an oasis in a desert, or as big as an ocean, spanning thousands

 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

1. 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. Changes in the forest ecosystem affect
the entire ecological balance, and severe changes or destruction of forests can also kill the whole
ecosystem. Forests are generally classified into tropical deciduous forests, tropical evergreen
forests, temperate deciduous forests, temperate forests, and Taig.

2. Grassland Ecosystem

Grassland ecosystems are referred to as those ecosystems where the number of trees is low.
These ecosystems mainly consist of grasses, shrubs, and herbs. That means grasses are the
primary vegetation in these ecosystems, along with legumes that typically belong to the
composite family.

Grassland ecosystems are commonly situated in both the tropical and temperate regions globally;
however, they have distinct variations. Examples of these ecosystems include the savanna
grasslands and temperate grasslands. They are home to various grazing animals, insectivores,
and herbivores.

Temperate grasslands and tropical or savanna grasslands are examples of grassland ecosystems.

3. Tundra Ecosystem/ Mountain ecosystem

It is characterized by mountainous regions where the climate is usually cold, and rainfall is low.
Due to these climate changes, these ecosystems have a wide variety of habitats where various
animal and plant species are found. The high altitude areas of mountainous regions have a cold
and harsh climate. This is the reason why only treeless alpine vegetation is found in these
ecosystems. Animals found in these ecosystems usually have tick fur coats to protect them from
cold climates.

Besides, mainly coniferous trees exist on the lower slopes of the mountains. Examples of
mountain ecosystems include mountain tops in Arctic regions. They are covered with snow for
most of the year. Tundra type of ecosystem is found in the Arctic or mountain tops.

4. Desert Ecosystem

Desert ecosystems exist worldwide and cover about 17 percent of desert areas. These are areas
where annual rainfall is usually measured less than 25 mm. Due to fewer trees and land of sand,
sunlight intensifies in these ecosystems. This is why these ecosystems have incredibly high
temperatures and low availability of water. However, The days are hot, and the nights are cold.

The Desert ecosystem has unique flora and fauna. Plants grow with small amounts of water and
conserve water's possible amount in their leaves and stems. For example, the spiny-leafed cactus
is a type of desert plant that has the characteristic of storing water using a stem. Similarly,
animals are also adopted to the condition of desert ecosystems. Some common animals are
camels, reptiles, a diverse range of insects and birds.

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

1. 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.
 2. 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.

Human interference in ecosystems

Many of the changes that occur in ecosystems can be described as anthropogenic, or occurring
as a result of human activity. The following list describes five of the most significant
anthropogenic effects on ecosystems today.

 Habitat loss occurs through land-use changes, such as the clearing of a forest to plant
crops, and through activities, such as mining, that directly destroy natural landscapes.
 Pollution occurs when harmful substances enter the environment. Examples of pollutants
include disruptive light or noise from human activities, or harmful chemical wastes. For
example, the nitrogen in fertilizer runoff can induce the rapid overgrowth of algae in
oceans. These algal blooms choke the surrounding waters of available oxygen, resulting
in dead zones, or nutrient-depleted regions that can't support plant or animal life.
 Invasive species are species that have become established in a new environment,
typically as a result of human travel or trade. These non-native species can prey on native
species, or outcompete native species for resources. Invasive species often lack natural
predators in their new environment, so their populations tend to grow quite large,
disrupting the balance of the existing ecosystem.
 The overexploitation of natural resources directly correlates with the need to provide
food and housing to an ever-growing human population. Overfishing, for example,
removes fish from the oceans faster than they can be replaced through reproduction,
stressing the balance of the ecosystem. Burning fossil fuels and cutting old-growth
forests are other examples of overexploitation, as these resources can’t be replaced once
they are gone.
 Climate change describes a long-term shift in global weather patterns. While climate
change is a global phenomenon, it has significant effects at the regional level. For
example, the climate in some temperate regions has shifted and is now characterized by
hotter summers and less annual rainfall. Climate change is occurring relatively quickly
(in terms of geologic time), putting species that can’t adapt to changing conditions at risk
of extinction. The changes in global climate we are seeing today can be attributed
primarily to human activities (such as the burning of fossil fuels) that lead to global
warming.