Ecosystem Definition

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

components, interacting with each other.”

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 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 organization of both biotic and abiotic components characterizes the structure of an
ecosystem. 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 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 components 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. 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 then to decomposers and finally back to the environment.
 Decomposition – It is the process of breakdown of dead organic material. The topsoil
is the major site for decomposition.
 Nutrient cycling – In an ecosystem nutrients are consumed and recycled back in
various forms for 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 ecosystems:

 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 principles in 1927.

The biomass, number, and energy of organisms ranging from the producer 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 mice, 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

The 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

Q1 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.
Q2 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
Q3 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
Q4 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.
Q5 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.
Q6 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.
Q7 What is the major function of an ecosystem?
The ecosystem is the functional unit of the environmental system. The abiotic components
provide the matrix for the synthesis of organic components. This process involves the
exchange of energy.
Q8 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 decomposers that break
down dead plants and animal matter, returning essential nutrients to the soil.
Q9 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.