What is an Ecosystem?

An ecosystem includes all of the living things (plants, animals and organisms) in a
given area, interacting with each other, and also with their non-living environments
(weather, earth, sun, soil, climate, and atmosphere). In an ecosystem, each
organism has its' own role to play.
Kids of Ecosystem:
These are the primary types of ecosystems:
Natural ecosystems: Natural ecosystems work themselves without the influence
of mankind like desert, forest, pond, river, or lake.
Artificial ecosystems: Humans have made some ecosystems for their own benefit.
These are artificial ecosystems. They can be crop fields and gardens, dams, and
ponds.
Micro Ecosystem
A small-scale and experimental ecosystem like in a laboratory- or field- based. It
derived directly from nature, when samples of pond water are maintained.
Components of Ecosystem
An ecosystem is has two major components which are abiotic and biotic. An
Energy cycles through the abiotic and biotic components maintain balance within
the ecosystem.
Abiotic or non-living components
The abiotic parts of an ecosystem include the non-living components, such as air,
water and the basic compounds of the environment. Climatic factors include the
physical characteristics of the environment, such as, light, atmospheric temperature
and wind.
Biotic or living components

The biotic component of the ecosystem comprises living organisms. The biotic
members of an ecosystem depend on each other. This means the absence of one
member can affect all parties of the ecosystem. A number of species interact with
each other to maintain the energy cycle of the ecosystem balanced.
Classification of Biotic Component
Producers
Producers are the living organisms in the ecosystem that take in energy from
sunlight. It transforms carbon dioxide and oxygen into sugars. Plants and
photosynthetic bacteria are all examples of producers.
Consumers
Consumers are living organisms in the ecosystem that get their energy from
consuming other organisms. The consumers are further subdivided by what they
eat: Herbivores eat producers, carnivores eat other animals and omnivores eat both.
Decomposers
Decomposers are the living component of the ecosystem that breaks down waste
material and dead organisms. Examples of decomposers include earthworms and
many species of fungi and bacteria. Decomposers represent the final step in many
of the cyclical ecosystem processes.
PROCESS OF FUNCTIONING OF THE ECOSYSTEM
The carbon dioxide from air, water and minerals from water bodies and soil are
again taken up by green plants along with solar energy to make their food. This
process is repeated again and again. This leads to continuous functioning of the
ecosystem.

IMPORTANCE OF ECOSYSTEM/Life without Ecosystem

We know that no living organism can live in isolation. We cannot survive without
producers in nature. All living beings depend on other living beings in the
biological community. Not only they are dependent on one another, but also each
of them exist in a certain proportion. This creates a complete balance in nature
amongst living organisms.