ECOSYSTEM- Biology

**1. Definition:**

- An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (biotic factors) interacting with each other and
their non-living environment (abiotic factors). Ecosystems can range in size from small microcosms
to large biomes.

**2. Components of Ecosystems:**

- **Biotic Components:**

- Living organisms in the ecosystem, including plants, animals, fungi, bacteria, and more.

- Interactions among species create complex ecological relationships.

- **Abiotic Components:**

- Non-living factors influencing the ecosystem, such as temperature, sunlight, water, soil, and
minerals.

- Abiotic factors determine the types of organisms that can inhabit an ecosystem.

**3. Types of Ecosystems:**

- **Terrestrial Ecosystems:**

- Found on land and include forests, grasslands, deserts, and tundras.

- Vegetation and climate play crucial roles in defining terrestrial ecosystems.

- **Aquatic Ecosystems:**

- Found in water bodies and include freshwater ecosystems (lakes, rivers) and marine ecosystems
(oceans, estuaries).

- Salinity, depth, and water temperature are key factors in aquatic ecosystems.

- **Specialized Ecosystems:**

- Unique environments like coral reefs, wetlands, and mangrove swamps have distinct
characteristics and species.
**4. Energy Flow in Ecosystems:**

- **Trophic Levels:**

- Producers (autotrophs) convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis.

- Consumers (heterotrophs) obtain energy by consuming other organisms.

- Decomposers break down organic matter and return nutrients to the ecosystem.

- **Food Chains and Food Webs:**

- Food chains illustrate the linear flow of energy from one trophic level to another.

- Food webs represent interconnected food chains, showing the complexity of interactions in
ecosystems.

**5. Nutrient Cycling:**

- **Biogeochemical Cycles:**

- Essential nutrients like carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycle through the ecosystem.

- Processes like photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and nitrogen fixation contribute to

nutrient cycling.

**6. Ecological Succession:**

- **Definition:** The gradual process of change and development in an ecosystem over time.

- **Primary Succession:** Occurs in areas with no soil, such as after a volcanic eruption.

- **Secondary Succession:** Occurs in areas with existing soil, following disturbances like forest
fires or clear-cutting.

**7. Human Impact on Ecosystems:**

- **Deforestation and Habitat Loss:**

- Clearing of forests for agriculture or urban development.

- Disrupts habitats and reduces biodiversity.

 - **Pollution:**

- Introduction of contaminants into air, water, or soil.

- Affects the health of organisms and ecosystems.

- **Climate Change:**

- Alters temperature, precipitation patterns, and sea levels.

- Impacts species distribution, migration patterns, and ecosystem stability.

**8. Conservation and Restoration:**

- **Biodiversity Conservation:**

- Protecting diverse species and their habitats.

- Establishing and managing protected areas.

- **Ecosystem Restoration:**

- Reintroducing native species and restoring degraded habitats.

- Implementing sustainable practices to prevent further ecosystem damage.

**9. Keystone Species:**

- **Definition:** A species that has a disproportionately large impact on its ecosystem compared
to its abundance.

- **Role:** Keystone species help maintain biodiversity and the structure of the ecosystem.

**10. Ecosystem Services:**

- **Definition:** Benefits that ecosystems provide to humans.

- **Examples:** Pollination of crops by insects, water purification by wetlands, and climate

regulation by forests.