What is an ECOSYSTEM?

• An ecosystem can be defined as a biological environment consisting of

all the organisms living in a particular area interacting with each other,
as well as with all the nonliving, physical components of the
environment, such as air, soil, water, and sunlight, exchanging energy
and matter.
• The study of ecosystems is called ecology. The term ecology was coined
in 1869 (by Ernst Haeckel) much before the term ecosystem.
Structure
• Biotic components, or biotic factors, can be described as any living component that
affects another organism or shapes the ecosystem.

• Producers, otherwise known as autotrophs, convert energy (through the

process of photosynthesis) into food.
• Consumers, otherwise known as heterotrophs, depend upon producers (and
occasionally other consumers) for food.
• Decomposers, otherwise known as detritivores, break down chemicals from
producers and consumers into simpler form which can be reused.
• Abiotic Components –
• The abiotic components are air, water, salts, light, temperature, nutrients etc.
• Nutrients such as N, P and Ca, necessary for the growth of living organisms are
accumulated in the biomass and the abiotic components like the soil.
Functions of an Ecosystem
• Primary Production • Soil Formation and Erosion Control
• Nutrient Cycling • Pollination and Seed Dispersal
• Pest Control
• Biodiversity Support
• Recreation and Cultural Services
• Climate Regulation
• Provision of Natural Resources
• Water Cycle Regulation
Nutrient Cycling
• Nutrient cycling is a cyclic process that encompasses the movement of nutrients from the
physical environment to living organisms and back to the environment. Nutrients are
present on the earth where they are recycled, transformed into different forms and
reutilized.
• It is required for the transformation of nutrients from one form to another so that it can
be readily utilized by different organisms, e.g. plants cannot take atmospheric nitrogen
and it has to be fixed and converted to ammonium and nitrate for uptake.
• Nutrient cycles keep the ecosystem in equilibrium and help in storing nutrients for future
uptake
• Transfer of nutrients from one place to another for utilization, e.g. air to soil or water
Ecological Concepts
TROPHIC LEVELS- Trophic levels can be defined as the feeding position in a food
chain such as primary producers, herbivore, primary carnivore etc., Organisms
within an ecosystem can be categorized into different trophic levels based on their
primary sources of nutrition and their roles as producers or consumers.
ENERGY FLOW- Energy flow in an ecosystem refers to the transfer and
transformation of energy through various trophic levels, starting from producers
(autotrophs) and moving up through consumers (heterotrophs). It represents the
movement of energy from one organism to another as organisms interact through
feeding relationships. Energy flow is vital for sustaining life within an ecosystem. It
supports the growth, reproduction, and activities of organisms, enabling them to
carry out essential life functions.
FOOD CHAIN - A food chain is a linear sequence that represents the transfer of
energy and nutrients between different organisms in an ecosystem. It illustrates
the feeding relationships and flow of energy from one organism to another, starting
with a primary producer and progressing through various consumers up to the top
predator. Each step in the food chain is known as a trophic level.
FOOD WEB - A food web is a more complex representation of the feeding
relationships within an ecosystem compared to a simple food chain. It is a graphical
model that depicts the interconnection of multiple food chains, showing the various
pathways through which energy and nutrients flow among different organisms.
Food chain vs Food Web
ECOLOGICAL PYRAMIDS- Ecological pyramids, also known as energy pyramids or
trophic pyramids, are graphical representations of the flow of energy, biomass, or
numbers of organisms through the different trophic levels of an ecosystem.
*Pyramid of Energy *Pyramid of Biomass *Pyramid of Numbers
ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION
• Ecological succession refers to the process of change and development in the
species composition and structure of an ecological community over time. It
describes the gradual transition of plant and animal communities in an
ecosystem following a disturbance, such as a natural disaster, fire, or the
abandonment of agricultural land. Ecological succession is driven by a
combination of biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors, including
changes in soil composition, availability of resources, climate conditions, and
interactions between species.