Ecosystem

The ecosystem is the basic unit of our environment and comprises living organisms and non-
living and how they interact with each other.

The term ecosystem was first used by Arthur Tansley.

Biotic Components
Biotic components refer to all living components in an ecosystem. Based on nutrition, biotic
components can be categorised into autotrophs, heterotrophs and saprotrophs (or
decomposers).

• Producers include all autotrophs such as plants. They are called autotrophs as they can
produce food through the process of 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.

o 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 component 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.
 ❖ Types of Ecosystems
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 ecosystem:

• 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.

❖ Food Chain:
• A simple, linear path of energy flow in an ecosystem.

• Shows the feeding relationships between organisms, one organism consuming

another.

• Examples: grass -> rabbit -> fox; phytoplankton -> zooplankton -> small fish -> large
fish.

❖ Food Web:
• A complex network of interconnected food chains.

• Represents a more realistic view of how organisms interact in an ecosystem.

• Multiple food chains overlap, and organisms may consume or be consumed by various
other organisms.

• Provides alternative pathways for energy transfer, making ecosystems more resilient.

❖ Carbon cycle –
❖ Nitrogen cycle –
OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS

1. An ecosystem that includes rivers and lakes is called _______.

2. Which of the following is a terrestrial ecosystem?

3. Producers in an ecosystem are mainly _______.

4. The non-living components of an ecosystem are called _______.

5. A food chain always starts with _______.

6. A food web shows _______.

7. Which cycle is responsible for maintaining atmospheric oxygen indirectly?

8. Nitrogen fixation is mainly carried out by _______.

9. Which gas is mainly responsible for global warming?

10. Global warming results in _______.

SUBJECTIVE QUESTIONS

1. What is an ecosystem?

2. Explain aquatic ecosystem with examples.

3. What is a terrestrial ecosystem? Give examples.

4. Describe the structure of an ecosystem.

5. Define food chain and give an example.

6. What is a food web? How is it different from a food chain?

7. Explain the carbon cycle.

8. Describe the nitrogen cycle.

9. What is global warming?

10. State the causes and effects of global warming.

Laboratory Experiment/Practical- 01
Determination of air pollutants harming local environment and also Collect air samples for pollution
for minimum five cities of Bihar.

Term Work – 01
Describe the global warming with arguing about its causes, effects and also provide some preventive
measures from your side.