What is it?
- The term ecosystem was coined by Sir Arthur Tansley in 1935.
- An ecosystem is a functional unit of nature encompassing complex interaction between its biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components.
Components
- Abiotic components– comprise inorganic materials, such as carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, water etc., while biotic components include producers, consumers and decomposers.
Functions of Ecosystem
- The functional attributes of ecosystems ensure that their components work cohesively.
- Ecosystem functions involve natural processes or energy exchanges occurring among various plant and animal groups across the world’s biomes.
- For instance, green leaves produce food and roots absorb nutrients from the soil; herbivores consume these leaves and roots, and predators consume the herbivores.
- Decomposers break down complex organic materials into simple inorganic compounds that producers can use.
- Essentially, ecosystem functions are the flow of energy and nutrients through the food chain.
- These interactions sustain plant and animal life on earth, facilitate organic matter decomposition, and support biomass production.
Types of Ecosystem
- Terrestrial Ecosystem – A terrestrial ecosystem is a land-based community of organisms and the interactions of biotic and abiotic components in a given area. Examples of terrestrial ecosystems include the tundra, taigas, temperate deciduous forests, tropical rainforests, grasslands, and deserts.
- Aquatic Ecosystem – Aquatic ecosystems include oceans, lakes, rivers, streams, estuaries, and wetlands. Within these aquatic ecosystems are living things that depend on the water for survival, such as fish, plants, and microorganisms. These ecosystems are very fragile and can be easily disturbed by pollution.