Ecosystem

Ecosystem
The term ecosystem was first coined by A.G Tansley. The ecosystem word comes from two
different words. Eco means the environment and the other hand system is the interaction. To
sum it up for the ecosystem is the interaction of biotic all living things with the non-living
environment.
Different ecologists define ecosystems differently. ecosystem is a structural and functional
unit of ecology where the living organisms interact with each other and the surrounding
environment. In other words, an ecosystem is a chain of interactions between organisms and
their environment.
Structure of the Ecosystem

The structure of an ecosystem is characterised by the organisation of both biotic and abiotic
components.
 Abiotic Components
 Biotic Components
The biotic and abiotic components are interrelated in an ecosystem. It is an open system
where the energy and components can flow throughout the boundaries.
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
Biotic component
Biotic elements consist of all the living components within an ecosystem. These can be
divided into producer, Consumer and decomposers based on their nutritional needs.
 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.
 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.
Functions of Ecosystem
The primary functions of an ecosystem include:
1. The abiotic components play a significant role in the synthesis of organic

components, which involves energy exchange
2. Cycling nutrients between biotic and abiotic components.
3. Regulating essential ecological processes and supporting life systems while
maintaining stability.
4. Maintaining a balance among various trophic levels in the ecosystem.
5. Cycling minerals through the biosphere.
The functional units of an ecosystem that work collaboratively include:
1. Productivity – The rate of biomass production.

2. Energy flow – Ecosystems facilitate the flow of energy through food chains. This
energy originates from the sun and is captured by producers (plants) through
photosynthesis. It then passes on to consumers (animals) and finally to decomposers
(microorganisms).
3. Decomposition – The breakdown process of dead organic material, primarily
occurring in the top-soil.
4. Nutrient cycling – Ecosystems are responsible for the cycling of nutrients between
biotic and abiotic components. This includes the cycling of essential elements like
carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, which are used by organisms for growth and
reproduction.
Energy Flow
Energy flow in an ecosystem is defined as the movement or transfer of energy from one
trophic level to another in an ecosystem. The energy that is passed is in the form of
chemical energy.
The energy flow in the ecosystem is one of the major factors that support the survival of such
a great number of organisms. For almost all organisms on earth, the primary source of energy
is solar energy. All the biotic components in this ecosystem need energy for their survival.
The chemical energy of food is the main source of energy required by all living organisms.
This energy is transmitted to different trophic levels along the food chain. This energy flow is
based on two different laws of thermodynamics:
 First Law of thermodynamics: It states that energy can neither be created nor
destroyed, but it keeps changing from one form to the other. Similarly, in an ecosystem,
the main source of energy is the sun, and this energy from the sun is transferred from
one level to the other.
 Second Law of thermodynamics: It states that when energy transforms from one form
to another, some part of it is lost as heat to the surroundings. Thus, the energy at one
level is never completely transferred to the other .

Ecosystem

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Ecosystem

Structure of the Ecosystem

 Secondary consumers depend on primary consumers for energy. They can

 Tertiary consumers are organisms that depend on secondary consumers for

 Quaternary consumers are present in some food chains. These organisms’

1. The abiotic components play a significant role in the synthesis of organic

1. Productivity – The rate of biomass production.

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