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An ecosystem is a functional unit of nature in which living organisms (biotic) interact with non-living components (abiotic) and with each other.
Examples:
Exam definition: Ecosystem is the interaction of organisms with their physical environment as a system through energy flow and nutrient cycling.
The interaction between abiotic and biotic components maintains ecosystem balance.
Breakdown of dead organic matter into simpler substances. Steps: fragmentation → leaching → catabolism → humification → mineralisation.
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An ecosystem is a functional unit of nature in which living organisms (biotic) interact with non-living components (abiotic) and with each other.
Examples:
Exam definition: Ecosystem is the interaction of organisms with their physical environment as a system through energy flow and nutrient cycling.
The interaction between abiotic and biotic components maintains ecosystem balance.
Breakdown of dead organic matter into simpler substances. Steps: fragmentation → leaching → catabolism → humification → mineralisation.
Movement of nutrients (carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus) between living and non-living components. Nutrient cycling keeps soil fertile and supports life.
A food chain is a linear sequence showing transfer of energy from one organism to another.
Types:
Food chains show dependence and energy movement in ecosystem.
A food web is a network of interconnected food chains. It is more stable than a single food chain.
Pyramids represent trophic levels:
Energy pyramid is always upright because energy decreases at each level.
Energy flow is one-way: Sun → producers → consumers → decomposers.
Trophic level: feeding level in an ecosystem.
10% law (Lindeman): only about 10% of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next; the rest is lost as heat.
So higher trophic levels have less energy and fewer organisms.
Succession is a gradual change in species composition over time.
Succession generally moves towards a stable community (climax) if undisturbed.
Ecosystem services (exam points):
Protecting ecosystems is necessary for human survival.
From this topic
Producers make food; consumers depend on others for food; decomposers break down dead matter and recycle nutrients. Producers are autotrophs; consumers and decomposers are heterotrophs.
Air, water, soil, sunlight, temperature and nutrients are abiotic components (any three).
An ecosystem is a functional unit of nature where living organisms (biotic components) interact with the physical environment (abiotic components).
Structure of ecosystem:
Functions:
Thus ecosystem maintains balance and supports life through energy flow and nutrient cycling.