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ECOSYSTEM

An ecosystem is defined as a community of living organisms interacting with each other and their non-living environment. Ecosystems have biotic components like plants, animals, and microbes as well as abiotic factors such as temperature, water, and sunlight. There are terrestrial ecosystems on land, aquatic ecosystems in water, and specialized ecosystems like coral reefs. Energy flows through ecosystems via trophic levels from producers to consumers to decomposers in food chains and webs. Nutrients also cycle through ecosystems via processes like photosynthesis, respiration, and decomposition. Ecological succession over time involves changes in ecosystems from primary to secondary stages. Human impacts disrupt ecosystems through deforestation, pollution, and climate change, so conservation and restoration

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44 views3 pages

ECOSYSTEM

An ecosystem is defined as a community of living organisms interacting with each other and their non-living environment. Ecosystems have biotic components like plants, animals, and microbes as well as abiotic factors such as temperature, water, and sunlight. There are terrestrial ecosystems on land, aquatic ecosystems in water, and specialized ecosystems like coral reefs. Energy flows through ecosystems via trophic levels from producers to consumers to decomposers in food chains and webs. Nutrients also cycle through ecosystems via processes like photosynthesis, respiration, and decomposition. Ecological succession over time involves changes in ecosystems from primary to secondary stages. Human impacts disrupt ecosystems through deforestation, pollution, and climate change, so conservation and restoration

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homeboy39139
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ECOSYSTEM- Biology

**1. Definition:**

- An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (biotic factors) interacting with each other and
their non-living environment (abiotic factors). Ecosystems can range in size from small microcosms
to large biomes.

**2. Components of Ecosystems:**

- **Biotic Components:**

- Living organisms in the ecosystem, including plants, animals, fungi, bacteria, and more.

- Interactions among species create complex ecological relationships.

- **Abiotic Components:**

- Non-living factors influencing the ecosystem, such as temperature, sunlight, water, soil, and
minerals.

- Abiotic factors determine the types of organisms that can inhabit an ecosystem.

**3. Types of Ecosystems:**

- **Terrestrial Ecosystems:**

- Found on land and include forests, grasslands, deserts, and tundras.

- Vegetation and climate play crucial roles in defining terrestrial ecosystems.

- **Aquatic Ecosystems:**

- Found in water bodies and include freshwater ecosystems (lakes, rivers) and marine ecosystems
(oceans, estuaries).

- Salinity, depth, and water temperature are key factors in aquatic ecosystems.

- **Specialized Ecosystems:**

- Unique environments like coral reefs, wetlands, and mangrove swamps have distinct
characteristics and species.
**4. Energy Flow in Ecosystems:**

- **Trophic Levels:**

- Producers (autotrophs) convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis.

- Consumers (heterotrophs) obtain energy by consuming other organisms.

- Decomposers break down organic matter and return nutrients to the ecosystem.

- **Food Chains and Food Webs:**

- Food chains illustrate the linear flow of energy from one trophic level to another.

- Food webs represent interconnected food chains, showing the complexity of interactions in
ecosystems.

**5. Nutrient Cycling:**

- **Biogeochemical Cycles:**

- Essential nutrients like carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycle through the ecosystem.

- Processes like photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and nitrogen fixation contribute to


nutrient cycling.

**6. Ecological Succession:**

- **Definition:** The gradual process of change and development in an ecosystem over time.

- **Primary Succession:** Occurs in areas with no soil, such as after a volcanic eruption.

- **Secondary Succession:** Occurs in areas with existing soil, following disturbances like forest
fires or clear-cutting.

**7. Human Impact on Ecosystems:**

- **Deforestation and Habitat Loss:**

- Clearing of forests for agriculture or urban development.

- Disrupts habitats and reduces biodiversity.


- **Pollution:**

- Introduction of contaminants into air, water, or soil.

- Affects the health of organisms and ecosystems.

- **Climate Change:**

- Alters temperature, precipitation patterns, and sea levels.

- Impacts species distribution, migration patterns, and ecosystem stability.

**8. Conservation and Restoration:**

- **Biodiversity Conservation:**

- Protecting diverse species and their habitats.

- Establishing and managing protected areas.

- **Ecosystem Restoration:**

- Reintroducing native species and restoring degraded habitats.

- Implementing sustainable practices to prevent further ecosystem damage.

**9. Keystone Species:**

- **Definition:** A species that has a disproportionately large impact on its ecosystem compared
to its abundance.

- **Role:** Keystone species help maintain biodiversity and the structure of the ecosystem.

**10. Ecosystem Services:**

- **Definition:** Benefits that ecosystems provide to humans.

- **Examples:** Pollination of crops by insects, water purification by wetlands, and climate


regulation by forests.

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