Ecosystem|| Key points to Undersy Ecosystem|| Important For SEE-Class 10
Ecosystem:
An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (plants, animals, and microorganisms) interacting with each other and their physical environment (air, water, soil) in a particular area. It is a system where biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components work together, forming a complex network of relationships.
Key Points to Understand and Remember:
Biotic and Abiotic Components:
Biotic components: The living organisms in an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms.
Abiotic components: Non-living physical and chemical elements like air, water, soil, sunlight, and temperature.
Energy Flow: Energy flows through an ecosystem in one direction: from the sun to producers (plants) and then to consumers (animals) and decomposers (bacteria, fungi).
Producers (Autotrophs): Organisms like plants that produce their own food via photosynthesis.
Consumers (Heterotrophs): Animals that consume plants or other animals for energy.
Decomposers: Organisms like fungi and bacteria that break down dead organic matter and recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem.
Food Chain and Food Web: A food chain represents the linear sequence of organisms through which energy flows (e.g., grass → deer → lion). A food web shows interconnected food chains and more accurately represents the complexity of feeding relationships in an ecosystem.
Nutrient Cycles: Nutrients such as carbon, nitrogen, and water are constantly recycled in an ecosystem through processes like the carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, and water cycle.
These cycles are crucial for maintaining the balance of ecosystems.
Ecosystem Types:
Terrestrial Ecosystems: Land-based ecosystems (forests, grasslands, deserts).
Aquatic Ecosystems: Water-based ecosystems (ponds, rivers, oceans).
Artificial Ecosystems: Man-made ecosystems (farms, gardens, cities).
Balance and Stability:
Ecosystems are usually self-sustaining and remain in balance through natural processes.
Disturbances (e.g., pollution, deforestation) can disrupt this balance, affecting biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Biodiversity: Refers to the variety of life within an ecosystem, including the diversity of species, genetic variation, and ecosystems themselves.
Healthy ecosystems typically have high biodiversity, which increases resilience to changes or disturbances.
Trophic Levels:
Organisms in an ecosystem are grouped based on their role in the food chain:
- Producers (First trophic level)
- Primary consumers (Herbivores)
- Secondary consumers (Carnivores)
- Tertiary consumers (Top predators)
Human Impact:
Human activities like deforestation, pollution, and urbanization can degrade ecosystems, leading to loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Ecosystem Services:
Ecosystems provide essential services to humans, such as clean air and water, pollination of crops, climate regulation, and raw materials like timber and medicine.
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