Define Ecosystem

Ecosystem

• It is the interaction of living things among themselves and with their surrounding environment.

• There are two basic ecosystems terrestrial and aquatic.

Structure of Ecosystem

• The interactions between the various biotic and abiotic factors of an ecosystem lead to the maintenance of the ecosystem.

• Stratification is the vertical distribution of the different species occupying the different levels. For example, trees occur at a higher level then shrubs.

• The various aspects taken into consideration to study the functioning of ecosystem are:

  • Productivity

  • Decomposition

  • Energy flow

  • Nutrient cycling