Ecosystems Overview

Ecosystems

Definition

• An ecosystem is a community of living and non-living components interacting with each other in a specific environment

Components of an Ecosystem

• Biotic Factors:
  • Producers (plants, algae, phytoplankton): convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis
  • Consumers (herbivores, carnivores, omnivores): obtain energy by consuming other organisms
  • Decomposers (bacteria, fungi): break down organic matter into simpler compounds
• Abiotic Factors:
  • Light
  • Temperature
  • Water
  • Soil
  • Air
  • Nutrients

Energy Flow in Ecosystems

• Producers convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis
• Herbivores feed on producers
• Carnivores feed on herbivores
• Omnivores feed on both producers and herbivores
• Decomposers break down dead organic matter, releasing nutrients back into the ecosystem

Ecosystem Services

• Supporting Services: nutrient cycling, soil formation, primary production
• Provisioning Services: food, water, wood, medicinal resources
• Regulating Services: climate regulation, air and water purification, pest control
• Cultural Services: recreation, tourism, spiritual enrichment

Types of Ecosystems

• Terrestrial Ecosystems: forests, grasslands, deserts
• Freshwater Ecosystems: rivers, lakes, wetlands
• Marine Ecosystems: coral reefs, estuaries, open ocean
• Arctic/Antarctic Ecosystems: tundra, ice sheets

Ecosystem Disruption

• Habitat Destruction: human activities leading to loss of natural habitats
• Invasive Species: non-native species outcompeting native species for resources
• Climate Change: altering ecosystem processes and species distributions

Conservation Efforts

• Protected Areas: national parks, wildlife reserves, conservation areas
• Sustainable Resource Management: responsible forestry, fishing, and agriculture practices
• Ecological Restoration: rehabilitating damaged or degraded ecosystems

Ecosystem Definition

• An ecosystem is a community of living and non-living components interacting with each other in a specific environment

Components of an Ecosystem

• Biotic Factors: living components of an ecosystem
  • Producers (plants, algae, phytoplankton): convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis
  • Consumers (herbivores, carnivores, omnivores): obtain energy by consuming other organisms
  • Decomposers (bacteria, fungi): break down organic matter into simpler compounds
• Abiotic Factors: non-living components of an ecosystem
  • Light
  • Temperature
  • Water
  • Soil
  • Air
  • Nutrients

Energy Flow in Ecosystems

• Producers convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis
• Herbivores feed on producers
• Carnivores feed on herbivores
• Omnivores feed on both producers and herbivores
• Decomposers break down dead organic matter, releasing nutrients back into the ecosystem

Ecosystem Services

• Supporting Services: nutrient cycling, soil formation, primary production
• Provisioning Services: food, water, wood, medicinal resources
• Regulating Services: climate regulation, air and water purification, pest control
• Cultural Services: recreation, tourism, spiritual enrichment

Types of Ecosystems

• Terrestrial Ecosystems: forests, grasslands, deserts
• Freshwater Ecosystems: rivers, lakes, wetlands
• Marine Ecosystems: coral reefs, estuaries, open ocean
• Arctic/Antarctic Ecosystems: tundra, ice sheets

Ecosystem Disruption

• Habitat Destruction: human activities leading to loss of natural habitats
• Invasive Species: non-native species outcompeting native species for resources
• Climate Change: altering ecosystem processes and species distributions

Conservation Efforts

• Protected Areas: national parks, wildlife reserves, conservation areas
• Sustainable Resource Management: responsible forestry, fishing, and agriculture practices
• Ecological Restoration: rehabilitating damaged or degraded ecosystems

Learn about the components of an ecosystem, including biotic and abiotic factors, and how they interact with each other in a specific environment.