Ecosystems: Types and Components

Definition and Components

• An ecosystem is a community of living and non-living things that interact with each other in a specific environment.
• Components of an ecosystem:
  • Biotic factors: living organisms (plants, animals, microorganisms)
  • Abiotic factors: non-living components (water, air, soil, sunlight, temperature)

Types of Ecosystems

• Terrestrial ecosystems: forests, grasslands, deserts, tundra
• Freshwater ecosystems: rivers, lakes, wetlands
• Marine ecosystems: coral reefs, estuaries, open ocean
• Artificial ecosystems: agricultural systems, urban ecosystems

Energy Flow and Nutrient Cycling

• Energy flow: producers (plants) convert sunlight into energy, which is then transferred to consumers (herbivores, carnivores, omnivores)
• Nutrient cycling: nutrients are recycled through the ecosystem through decomposition, nitrogen fixation, and nutrient uptake

Ecological Relationships

• Symbiotic relationships:
  • Mutualism: both species benefit
  • Commensalism: one species benefits, the other is not affected
  • Parasitism: one species benefits, the other is harmed
• Predation and competition: relationships between species that affect population dynamics

Ecosystem Services

• Provisioning services: providing resources (food, water, wood)
• Regulating services: regulating climate, water cycles, and disease
• Cultural services: providing recreational and spiritual benefits
• Supporting services: maintaining soil health, pollination, and nutrient cycling

Human Impact on Ecosystems

• Habitat destruction and fragmentation
• Climate change and global warming
• Pollution and invasive species
• Overexploitation of resources (overfishing, overhunting)

Ecosystems

• An ecosystem consists of a community of living and non-living components that interact with each other in a specific environment.
• It has two main components: biotic factors (living organisms) and abiotic factors (non-living components).

Biotic and Abiotic Factors

• Biotic factors include plants, animals, and microorganisms.
• Abiotic factors include water, air, soil, sunlight, and temperature.

Types of Ecosystems

• Terrestrial ecosystems include forests, grasslands, deserts, and tundra.
• Freshwater ecosystems include rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
• Marine ecosystems include coral reefs, estuaries, and open ocean.
• Artificial ecosystems include agricultural systems and urban ecosystems.

Energy Flow

• Energy flow occurs when producers (plants) convert sunlight into energy, which is then transferred to consumers (herbivores, carnivores, omnivores).

Nutrient Cycling

• Nutrient cycling involves the recycling of nutrients through the ecosystem via decomposition, nitrogen fixation, and nutrient uptake.

Ecological Relationships

• Mutualism: both species benefit from each other.
• Commensalism: one species benefits, while the other is not affected.
• Parasitism: one species benefits, while the other is harmed.
• Predation and competition: relationships between species that affect population dynamics.

Ecosystem Services

• Provisioning services: providing resources such as food, water, and wood.
• Regulating services: regulating climate, water cycles, and disease.
• Cultural services: providing recreational and spiritual benefits.
• Supporting services: maintaining soil health, pollination, and nutrient cycling.

Human Impact on Ecosystems

• Habitat destruction and fragmentation occur when natural habitats are destroyed or divided.
• Climate change and global warming are caused by human activities, leading to rising temperatures and altered ecosystems.
• Pollution and invasive species can harm ecosystems and native species.
• Overexploitation of resources, such as overfishing and overhunting, can deplete ecosystems.