Environment

 What is an Ecosystem?

An ecosystem is a structural and functional unit of ecology where the living organisms interact with each other and the surrounding environment. In other words, an ecosystem is a chain of interactions between organisms and their environment. The term “Ecosystem” was first coined by A.G.Tansley, an English botanist, in 1935.


Read on to explore the structure, components, types and functions of the ecosystem in the notes provided below.


Structure of the Ecosystem

The structure of an ecosystem is characterised by the organisation of both biotic and abiotic components. This includes the distribution of energy in our environment. It also includes the climatic conditions prevailing in that particular environment. 



The structure of an ecosystem can be split into two main components, namely: 

Biotic Components

Abiotic Components

The biotic and abiotic components are interrelated in an ecosystem. It is an open system where the energy and components can flow throughout the boundaries.


Ecosystem

Biotic Components

Biotic components refer to all living components in an ecosystem. Based on nutrition, biotic components can be categorised into autotrophs, heterotrophs and saprotrophs (or decomposers).

Similarly, plants depend on animals for reasons like dispersal of fruits and seeds, pollination, and for the carbon dioxide that is produced by animals. In this way, both plants and animals are interdependent on each other.

The effects  of overgrazing  and deforestation to the environment are:

According to WWF (World Wildlife Organization) Overgrazing can reduce ground cover, enabling erosion and compaction of the land by wind and rain... This reduces the ability for plants to grow and water to penetrate, which harms soil microbes and results in serious erosion of the land.


Trees absorb and store carbon dioxide. If forests are cleared, or even disturbed, they release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Forest loss and damage is the cause of around 10% of global warming. There's simply no way we can fight the climate crisis if we don't stop deforestation.





 


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