Question

Write notes on the structure and functioning of an ecosystem.

Answer 1

Living organisms cannot live isolated from their non-living environment be­cause the latter provides materials and energy for the survival of the former i.e. there is an interaction between a biotic community and its environment to produce a stable system; a natural self-sufficient unit which is known as an ecosystem.

An ecosystem, therefore includes all of the living things (plants, animals and organisms) in a given area, interacting with each other, and also with their non-living environments (weather, earth, sun, soil, climate, atmosphere). A pond, lake, desert, grassland, meadow, forest etc. are common examples of ecosystems. Ecosystems are the foundations of the Biosphere and they determine the health of the entire earth system.

This very complex, but wonderful interaction of living things and their environment, has been the foundations of energy flow and recycling of carbon and nitrogen

Anytime a ‘stranger’ (living thing(s) or an external factor such as rise in temperature) is introduced to an ecosystem, it can be disastrous to that ecosystem. This is because the new organism (or factor) can distort the natural balance of the interaction and potentially harm or destroy the ecosystem.

Usually, biotic members of an ecosystem, together with their abiotic factors depend on each other. This means the absence of one member or one abiotic factor can affect all parties of the ecosystem.