Concepts of Ecosystem
These are the important concepts under the ecosystem. Those are:
Food Chain and Food Webs
The cycle of energy starts with solar energy. The chain of energy transfer from one level to the topmost level is known as the food chain. Plants absorb solar energy and synthesize their food. Later on, herbivores feed on the plants for energy. Similarly, carnivores and omnivores feed on them for energy.
The interconnected food chain is known as the food web. In nature mostly food webs are common instead of the food chain.
Also Read: Difference Btetween Food Webs and Food Chain
Ecological Pyramids
These are the graphical representations of the number, energy, and biomass of the trophic level of an ecosystem. Charles Elton postulated the ecological pyramid in 1927. The base of the ecological pyramid denotes the producers of that particular ecosystem. Then it is followed by the consumers and the top decomposers.
Energy Flow in Ecosystem
The flow of energy in the ecosystem is always in one direction or unidirectional. Even though producers tend to absorb 100% sun’s light energy in their capacity, they only pass on 10% of that energy to the next trophic level and then only 10% of that energy is passed into the next level.
Biogeochemical Cycle
It is also known as the nutrient cycle and includes all the phenomena that ensure that all the basic elements of nutrients like carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus that are absorbed by living organisms from the environment are returned to the environment. This process involves the transfer of nutrients between abiotic and biotic factors and vice-versa. It includes the carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, water cycle, phosphorus cycle, etc.
What is Ecosystem? Definition, Structure, Types, and Functions
The ecosystem term was first coined by an ecologist Arthur Tansley in 1935. The ecosystem is a balance or equilibrium between living and non-living factors of the ecosystem where they tend to interact with each other. All living things, including plants, animals, and microorganisms, depend on non-living substances to survive and maintain the equilibrium of the natural environment.
This relationship between the living and nonliving elements is studied by the study of ecosystems. In this article, we will discuss ecosystem structure, function, and types of ecosystems.
Table of Content
- What is an Ecosystem?
- Structure of Ecosystem
- Functions of Ecosystem
- Types of Ecosystem
- Functional Units of Ecosystem
- Ecosystem Diversity
- Concepts of Ecosystem