What is Ecosystem? Definition, Meaning & Example
A community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment, including soil, water, and atmosphere.
TL;DR: A community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment, including soil, water, and atmosphere.
Written & reviewed by the Syllab.in Academic Team (CBSE/NCERT subject experts) · Updated
Ecosystem: A community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment, including soil, water, and atmosphere.
Explanation
An ecosystem comprises biotic components like plants, animals, and microorganisms, and abiotic components like sunlight, temperature, water, and soil. Energy flows through the ecosystem from the sun to producers like plants, then to consumers like herbivores and carnivores. Nutrients cycle between organisms and the environment. Indian ecosystems vary from tropical rainforests to deserts to mangrove swamps, each with unique biodiversity and food chains.
Example
A pond ecosystem includes water plants that produce oxygen, fish and frogs that eat insects, insects that feed on plants, and bacteria that decompose dead matter, all supported by sunlight and nutrients in the water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an ecosystem and a habitat?
A habitat is the place where an organism lives, while an ecosystem includes all the organisms and their physical environment interacting together.
Why are decomposers important in an ecosystem?
Decomposers break down dead organisms and return nutrients to the soil, which plants use for growth, completing the nutrient cycle.
More Biology Terms
🤖 Stuck on any of these? Ask Syllab's free AI Tutor to explain step by step →