Ecosystem

Ecosystem is the interaction of living things among themselves and with their surrounding environment.

There are two basic ecosystems –

· Terrestrial

· Aquatic

Structure of Ecosystem

Ø The interactions between the various biotic and abiotic factors of an ecosystem lead to the maintenance of the ecosystem.

Ø Stratification is the vertical distribution of the different species occupying the different levels. For example, trees occur at a higher level then shrubs.

Ø The various aspects taken into consideration to study the functioning of ecosystem are:

o Productivity

o Decomposition

o Energy flow

o Nutrient cycling