Ecosystem: Classification, Structure and Function

Ecosystem is defined as a geographic area where plants, animals, microbes along with the weather and landscape , work together to sustain their life. ‘Eco’ refers to the part of the world and ‘system’ refers to the coordinating unit. In other words, it is the summation of all living and nonliving factors of a particular environment.

Classification of an ecosystem can be done according to the type of environment in which the system works. In this article we will learn about the ecosystem and its structure, classification and its importance in nature.

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Classification of Ecosystem

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The ecosystem is also defined as a community of biotic and abiotic factors either on land or in water. On the basis of geographical area and environment, the classification of Ecosystem can be done in two ways: Aquatic ecosystem and Terrestrial ecosystem.

1. Aquatic ecosystem

The marine ecosystem involves the underwater lifeform. It includes all sea animals, plants and the type of water body where the biotic factors survive. The aquatic ecosystem is further classified into two types, freshwater and marine ecosystems.

Freshwater ecosystem

This involves all animals and plants living in freshwater that have no salt in it. For example, rivers, lakes, wells, ponds and wetlands.

Biotic factors in the freshwater ecosystem involve fishes, algae, tortoise, and other aquatic plants.

Marine ecosystem

Marine ecosystem consists of all marine animals like fishes, crocodiles, and other sea animals along with aquatic plants. This includes the lifeforms that survive in the ocean that have high salt concentration.

2. Terrestrial ecosystem

Ecosystem that is established on land is called a terrestrial ecosystem. Unile, aquatic ecosystems, these ecosystems are formed outside the water bodies and further classified into four types.

Forest ecosystem

It is made up of all the wild animals, birds and insects that live in forests along with the trees and other species of grass that is found in the forests. All the biotic and abiotic factors in this environment coordinate with each other to thrive in the ecosystem.

Grassland ecosystem

Grassland ecosystem is all about the grasses and herbs. Examples of grassland ecosystems are the temperate and tropical or savanna ecosystems.

Desert ecosystem

Deserts ate the area with little or no rainfall. The vegetation is scarce in such an area. Animals found in the desert can be camels, kangaroos, foxes etc.

Tundra ecosystem

The Tundra ecosystem is where trees are found but in cold climates. This part of the ecosystem is covered with snow most of the year. This ecosystem is found in arctic area and mountain tops.

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Structure of Ecosystem

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The structure of the ecosystem defines the organization of the particular ecosystem. All the biotic and abiotic factors work in such a way that governs the structure or organization of that ecosystem.

Main two components of the ecosystem are Biotic factors and Abiotic factors.

•  Abiotic factors are land, water, air, temperature, altitude and turbidity.
• The biotic factors can be of 3 different types- Producers, Consumers and Decomposers.

1. Producers

Biotic or living factors that produce energy or food for themselves as well as for other biotic factors in that ecosystem. For example, a plant produces energy by photosynthesis and develops fruits and leaves that can be consumed by other animals, birds, insects and even humans. Here the plant is a producer for the ecosystem. As plants produce energy by themselves, they are called autotrophs.All other factors rely on autotrophs to maintain the food chains.

2. Consumers

Consumers are heterotrophs that rely for food on other organisms or autotrophs. Consumers are of four types- primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary consumers.

Primary consumers

All The herbivores are primary consumers as they rely on plants and herbs for food.

Secondary consumers

They depend on herbivores for energy. It includes carnivores and omnivores.

Tertiary consumers

Organisms that are dependent on the secondary consumers are called tertiary consumers. It also consists of carnivores and omnivores.

Quaternary consumers

Organisms that prey on tertiary consumers are called quaternary consumers. They are situated on top of the food chain as they have no natural predators.

3. Decomposers

Microorganisms like fungi and bacteria are decomposers of an ecosystem. They thrive on dead and decaying animals or organic matter. These organisms are very essential factors as they help in recycling the nutrients for plant growth.

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Function of Ecosystem

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Main functions of an ecosystem are as listed below.

1. Regulation of ecology.
2. Supports the life systems and maintains stability.
3. Recycle the nutrients and minerals.
4. Balances the trophic levels.
5. Abiotic components help in synthesis of organic components that involve the exchange of energy.

Functional unit of an ecosystem are:

Productivity- Rate of biomass production.

Energy flow- A flow by which energy flows in different trophic levels, starting from sun to producers to consumers and last to decomposers which goes back to the environment.

Decomposition-Breaking down the dead organic materials.

Nutrient recycling- Nutritions are consumed and recycled back for the utilization by various organisms.

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Things to Remember

• An ecosystem is the whole biotic and abiotic components of a particular geographical area.
• The components of an ecosystem work together to thrive in the environment.
• Ecosystems can be classified in 2 main types i.e Aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
• Aquatic ecosystems involve marine and freshwater ecosystems on the bases of the type of water body.
• Terrestrial ecosystem is of four types i.e. Forest, Desert, Tundra and Grassland ecosystem.
• Structure of an ecosystem involves two main components- Abiotic and Biotic factors.
• Biotic factors are further classified as producers, consumers and decomposers.
• Functions of the ecosystem involve the units like energy flow, decomposition, productivity and nutrient recycling.