An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (plants, animals, and microorganisms) in conjunction with the nonliving components of their environment (such as air, water, and mineralsoil), interacting as a system. These biotic and abiotic components are linked together through nutrient cycles and energy flows.
Consumers: These are organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms. They can be herbivores (plant eaters), carnivores (meat eaters), or omnivores (both plant and meat eaters).
Ecosystems are essential for the survival of all living organisms, including humans, as they provide vital services such as oxygen production, carbon sequestration, water purification, and food resources. Understanding and preserving ecosystems is crucial for maintaining biodiversity and sustaining life on Earth.
Study Guide
Here are some key points to remember when studying ecosystems:
Define the term "ecosystem" and explain its components.
Identify and describe different types of ecosystems, providing examples of each.
Implement scientific principles to design processes for monitoring and minimizing human impact on the environment (e.g., water usage, including withdrawal of water from streams and aquifers or construction of dams and levees; land usage, including urban development, agriculture, or removal of wetlands; pollution of air, water, and land).