An ecological system, also known as an ecosystem, is a community of living organisms (biotic) and the non-living components (abiotic) of their environment, interacting as a system. This includes plants, animals, microorganisms, soil, rocks, minerals, water, and air. Ecosystems can range in size from a small pond to the entire planet, and they can be found in various environments such as forests, deserts, grasslands, and oceans.

An ecological system consists of the following components:

Abiotic Factors: Non-living components such as soil, water, air, sunlight, temperature, and climate.
Biotic Factors: Living organisms including plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms.
Interactions: The interactions between biotic and abiotic factors, including food chains, nutrient cycles, and energy flow.

To understand ecological systems, it's important to study the following key concepts:

Food Chains and Food Webs: Learn about the transfer of energy and nutrients through different trophic levels in an ecosystem.
Biogeochemical Cycles: Understand the cycling of elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and water through the biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems.
Ecological Succession: Explore how ecosystems change over time due to disturbances and the gradual replacement of species.
Biodiversity: Examine the variety of species within an ecosystem and its importance for ecological stability.
Human Impact: Consider the ways in which human activities can disrupt ecological systems and the importance of conservation and sustainable practices.