2. What is an ecosystem?
• An ecosystem refers to all the animals and
plants found in one place, and the way they
all live together.
• Different plants and animals live in
different ecosystems.
• Different ecosystems can be close
together.
• Some animals belong to several ecosystems.
4. Component of Ecosystem
From the trophic standpoint, an Ecosystem has
two component-
1. Autotrophic component
2. Heterotrophic component
Trophic= Nourishment
5. Homes and Habitats
• The place where an animal lives is called
its habitat.
• An animal lives where it can find food,
water, shelter and a mate.
6. Living things
• All living things (organisms) need food
(nourishment) to live.
• Living things in an ecosystem depend
on each other for food.
7. Producers
• Plants are living organisms. They need
nourishment to survive.
• But…
• Plants do not eat other plants or
animals.
• Plants are called producers, because
they make their own food inside
themselves.
10. Role of plants in the ecosystem:
• Water movement and humidity
• Weathering: nutrient mobility
• Food source for animals and microbes
• Shelter
• O2 production
15. a)Animals that eat ONLY PLANTS
are called herbivores (or
primary consumers).
b)Animals that eat OTHER
ANIMALS are called carnivores.
carnivores that
eat herbivores are called
secondary consumers
carnivores that eat other
carnivores are called tertiary
consumers
16. Consumers
• “Consume” means “eat”.
• Animals are consumers because they
“eat” (consume) food provided by plants
or other animals.
18. Predator
• The cat is a predator, because it eats
other animals.
• The bear is a predator, because it eats
other animals.
• People are predators too!
19. Prey
Any animal which is hunted and killed by
another animal for food is prey.
Predator
Prey
20. Principles of Ecological System
(1) Ecological Systems are Hierarchical
Everything in ecological systems is connected in space
and time.
(2) Ecological Systems are Complex
The living and non-living components of ecological
systems are interconnected and interdependent.
(3) Ecological Systems are Dynamic
Ecological systems are always changing. The
organisms, numbers, and relationships change in a
process of succession.
21. Principles of Ecological System
(4) Ecological Systems Perform Critical Life-
Support Functions
Matter cycles through ecological systems. For example, carbon is captured by
growing plants from carbon dioxide in the air through the process of
photosynthesis.
(5) Humans are an Integral Part of Ecological
Systems
Human values and activities influence the structure and functions of ecological
systems.
(6) Ecological System Knowledge is Incomplete
The relationships between living organisms and their environment are part of an
ecological system’s complexity and are not fully understood.
