🌱 Environment & EcologyUPSC 2015Sustainable Development

Which one of the following is the best description of the term ‘ecosystem’?

aA community of organisms interacting with one another
bThat part of the Earth which is inhabited by living organisms
cA community of organisms together with the environment in which they live
dThe flora and fauna of a geographical area
✓ Correct answer: c) A community of organisms together with the environment in which they live
ExplanationAn ecosystem can be defined as a functional unit of nature, where living organisms (producers, consumers, and de- composers) interact among themselves and also with the sur- rounding physical environment.Ecosystems can be of any size and usually encompasses a diverse range of species.E.g. Aquatic Ecosystem.In the ecosystem, biotic and abiotic components are linked together through nutrient cycles and energy flows.Ev- erything that lives in an ecosystem is dependent on the other species and elements that are also part of that ecological com- munity.A damaged or extinct component of an ecosystem has an effect on the entire system.11

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