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Ecosystem
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Faheem Malik
muhammad.faheem@uog.edu.pk
Department of Environmental Sciences
University of Gujrat
Gujrat, Pakistan

Ecosystem History
Ensley in 1935 used the term 'Ecosystem‘
Where!
eco means the environment and
system implies an interacting complex

Definitions of Ecosystem
In Biology;
An environmental system that
consists of a community of
organisms that have an
interaction with abiotic
components.

In Physics;
An environmental system, where
solar energy, water, nutrients
and atmospheric gases enter in it
while heat, carbon dioxide,
oxygen, other gases and living
materials are carried away from
the system.

In Ecology;
Ecosystem is a basic fundamental
unit of ecology in which living and
non-living components interact
and influence each other OR
dependant on one another.

Components of Ecosystem
Biotic;
 Plants
(Producers / autotrophs)
 Animals
(Consumers / heterotrophs;
vertebrate, invertebrate;
predator, unicellular /
decomposers / pathogens /
parasites / parasitoids)

Components of Ecosystem
Abiotic;
Light
Temperature
Humidity
Wind
Soil
Water
Gases

Interaction between biotic and
abiotic components of
Ecosystem
 soil, in which their roots grow and
absorb water and nutrients
 water, which is absorbed by roots
 carbon dioxide, absorbed from
atmosphere or water
 sunlight, without which
photosynthesis cannot occur
 inorganic salts and minerals which
are necessary and useful nutrients

Kinds of Ecosystems
Ecosystems may be classified into
two broad categories;
 Artificial Ecosystems
 Natural Ecosystems

Artificial Ecosystem
Maintained artificially by
man
e.g. An agricultural farm, a
garden, an orchard, a fish
farm, an aquarium, a dam, a
space station, pots of
houseplants

Artificial Ecosystem
 In these ecosystems, man
manipulation occurs that
disturbs natural balance
(e.g. addition of fertilizers
to increase yield; use of
insecticides to control pests
and disease; proper irrigation
and manuring in case of a

Natural Ecosystem
 Operate themselves under
natural conditions without
any major interference by
man
 The largest possible
ecosystem, composed of all
living organisms on or about

Sun
Producers
Consumers
Decomposers
Aquatic
Terrestrial
Natural Artificial
Grass
Forest
Dessert
Biosphere Ecosystem
(The Largest)
Atmospheric Gases (10 – 14 km)
Lithosphere (1.5 km)
Hydrosphere (11 km ocean)
Tundra
Fresh water Marine
Estuarine

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