Ecosystem

An ecosystem is a community of living and nonliving things that work together in a particular area. It includes all the plants, animals, and microorganisms, as well as the air, water, and soil around them. Every part of an ecosystem has a role to play, and changes in one part can affect the whole system.

The living parts of an ecosystem are called biotic factors. These include plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria. The nonliving parts, known as abiotic factors, include sunlight, temperature, water, air, and minerals in the soil. Both biotic and abiotic parts interact and depend on each other to keep the system balanced.

Within an ecosystem, living things form a network of relationships. Plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to make food through photosynthesis. Animals eat plants or other animals for energy. Decomposers such as fungi and bacteria break down dead organisms and return nutrients to the soil. This flow of energy and materials is called a food chain or food web.

Ecosystems can be found everywhere on earth. A pond, a forest, a coral reef, and even a city park can each be an ecosystem. Some are small and simple, while others, like rainforests and oceans, are very large and complex. All ecosystems are part of the Earth’s larger system known as the biosphere, which includes all life on the planet.

Ecosystems can change naturally or because of human activity. Natural events such as floods, fires, or storms can shape an ecosystem over time. Human actions like cutting down trees, building cities, or pollution can also affect the balance. Scientists study how ecosystems work and how they recover from changes.

By observing ecosystems, people can learn how living and nonliving things depend on each other. Understanding these connections helps explain how life continues and adapts in different parts of the world.