Page 1 - 2.Lesson notes-Ecosystem and its components

SAI International School
Subject-Biology, Class- X
Chapter- Our Environment
Subtopic- Ecosystem and its Components
Module-30
Lesson Notes

All living and non-living things that surround an organism or a group of organisms are called
environment.

ECOSYSTEM – its components : All the interacting organisms in an area together with the non-
living constituents of the environment form an ecosystem. It is a structural and functional unit of
biosphere.

A) Natural Ecosystem

They are ecosystems which develop in nature without human support. They are of two
types –

(i) Terrestrial – they occur over land. They are of three major types – desert, grassland
and forest.
(ii) Aquatic – they are found in water bodies, e.g., rivers, ponds, lakes, marines and
estuaries.

B) Artificial Ecosystem

These are the ecosystems which are created and maintained by human beings. E.g.,
garden and aquarium.

An aquarium contains the living or biotic components like fishes and aquatic plants, and
abiotic components like oxygen (through aerator), optimum temperature and food.

Why do aquarium need to be cleaned?

In the aquarium, the un-eaten food, as well as, the waste generated by the fishes, mixe with
the water and is left untreated due to lack of decomposers. The waste materials, thus,
accumulate in the water making it toxic. Hence, an aquarium has to be cleaned after regular
intervals.