Category 2 · Environment & Ecology
Ecosystem Structure and Function
8 micro topics in Environment & Ecology for UPSC Prelims, in book order: Definition, Functions and Properties of an Ecosystem; Structure/Components of an Ecosystem: Abiotic and Biotic Components; and 6 more.
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2.1
Definition, Functions and Properties of an Ecosystem
An ecosystem is a functional unit of nature in which living organisms interact with one another and with the non-living physical environment, connected by a flow of energy and a cycling of nutrients. The term was…
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2.2
Structure/Components of an Ecosystem: Abiotic and Biotic Components
An ecosystem has two kinds of components. The abiotic components are the non-living physical and chemical factors: solar radiation, temperature, water, air, soil, minerals, nutrients, pH and topography. They include inorganic substances such as carbon dioxide…
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2.3
Flow of Energy in an Ecosystem
Energy flow in an ecosystem is the one-way transfer of energy from the Sun through producers, consumers and decomposers, with energy lost as heat at each step. The Sun is the ultimate source. Plants capture only…
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2.4
Trophic Levels, Food Chain and Its Types and Significance
A trophic level is the position of an organism in a food chain, defined by the number of energy transfers from the original source, the producers. Producers form the first trophic level, herbivores or primary consumers…
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2.5
Food Web and Models for Energy Flow
A food web is a network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem. In nature an organism rarely eats only one kind of food or is eaten by only one predator, so chains cross-link into a…
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2.6
Ecological Productivity and Ecological Pyramid
Ecological productivity is the rate at which organic matter is produced in an ecosystem. Primary productivity is the rate of production by producers: gross primary productivity, GPP, is the total rate of photosynthesis, and net primary…
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2.7
Biomagnification
Biomagnification, also called bioamplification, is the increase in the concentration of a persistent toxic substance in the tissues of organisms at successively higher trophic levels of a food chain. It happens when a substance such as…
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2.8
Biological Control
Biological control is the use of living organisms, such as predators, parasitoids, pathogens and competitors, to suppress populations of pests, weeds or disease vectors, instead of or along with chemical pesticides. It is a main part…
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Frequently asked questions
Which topics are in Ecosystem Structure and Function?
Ecosystem Structure and Function has 8 micro topics in Environment & Ecology: Definition, Functions and Properties of an Ecosystem; Structure/Components of an Ecosystem: Abiotic and Biotic Components; Flow of Energy in an Ecosystem; Trophic Levels, Food Chain and Its Types and Significance; Food Web and Models for Energy Flow; Ecological Productivity and Ecological Pyramid; Biomagnification; Biological Control.
Is Ecosystem Structure and Function important for UPSC Prelims?
Ecosystem Structure and Function is a part of the UPSC Prelims Environment & Ecology syllabus map on MaargX UPSC. Each of its 8 published topics has key terms, a Mains angle and practice questions.