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ECOLOGY AND ECOSYSTEM (Definition, Type, Components and Function) ECOLOGY The term ecology was coined by Earnst Haeckel (1869). The study of ecosystem is defined as Ecology. Therefore ecology deals with the study of organisms in their natural home interacting with their surrounding. ECOSYSTEM The term ecosystem was coined by a British ecologist A. G. Tansley (1935). Ecosystems is a self regulating, self sustaining and functional unit of nature where living organisms (biotic component) interacting with each other and with their non living environment (abiotic factor) exchanging energy and matter. Types of Ecosystem- According to environment- 1. Terrestrial Ecosystem -   A terrestrial ecosystem is an ecosystem found only on landforms. Six primary terrestrial ecosystems are tundra, taiga, temperate deciduous forest, tropical rain forest, grassland and desert. 2. Aquati...

ECOLOGICAL PYRAMID Ø   The use of Ecological Pyramid was first described by Charles Elton in 1927 . Ø     Ecological Pyramids are graphical representation of the number of individual present or amount of biomass synthesized or amount of energy stored at successive trophic levels in an ecosystem. Ø   Ecological Pyramids are starting with producers at the base and successive trophic levels forming the apex are known as an Ecological pyramid. Types of  Ecological Pyramids- Pyramid of numbers- Ø   Graphical representation of numerical strength of various populations in different trophic levels per unit area of an ecosystem. Ø   Usually upright. Ø   Inverted and spindle shaped only in some parasitic food chain and tree ecosystem. 2.  Pyramid of Biomass- Ø   Biomass is the total weight of living matter per unit area. Ø   In terrestrial ecosystem, Biomass decreases from the produce...