Which one of the following is the best description of the term ‘ecosystem’?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2015 Prelims]
(a) A community of organisms interacting with one another
(b) That part of the Earth which is inhabited by living organisms
(c) A community of organisms together with the environment in which they live
(d) The flora and fauna of a geographical area
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
- An ecosystem refers to the interplay between the biotic (living) and abiotic (nonliving) factors in a particular environment.
- Examples of different types of ecosystems include those found on land, such as forests, grasslands, deserts, and tundras, as well as those in water, such as freshwater and marine ecosystems.
