UPSC Prelims 2015
Environment & Ecology
Which one of the following is the best description of the term “ecosystem”?
Explanation
An ecosystem encompasses both living organisms (biotic factors) like plants and animals, and non-living components (abiotic factors) like sunlight, water, and rocks. It highlights the interconnectedness between these elements. Living organisms depend on the environment for survival, while the environment is shaped by the activities of these organisms. Thus ecosystem is a community of organisms together with the environment in which they live.