Functions of an ecosystem

Published on 28 Oct 2025

Energy Flow: The flow of energy from one trophic level to another trophic level is known as energy flow and it is unidirectional.
Nutrient Cycling: Also known as Biogeochemical cycles, it describes the movement of chemical elements through different media, such as the atmosphere, soil, rocks, and water bodies. They can be divided into two:

Gaseous cycles: They take place in the atmosphere or oceans through evaporation. They include the carbon cycle, oxygen cycle, nitrogen cycle, and water cycle.
Sedimentary cycles: It takes place in the earth’s crust. These cycles include chemical components such as iron, phosphorus, sulfur etc.

Homeostasis or feedback control mechanism: It is the ability of an organism to maintain a stable internal environment by regulating pH, temperature etc. regardless of external challenges. Regulate, Conform, Migrate, and Suspend are the methods that help in attaining stable equilibrium.
Ecological succession or ecosystem development: Ecological succession is the process by which communities of plants and animals carry out gradual and predictable changes in their structure and composition over time.