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Syllabus

Understanding Ecosystems and Ecological Relationships — Syllabus

ICSE · Class 11 · Environmental Science

What Understanding Ecosystems and Ecological Relationships covers in ICSE Class 11 Environmental Science: 4 topics, for the 2026-27 session.

65 questions49 flashcards2 formulas & key relations5 concepts

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4 Topics · ICSE Class 11 Environmental Science · 2026-27

Topics in Understanding Ecosystems and Ecological Relationships

1

1. Ecology, Ecosystem, and Components of an Ecosystem

  • Ecology is the branch of biology that deals with the study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment.
  • An ecosystem is a functional and self-sustaining unit of nature in which living organisms interact with the non-living components of the environment.
  • An ecosystem can be natural or artificial.
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2. Trophic Levels, Food Chains, and Food Webs

  • Trophic relationships describe feeding connections in an ecosystem.
  • Each step in the transfer of food and energy is called a trophic level.
  • Producers form the first trophic level.
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3. Examples of Food Chains and Energy Flow

  • Grassland ecosystem: Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake → Hawk.
  • Pond ecosystem: Phytoplankton → Zooplankton → Small fish → Large fish → Kingfisher.
  • Detritus food chain: Dead leaves → Earthworm → Frog → Snake → Eagle.
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4. 10% Law of Lindeman and Ecological Pyramids

  • The 10% Law of Lindeman is a principle that describes the inefficiency of energy transfer in ecosystems.
  • Only about 10% of the energy at one trophic level is passed on to the next trophic level.
  • About 90% of energy is lost at each trophic level due to metabolic processes, respiration, movement, heat loss, and excretion.

Key Concepts

Central concept: Ecosystems as interacting systems of living and non-living components with energy flow, nutrient cycling, and ecological relationships

EcologyEcosystemBiotic componentsAbiotic componentsTrophic relationshipsFood chainFood webBioaccumulation

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in Understanding Ecosystems and Ecological Relationships for ICSE Class 11 Environmental Science?
Key topics in Understanding Ecosystems and Ecological Relationships include Ecology, Ecosystem, and Components of an Ecosystem, Trophic Levels, Food Chains, and Food Webs, Examples of Food Chains and Energy Flow, 10% Law of Lindeman and Ecological Pyramids. Study these first, then practise questions on each for Class 11 exams.
How should I revise Understanding Ecosystems and Ecological Relationships for Class 11 exams?
Learn the core ideas first, then work through the 65 practice questions on Understanding Ecosystems and Ecological Relationships. Revise definitions regularly and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.

Sources & Official References

Content is aligned to the official syllabus. Refer to the board website for the latest curriculum.

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