Final answer:
Ecological systems are governed by physical and biological principles that dictate energy flow, nutrient cycles, and species interactions in an ecosystem. The study of ecosystems includes models and concepts such as ecological pyramids and biogeochemical cycles to understand these interactions and their impacts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ecological systems are influenced by general physical and biological principles that govern the way energy flows and how organisms interact within their environments. Aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, for example, operate under these principles, where temperature, latitude, altitude, and rainfall shape their biological characteristics. The study of ecosystem energy flow can utilize ecological pyramids to illustrate how energy is transferred through various trophic levels, typically with energy being lost at each step. Biological principles such as biogeochemical cycles are essential in understanding how mineral nutrients, like carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, circulate within ecosystems and how human activities impact these cycles.
The interactions within an ecosystem include both its biotic community and abiotic environmental factors. Niche and habitat are key concepts that describe the role a species plays within its ecosystem and the natural environment it occupies. Concepts like the competitive exclusion principle highlight how species interact and compete for resources within these systems. Overall, ecosystems and the life-forms within them abide by the laws of physics such as conservation of energy and matter, playing a critical role in maintaining the structure and dynamics of biological systems.