Science — CBSE Class 10 board question

Human-made ecosystems are artificial ecosystems created and maintained by humans. Examples: garden, crop-field, aquarium.

Can it become self-sustaining? Yes. An aquarium, for instance, can become self-sustaining if aquatic plants (producers), animals (consumers), and microorganisms (decomposers) are added together. The plants produce food and oxygen through photosynthesis, animals consume them, and decomposers break down dead matter into simple substances reused by plants — making the system self-sustaining without external inputs.

Source: Chapter 13, Section 13.1 (Activity 13.1)

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• 1 mark: Definition of human-made ecosystem + example.
• 1 mark: Yes, it can become self-sustaining.
• 1 mark: Reason — presence of all three components (producers, consumers, decomposers) creates a balanced, self-sufficient cycle.

Examiners expect you to name the aquarium as the example (directly from Activity 13.1) and explain the role of all three biotic components in making it self-sustaining. Avoid vague answers — mention photosynthesis, food production, and decomposition explicitly.