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Various functions of a lake ecosystem:

Productivity: Autotrophs such as floating plants, phytoplanktons convert inorganic substances into organic material with the help of solar energy.

Energy flow: Energy always flows from producers to top consumers therefore, energy flow is unidirectional. Some of the energy is lost as heat to the environment during energy transfer.

Decomposition: Dead and decaying organic matter is decomposed by bacteria, fungi and flagellates through these process fragmentation, leaching, catabolism, humification, and

Nutrient cycling: Nutrients released during decomposition released back to be re-used by the autotrophs.

Food chain in aquatic ecosystem. Example a lake: