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The components of the ecosystem is categorised into abiotic of non-living and biotic of living components. Both the components of ecosystem and Environment are same.
- Abiotic Components
the inorganic and non-living parts of the world. consists of Soil, water, air, and Light energy etc. involves a ,large number of chemicals like Oxygen, nitrogen-, etc. and physical processes including Volcanoes-2/”>Volcanoes, Earthquakes, floods, forest fires, climates, and weather conditions.
Abiotic factors are the most important determinants of where and how well an organism exists in its environment. Although these factors interact with each other, one single factor can-limit the range of an organism.
- a) Energy
Energy from the sun is essential for maintenance of life. Energy determines the distribution of organisms in the environment.
- b) Rainfall
- c) Temperature :-Temperature is a critical factor of the environment which greatly influences survival of organisms. Organisms can tolerate only a certain range of temperature and humidity.
- d) Atmosphere :It is made up of 21% oxygen, 78% nitrogen , 0.038% carbon dioxide and other inert gases (0.93% Argon, Neon etc).
- e) Substratum :Land is covered by soil and a wide variety of microbes, protozoa, Fungi and small animals (invertebrates) thrive in it
- f) Materials:
(i) Organic compound
Such as proteins, Carbohydrates, lipids, humic substances are formed from inorganic compound on decomposition.
(ii) Inorganic compound
Such as carbon, carbon dioxide, water, sulphur, nitrates, phosphates, and ions of various metals are essential for organisms to survive.
- g) Latitude and altitude
Latitude has a strong influence on an area’s temperature, resulting in change of climates such as polar, tropical, and temperate. These climates determine different natural biomes. From sea level to highest peaks, wild life is influenced by altitude. As the altitude increases, the air becomes colder and drier, affecting wild life accordingly.( wild life decrease as altitude increase)
- Biotic Components :Biotic components include living organisms comprising Plants, animals and microbes and are classified according to their functional attributes into producers and consumers.
Primary producers – Autotrophs (self-nourishing) Primary producers are basically green plants (and certain bacteria and algae). They synthesise carbohydrate from simple inorganic raw materials like carbon dioxide and water in the presence of sunlight by the process of Photosynthesis for themselves, and supply indirectly to other non- producers.
In terrestrial ecosystem, producers are basically herbaceous and woody plants, while in AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM producers are various species of microscopic algae.
- b) Consumers — Heterotrophs or phagotrophs (other nourishing)
Consumers are incapable of producing their own food (photosynthesis).
They depend on organic food derived from plants, animals or both.
Consumers can be divided into two broad groups
(i) Macro consumers- They feed on plants or animals or both and are categorised on the basis of their food sources.
Herbivores are primary consumers which feed mainly on plants e.g. cow, rabbit.
Secondary consumers feed on primary consumers e.g. wolves.
Carnivores which feed on secondary consumers are called tertiary consumers e.g. lions which can eat wolves.
Omnivores are organisms which consume both plants and animals e.g. man.
(ii) Micro consumers – Saprotrophs (decomposers or osmotrophs)
They are bacteria and fungi which obtain energy and nutrients by decomposing dead organic substances (detritus) of plant and animal origin.
The products of decomposition such as inorganic nutrients which are released in the ecosystem are reused by producers and thus recycled.
Earthworm and certain soil organisms (such as nematodes, and arthropods) are detritus feeders and help in the decomposition of organic matter and are called detrivores.,
An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with the physical environment. The physical environment includes the non-living Elements of the ecosystem, such as air, water, soil, and sunlight. The living organisms in an ecosystem are called biotic factors, while the non-living factors are called abiotic factors.
Biotic factors include plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria. These organisms interact with each other in a variety of ways, such as by competing for food, shelter, and mates. They also interact with the abiotic environment, such as by absorbing nutrients from the soil or by using sunlight for photosynthesis.
Abiotic factors include temperature, light, water, soil, and air. These factors can affect the Growth and survival of the organisms in an ecosystem. For example, plants need sunlight to photosynthesize, so they will not be able to grow in a dark environment. Animals need water to drink, so they will not be able to survive in a dry environment.
Producers are organisms that can make their own food. Plants are the main producers in most Ecosystems. They use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose, a type of sugar. This process is called photosynthesis.
Consumers are organisms that cannot make their own food. They must eat other organisms to survive. Consumers can be divided into herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores. Herbivores eat plants. Carnivores eat animals. Omnivores eat both plants and animals.
Decomposers are organisms that break down dead organisms and wastes. This process is called decomposition. Decomposers help to recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem.
A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass. The first organism in a food chain is a producer. The next organisms in the chain are consumers. The final organisms in the chain are decomposers.
A food web is a Network of food chains. Food webs show the many different ways that energy and nutrients flow through an ecosystem.
Energy flow is the movement of energy through an ecosystem. Energy enters an ecosystem through photosynthesis. Plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose, a type of sugar. This process releases oxygen into the atmosphere. Animals eat plants or other animals to obtain energy. The energy then flows through the food chain as the animals are eaten by other animals.
Nutrient cycling is the movement of nutrients through an ecosystem. Nutrients are essential for the growth and survival of organisms. They are recycled through the ecosystem by the process of decomposition. Decomposers break down dead organisms and wastes, releasing nutrients back into the soil. These nutrients can then be absorbed by plants.
Ecosystem Services are the benefits that humans and other organisms obtain from ecosystems. Ecosystem services include things like clean air, water, and food. They also include things like flood control, pollination, and Climate regulation.