Ecosystems and Their Components

Ecosystem

• An ecosystem is a community of plants, animals, microorganisms interacting with each other and the non-living environment.
• Ecosystems have two main components: biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living).

Structure of Ecosystems

• Biotic Components: The living members (organisms) in an ecosystem. Examples include plants, animals, and microorganisms.
• Abiotic Components: The non-living parts of an ecosystem. Examples include climate, soil, water, air, and energy.

Classification of Biotic Components

• Biotic components are grouped based on how they obtain food:
  • Producers (Autotrophs): Organisms that make their own food, typically through photosynthesis. Example: plants.
  • Consumers (Heterotrophs): Organisms that cannot make their own food and consume other organisms.
  • Decomposers (saprotrophs): Organisms that break down dead organisms and waste products. Example: microorganisms.

Producers (Autotrophs)

• Producers synthesize their food through photosynthesis.
• All green plants are producers.
• Photosynthesis uses chlorophyll, a green pigment in leaves, to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) into carbohydrates (sugars) in the presence of sunlight. This process is represented by the formula: 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2.

Consumers (Heterotrophs)

• Consumers depend on other organisms for food.
• Primary Consumers (Herbivores): Consumers that eat only plants. Examples include insects, rats, goats, deer, and cows.
• Secondary Consumers (Primary Carnivores): Consumers that eat primary consumers. Examples include frogs, cats, snakes, and small birds.
• Tertiary Consumers (Secondary Carnivores): Consumers that feed on secondary consumers. Examples include hawks, eagles, tigers, and lions.
• Omnivores: Organisms that consume both plants and animals. Examples include humans, rats, and some birds.
• Detritivores: Organisms that feed on dead organisms, wastes, and partially decomposed matter. Example: termites, earthworms, and ants.

Decomposers

• Decomposers break down the dead bodies of producers and consumers into simpler compounds.
• During decomposition, inorganic nutrients are released.
• These released inorganic nutrients are used by producers for the synthesis of their food.

Abiotic Components (Non-living)

• Abiotic components include physical and chemical components of an ecosystem
• Physical Components: These relate to the energy, climate, and living space that the biological community needs. Examples include air, water, soil, and sunlight.
• Chemical Components: These are the source of essential nutrients, including organic nutrients (protein, lipids, carbohydrates) and inorganic nutrients (all micro- and macro-elements like Al, Co, Zn, Cu, C, H, O, P, N).