Ecosystems: Biotic and Abiotic Components

Definition

• An ecosystem is a community of living and non-living components that interact with each other in a specific environment.
• It consists of biotic factors (living organisms) and abiotic factors (non-living components).

Components of an Ecosystem

• Biotic factors:
  • Producers (plants, algae, phytoplankton): convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis.
  • Consumers (herbivores, carnivores, omnivores): obtain energy by consuming other organisms.
  • Decomposers (bacteria, fungi): break down organic matter into simple nutrients.
• Abiotic factors:
  • Light
  • Temperature
  • Water
  • Soil
  • Air
  • Nutrients

Energy Flow in an Ecosystem

• Energy from sunlight is converted into chemical energy through photosynthesis by producers.
• Energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next through consumption.
• Decomposers release energy back into the environment as nutrients.

Ecosystem Services

• Provisioning services: provide resources such as food, water, and timber.
• Regulating services: regulate climate, air and water quality, and disease outbreaks.
• Cultural services: provide recreational, spiritual, and aesthetic values.
• Supporting services: maintain soil health, pollination, and nutrient cycling.

Ecosystem Types

• Terrestrial ecosystems: forests, grasslands, deserts, tundra.
• Freshwater ecosystems: rivers, lakes, wetlands.
• Marine ecosystems: coral reefs, estuaries, open ocean.
• Arctic/Antarctic ecosystems: tundra, ice sheets.

Ecosystem Interactions

• Symbiotic relationships:
  • Mutualism: both species benefit.
  • Commensalism: one species benefits, the other is not affected.
  • Parasitism: one species benefits, the other is harmed.
• Predator-prey relationships: predators feed on prey, influencing population dynamics.
• Competition: organisms compete for limited resources, leading to adaptations and evolution.

Definition of an Ecosystem

• An ecosystem is a community of living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components interacting in a specific environment.

Components of an Ecosystem

• Biotic factors:
  • Producers (plants, algae, phytoplankton) convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis.
  • Consumers (herbivores, carnivores, omnivores) obtain energy by consuming other organisms.
  • Decomposers (bacteria, fungi) break down organic matter into simple nutrients.
• Abiotic factors:
  • Light
  • Temperature
  • Water
  • Soil
  • Air
  • Nutrients

Energy Flow

• Energy from sunlight is converted into chemical energy through photosynthesis by producers.
• Energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next through consumption.
• Decomposers release energy back into the environment as nutrients.

Ecosystem Services

• Provisioning services: provide resources like food, water, and timber.
• Regulating services: regulate climate, air and water quality, and disease outbreaks.
• Cultural services: provide recreational, spiritual, and aesthetic values.
• Supporting services: maintain soil health, pollination, and nutrient cycling.

Ecosystem Types

• Terrestrial ecosystems: forests, grasslands, deserts, tundra.
• Freshwater ecosystems: rivers, lakes, wetlands.
• Marine ecosystems: coral reefs, estuaries, open ocean.
• Arctic/Antarctic ecosystems: tundra, ice sheets.

Ecosystem Interactions

• Symbiotic relationships:
  • Mutualism: both species benefit.
  • Commensalism: one species benefits, the other is not affected.
  • Parasitism: one species benefits, the other is harmed.
• Predator-prey relationships: predators feed on prey, influencing population dynamics.
• Competition: organisms compete for limited resources, leading to adaptations and evolution.