Ecosystem Components: An ecosystem has two components –
- Biotic Components
- Abiotic Components
1) Biotic Components: Living things are defined in biotic components. Biological components such as microorganisms, trees, plants, animals and humans. Biological components are classified on the basis of energy, need and source. This is the classification
1) Producer
2) Consumer
3) Decomposer
1) Producer: Producers are those who produce their own food and energy with the help of the sun. Trees and plants come in the category of the producer. Plants generate their energy and food through photosynthesis in the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll. All other organisms are dependent on plants for their needs.
2) Consumer: Consumers are those who depend on producers for their needs. All animals and human beings are in the category of consumers. There are three sub categories in this category too –
- Non-vegetarian
- Vegetarian
- Omnivorous
Non-Vegetarian: Non-Vegetarian animals are also called Carnivorous. Carnivorous animals make other animals their food. Carnivorous animals are lions, tigers, dogs, etc.
Vegetarian: Vegetarian animals are also called herbivorous. Herbivorous animals get their food only from plants. Deer, goats, zebras, etc. are the examples of the herbivores.
Omnivorous: Omnivorous animals get their food from both plants and animals. The Humans, bears, crows are referred to as the omnivores.
3) Decomposer: Decomposer organisms are those that eat decaying organic matter and convert this material into nitrogen and carbon dioxide. Decomposer’s example is fungi and bacteria. They are also called saprophytes. They play an important role in recycling of the nutrients.
2) Abiotic Components: Abiotic components are also called ecological factors. Abiotic factors are generally physical and chemical effects that affect biological objects. The abiotic factors of each ecosystem are different. For example, in an aquatic ecosystem, water pressure, sun turbidity, water depth, salinity etc. are included. There are 3 sub categories of abiotic components. These are as such-
1) Climate and physical factors
2) Inorganic matter
3) Organic matter
1) Climate and Physical Factors: Under the climate and physical factors, there is water, air, light, temperature etc. Water is very important for any living thing because the amount of water inside it is 70%. Water is one of all the resources found on earth which is available in abundance. There are many processes which cannot be completed without water such as germination of seeds, digestion of food, excretion of waste etc. Water is essential for survival, but each living being needs a different amount of water.
Like water, air is also a very important factor. Wind exerts great influence on biological factors. Wind speed and direction both affect crops and life. In the absence of air, life on earth would be impossible. The Air is a mixture of gases like nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide. Oxygen is used by all living organisms in respiration and it is also used in the combustion process. In the process of combustion and in the process of respiration, we produce carbon dioxide which is used by plants in the process of photosynthesis. The balance between oxygen and carbon dioxide in the environment is maintained through these processes of respiration, combustion and photosynthesis.
The sun is the ultimate and primary source of energy on the Earth. All the living beings get energy from the sun. Plants are the only organisms on earth that take energy from the sun and make their own food. Light affects all living beings in different ways. Some living beings tolerate light and some do not. The creatures that tolerate light are active during the day, they are also called daily animals. Those creatures who do not tolerate light, they remain active during the night, they are also called nocturnal.
2) Inorganic Matter: The inorganic components of an ecosystem are carbon dioxide, water, nitrogen, calcium, phosphate, all of which are involved in matter cycles (biogeochemical cycles).
3) Organic Matter: The organic components of an ecosystem are carbohydrates, lipids proteins, and amino acids, all of which are synthesized by the biota (flora and fauna) of an ecosystem and reached to the ecosystem as their dead remains, wastes etc, the climate, temperature, soil, light etc., are other abiotic components of ecosystem.
Conclusion
Ecosystem is the functional unit of nature consisting of biotic or living components and abiotic or non-living components. Biological components refer to plants and animals while abiotic components refer to soil, water, air, temperature, topographical factors, etc. Biotic factors interact among themselves and with abiotic factors for the proper functioning of the ecosystem. The main functions of ecosystem components are energy flow, nutrient cycling, homeostasis.