Question

Describe the components of an ecosystem.

Answer 1

The region of the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere in which living beings live is called the biosphere. The study of the mutual relationships of biotic and abiotic components found in the biosphere is called an ecosystem. The word ecosystem was first used by Tansley (1935). If biotic, abiotic parts and geological, chemical and physical characteristics are included in the biosphere, it becomes an ecosystem.

An ecosystem is a natural system with a limited and definite physical environment in which the mutual economic relationship between the structure and functions of biotic and abiotic parts remains in balance. In this system, the flow of matter and energy takes place through well-planned routes.

Components of the ecosystem

There are mainly two components of the ecosystem - biotic and abiotic components.

• Biotic components – There are three types of biotic components in an ecosystem – autotrophic, heterotrophic and decomposers.

1. Autotrophic component – Green plants are the autotrophic components of the ecosystem. They synthesize organic food materials through photosynthesis from CO₂ and water in the presence of solar energy and chlorophyll. Green plants are also called producers. The food material stored in green plants is food for other organisms.
   
2. Heterotrophic components – These cannot make their food; they depend directly or indirectly on plants for food. These are called consumers. There are three types of consumers –
   1. Primary-level consumers or Herbivores – These consumers get their food directly from the producers (green plants). They are called herbivores. Examples include cow, goat, buffalo, rat, deer, and rabbit.
   2. Secondary-level consumers or Carnivores – Secondary-level consumers eat herbivores animals for food, called carnivores like- frogs, snakes, etc.
   3. Tertiary-level consumers – Tertiary level consumers get food from secondary level consumers like- lion, cheetah, eagle etc. Some animals are omnivores, they can get food from plants or animals like- dog, cat, human being etc.
3. Decomposers – These organisms break down organic substances into their components. They mainly decompose the dead bodies of producers and consumers. They are also called saprophytes. Generally, these are bacteria and fungi. As a result, the cycling of minerals continues in nature. Producers, consumers and decomposers together form biomass. 

• Abiotic components – The abiotic components of any ecosystem can be divided into three parts –
  1. Climatic factors – water, heat, light, etc.
  2. Inorganic substances – C, O, N, CO₂ etc. These enter the biological world through various cycles.
  3. Organic substances – proteins, carbohydrates, fats etc. These decompose and turn into simpler components again.
     From a functional point of view, inorganic components are divided into two parts -
     
     1. Materials – Soil, atmospheric substances such as air, gas, water, CO₂, O₂, N₂, salts such as Ca, S, P, organic acids etc.
     2. Energy – Various types of energy, such as solar energy, thermal energy, kinetic energy, chemical energy, etc.