Question

Describe the components of an ecosystem.

Answer 1

Structure of Ecosystem: (Components of an Ecosystem)

            The ecosystem comprises two major components

I. Abiotic component and

II. Biotic component

I. A biotic component: All non-living factors of ecosystem is called abiotic component, which includes

1. Organic substances: These are proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids etc present either in the biomass or in the environment.
2. Inorganic substances: These include elements like C, H, O, N, P, Mg, Fe, Cd, Cu, Na, H₂O, CO₂ etc. They are present either in free state or in the form of compounds dissolved in water and present in the soil.
3. Climatic Regime: It comprises of physical factors such as light, temperature, atmospheric pressure etc.

II.  Biotic Components: All living organisms constitute of biotic components.

They are

1. Producers: These are autotrophic green plants and some photosynthetic bacteria. The producers fix radiant energy of the sun light and with the help of minerals derived from the water and mud, they manufacture complex organic substances. Only green plants are capable of trapping the solar energy which is the ultimate source of energy for all the organisms of an ecosystem. Only producer are capable of absorbing the essential elements from the soil and making them available to animals for their growth and development.
2. Consumers: (Macro consumers) These are heterotrophic organisms. All the animals which directly or indirectly depend upon plants for their food are called consumers.

Consumers are of three types

a. Primary Consumers: These are Herbivorous animals. They feed on green plants. Ex: Deer, Sheep, Goat, Horse, Rabbit, cattle, insects etc.

b. Secondary Consumers: These are Carnivorous animals. They feed on Primary consumers. Ex: Wolves, Dogs, Cats, frog, fox etc.

c. Tertiary Consumers: They feed on both Primary and Secondary consumers. Ex: Lion, Vultures, Eagle, Hawks etc.

3. Decomposers: (Micro consumers or reducers)Micro organisms such as bacteria, and fungi, secrete enzymes to decompose the dead bodies of plants and animals (producers and consumers), into smaller bits or molecules. They bring about the degradation of the complex compounds of dead protoplasm into simpler a biotic compounds. Decomposers use some of the products for their maintenance and release the rest to the environment. Some bacteria and fungi bring about the transformation of decomposed products into basic biotic substances (ex: C, O, H, N, P, Fe, Na, etc.)