Components Of An Ecosystem

An ecosystem consists of a community of living organisms and their interaction with the other organisms and the environment. In an ecosystem all the living organisms are constantly interacting with each other and the non-living components (water, soil, air) of the environment. In an ecosystem, all the organisms either directly or indirectly depends on one another. This dependance keeps the ecological balance of the environment.

COMPONENTS OF ECOSYSTEM:

An ecosystem had two basic components:

• Abiotic components

• Biotic components

The relationship between biotic components and abiotic components odd the ecosystem is termed as halocoenosis.

ABIOTIC COMPONENTS:

These include non living or physio- chemical factors like soil, air, water and the

Terrestrial ecosystems

AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS:

Ecosystems which are generally found in the aquatic (water) environments are called aquatic ecosystems. It includes both aquatic living (flora and fauna) and aquatic non living aspects. This ecosystem is divided into two categories:

a) Marine Ecosystem:

Marine ecosystems are the major ecosystems on the Earth. It covers almost 70% of the Earth’s surface and 96% of the Earth’s water. Large amount of minerals and salts are dissolved in marine water. Marine ecosystem consist of organisms like sharks, coral reefs, algae

Reptiles, amphibians and 40% of the total fish species of the world are found in fresh water ecosystem.

TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS:

Terrestrial ecosystems can be found anywhere around the world. These are classified into:

a) Forest Ecosystems:

A forest ecosystem is a community of organisms that lives within a forest. In this ecosystem, plants and animals are widely distributed in a small area, many animals and other creatures are found in large numbers in a small area. It is not about the forest only but the animals living in the forest. Example birds in the nest.

b) Desert Ecosystem:

Desert ecosystem can be found in those regions where annual rainfall is less. Such regions occupy 17% of the total land on Earth. Due to high temperature, scarcity of water and intense sunlight, flora and fauna of such regions are less and poorly developed.

ENERGY AND MATTER IN ECOSYSTEM:

Ecologist are often interested in tracing the movement of energy and matter through ecosystems. In an ecosystem, both energy and matter are conserved, neither created nor destroyed instead take different routes.

Matter is recycled i.e. same atoms are used over and over again. Energy usually enters an ecosystem as light and leaves as