Question

Define ecosystem. Explain its biotic and abiotic components taking suitable examples.

Answer 1

Ecosystem:

1. The term ecosystem was first used by A.G. Tansley, an English botanist in 1935.
2. An ecosystem is a self-sustaining system composed of both living and non-living organisms who interact with each other and the environment.
3. An ecosystem is the structural and functional unit of the ecosystem.
4. An ecosystem is divided into two broad categories- Terrestrial, which is the land-based ecosystem, and Aquatic, which is the water-based ecosystem.
5. Based on their component an ecosystem is divided into two groups- Biotic and Abiotic Component.

Biotic components:

1. The term biotic is composed of two words- “bio” meaning Life and “ic” meaning Like.
2. Biotic components are composed of the living or the life-like components of the ecosystem.
3. They exist in the biosphere.
4. Based on their nutrition they are classified into groups-

1. Producers- Those who produce their own food and are independent of their food sources are known as Producers. Green plants are called producers as they prepare their own food through the process of photosynthesis. They are also known as autotrophs. Example- Algae.
2. Consumers- Those who are dependent on the producers for their food sources are called consumers. Herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores fall under the category of consumers. They are called heterotrophs. Example- humans.
3. Decomposers- They feed on the dead decaying matter and help in the recycling of the nitrogen and carbon dioxide so that they could be again used up by the producers for their food. They are known as saprophytes. Example- Bacteria.

Abiotic components:

1. Abiotic components include the chemical and physical components of the ecosystem,i.e, the non-living components of the ecosystem.
2. They exist in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere.
3. They assist the biotic components in their processes.
4. Examples- Sunlight, rain, water, soil, and minerals.