Question

Describe the various components of a pond ecosystem.

Answer 1

• Pond is a freshwater ecosystem in which, like other ecosystems, there are two main components:

(A) Abiotic components:

• Abiotic components of pond consists of water, dissolved minerals, oxygen, carbon dioxide, light, dissolved oxygen.
• These abiotic components are the properties of the environment (pond, in this case).

(B) Biotic components: It includes the following:

(i) Producers:

• The main producers in the pond or lake ecosystem are algae, phytoplanktons, and other aquatic plants, etc.

(ii) Consumers:

• In a pond ecosystem, the primary consumers are minute floating animals called zooplanktons; tadpole larvae of frogs, water fleas, larvae of insects, which consume green plants and algae as their food.
• In the pond, besides the secondary consumers, there are consumers of the highest order, such as big fishes, water-birds, turtles, etc.

(iii) Decomposers:

• When aquatic plants and animals die, a large number of bacteria and fungi attack their dead bodies and convert the complex organic substances into simpler inorganic compounds and elements.
• These micro-organisms are called decomposers.