Question

Explain the structure and functioning of an ecosystem.

Answer 1

Structure of an Ecosystem:

1. Living organisms need different types of abiotic factors and they have different capacities to adapt with those abiotic factors.
2. Each and every abiotic factor (air, water, soil, sunlight, temperature, humidity) affects the biotic factors in the ecosystem. The abiotic factors in an ecosystem decide which biotic factors will survive in it and what will be their number.
3. The proportion of abiotic factors in an ecosystem is always changing as biotic factors use or excrete abiotic factors. Every biotic factor affects abiotic factors as well as other biotic factors around it.

Functioning of an ecosystem are:

1. Biotic components are the living things that have a direct or indirect influence on other organisms in an environment. For example, plants, animals, and microorganisms and their waste materials.
2. Abiotic components of an ecosystem include all chemical and physical elements i.e. non-living components. Abiotic components can vary from region to region, from one ecosystem to another.
3. Habitat - The natural home or the environment of an animal, plant, or any other organism is called habitat.