Lesson Proper for Week 2
Biotic Components
The live component of an ecosystem comprises plants,
animals, and microorganisms (Bacteria and Fungi). They
carry out different functions and Ecologists have carry
traditionally divided organisms 'roles in ecosystems into
three broad categories: producers, consumers, and
decomposers.
Producers are organisms that are able to use sources of
energy to make complex, organic molecules from the
simple inorganic substances in their environment. In
nearly all systems, energy is supplied by the sun, and
organisms such as plants, algae, and tiny aquatic
organisms called phytoplankton use light energy to carry
on photosynthesis. Since producers are the only
organisms in an ecosystem that can trap energy and make
new organic material from inorganic material, all other
organ-isms rely on producers as a source of food, either
directly or indirectly. Consumers are organisms that
require organic matter as a source of food. They consume
organic matter to provide themselves with energy and the
organic molecules necessary to build their own bodies.
Ari important part of their role is the process of respiration
in which they break down organic matter to inorganic
matter. However, consumers can be further subdivided
into categories based on the kinds of things they eat and
the way they obtain food.
Primary consumers, also known as herbivores, are
animals that eat producers (plants or phytoplankton) as a
source of food. Herbivores, such as leaf-eating insects
and seed-eating birds, are usually quite numerous in
ecosystems, where they serve as food for the next
organisms in the chain.
Secondary consumers or carnivores are animals that eat
other animals. Secondary consumers can be further
subdivided into categories based on what kind of prey
they capture and eat. Some carnivores, such as ladybird
beetles, primarily eat herbivores, such as aphids; others,
such as eagles, primarily eat fish that are themselves
carnivores. While these are interesting conceptual
distinctions, most carnivores will eat any animal they can
capture and kill. In addition, many animals, called
omnivores, include both plants and animals in their diet.
Even animals that are considered to be carnivores (foxes,
bears) regularly include large amounts of plant material in
their diets. Conversely, animals often thought of as
herbivores (mice, squirrels, and seed- eating birds)
regularly consume animals as a source of
food. Parasites are also consumers that have a special
way of obtaining their food. Decomposers are organisms
that use nonliving organic matter as a source of energy
and raw materials to build their bodies. Whenever an
organism sheds a part of itself, excretes waste products,
or dies, it provides a source of food for decomposers.
Since decomposers carry on respiration, they are
extremely important in recycling matter by converting
organic matter to inorganic material. Many small animals,
fungi, and bacteria fill this niche.
Keystone Species
Ecosystems typically consist of many different species
interacting with each other and their physical
surroundings. However, some species have more central
roles than others. In recognition of this idea, ecologists
have developed the concept of keystone species
A keystone species is one that has a critical role to play in
the maintenance of specific ecosystems. In prairie
ecosystems, grazing animals are extremely important in
maintaining the mix of species typical of grassland.
Without the many influences of the grazers, the nature of
the prairie changes. The relationship among sea urchins,
sea otters, and kelp forests suggests that sea otters are a
keystone species. Sea otters eat sea urchins, which eat
kelp. A reduction in the number of otters results in an
increase in the number of sea urchins. Increased numbers
of sea urchins lead to heavy grazing of the kelp by sea
urchins. When the amount of kelp severely reduced, fish
and many other animals that Iive within the kelp beds lose
their habitat and biodiversity is significantly reduced.
Abiotic Components
The physical factors of the environment (which are
nonliving) have a major influence on the life of organisms.
The abiotic components are of two types. They are:
Fig 5 - Antobiotic
Soil texture is the different size range of mineral particles
varying from fine clay to coarse gravel. The varying
percentages of each size range produce soils with
different characteristics. Soil organic matter is called
humus that is formed by the decomposition of plant and
animal matter. The rate of decay depends upon the nature
of the material and the climate.  Soil organisms carry out
following three main groups of processes.
Decomposition of organic material: such as plant and
animal parts by bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes and
Earthworms. Bacteria and fungi also breakdown soil
mineral matter generating nutrients.
A limiting factor is anything that constrains a population's
size and slows or stops it from growing. Some examples
of limiting factors are biotic, like food, mates, and
competition with other organisms for resources.
Tolerance ranges for the abiotic environmental conditions.

1. Climatic factors consist of Temperature, rainfall and

snow, wind, light, humidity etc. The climate of an area is
the result of several factors such as latitude, elevation,
nearness to the sea, and monsoon activities and ocean
currents. Temperature influences the rates of biochemical
reactions in plants, with the reaction rates approximately
doubling with every 10°C increase. Plant species require a
range of temperature to survive. Below a minimum
temperature they are inactive, and above a maximum
temperature biochemical reactions stop. Normally in many
plants growth is possible above 6°C. In areas with
extremes of temperature, such as the tundra and tropical
deserts the plants have mechanisms to adapt to such
conditions. Light levels decide the magnitude of An ecological niche is the role and position a species has
photosynthesis reactions. Different plants have their in its environment; how it meets its needs for food and
characteristic light requirements in respect of light shelter, how it survives, and how it reproduces. A species'
intensity, duration and wavelength. Some plants, termed niche includes all of its interactions with the biotic and
heliphytes, require high levels, whereas sciophytes can abiotic factors of its environment.
grow in shady, low light conditions. Water is an essential
factor for biochemical plant processes, including
photosynthesis. Plants growing on lands obtain their
water requirements from the soil through their roots by
the osmosis process. Plants called Hydrophytes grow in
fresh water and they cannot withstand drought.
Xerophytes survive long periods of drought, and
halophytes are able to survive in saline water. Mesophytes
require moderate conditions (neither waterlogged nor
drought) and are found mainly in temperate areas. 2.
Edaphic factors or soil factors are pH, mineral and organic
matter in soil and texture of soil. Soil is the major source
of nutrients and moisture in almost all the land
ecosystems. Soil is formed when a rock weathers .The
rocks brake down into a collection of different inorganic or
mineral particles. The climate influences the type and rate
of the weathering of the rocks as well as the nature of the
vegetation growing on it. Nutrients are recycled in the soil
by the plants and animals in their life cycles of growth,
death and decomposition. Thus, humus material essential
to soil fertility is produced. Soil mineral matter is derived Ecosystem homeostasis is equilibrium, or a balance of the
from the weathering of rock material. These consist of two organisms in an ecosystem. This means the populations
types; stable primary materials like quartz and various of species in the ecosystem are relatively stable. Over
secondary materials like clays and oxides of Al and Fe. time, these populations will change, but in the short term,
they should move up and down in cycles around an 2. Marine Ecosystem
average value.
The freshwater ecosystem is an aquatic ecosystem that
Types of Ecosystem includes lakes, ponds, rivers, streams and wetlands.
These have no salt content in contrast with the marine
An ecosystem can be as small as an oasis in a desert, or ecosystem
as big as an ocean, spanning thousands of miles. There
are two types of ecosystem: Terrestrial Ecosystem and
Aquatic Ecosystem.
Terrestrial Ecosystems
Terrestrial ecosystems are exclusively land-based
ecosystems. There are different types of terrestrial
ecosystems distributed around various geological zones.
They are as follows:
1. Forest Ecosystems
2. Grassland Ecosystems
3. Tundra Ecosystems
4. Desert Ecosystem

5. Forest Ecosystem
Marine Ecosystem
A The marine ecosystem includes seas and oceans. These
have a more substantial salt content and greater
biodiversity in comparison to the freshwater ecosystem.

forest ecosystem consists of several plants, animals and

microorganisms that live in coordination with the abiotic
factors of the environment. Forests help in maintaining the
temperature of the earth and are the major carbon sink.
Grassland Ecosystem
In a grassland ecosystem, the vegetation is dominated by
grasses and herbs. Temperate grasslands, savanna
grasslands are some of the examples of grassland
ecosystems.
Tundra Ecosystem
Tundra ecosystems are devoid of trees and are found in
cold climates or where rainfall is scarce. These
are covered with snow for most of the year. The
ecosystem in the Arctic or mountain tops is tundra type.
Desert Ecosystem
Deserts are found throughout the world. These are regions
with very little rainfall. The days are hot and the nights are
cold.
Aquatic Ecosystem
Aquatic ecosystems are ecosystems present in a body of
water. These can be further divided into two types,
namely:
1. Freshwater Ecosystem