Question

Explain the various components of ecosystem.

Answer 1

An ecosystem consists of three basic components, namely

• Abiotic Components:

1. Abiotic components include the non-living, inorganic, physical, and chemical factors in the environment. Eg. Land, Air, Water, Calcium, Iron, etc.

• Biotic Components:

1. Biotic components include plants, animals, and micro organisms.
2. Biotic components can be classified into three categories:
   • Producers
   • Consumers
   • Decomposers.
3. Producers are self-nourishing components of the ecosystem. Elance they are called Autotrophs.
4. They are found both on land and water. Eg. Plants, Algae, Bacteria, etc.
5. Consumers are those that depend on producers, directly or indirectly. Hence they are called Heterotrophs.
6. Decomposers are some organisms that are incapable of preparing its own food. They live on dead and decaying plants and animals. Hence they are called Saprotrophs.

• Energy Components:

1. All organisms in the biosphere use energy to work and convert one form of energy into another.
2. The Sun is the ultimate source of energy for the biosphere as a whole.
3. The producers, consumers, and the decomposers contribute a lot to the energy flow in an ecosystem.