Here you will get all details about “Eco-System Definition, its Components And Processes”. We have listed All Components of Eco-System in detail here. You will get complete knowledge about Eco-System here. Keep Visiting – Vlcinfo
Eco-System Definition
An eco-system is a biological community of living organisms like biotic components and non living physical environment like abiotic components within a specific geographical area.
If we say In simple terms, it represents complex network of living organisms, their habitats and interactions between them.
Components of Eco-System
Here below you can see Components of Eco-System.
Components of Eco-System | Examples |
---|---|
Biotic Components | ➤ Producers (Autotrophs) like Plants, Algae, Cyanobacteria ➤ Consumers (Heterotrophs) like Herbivores, Carnivores, Omnivores, Detritivores ➤ Decomposers like Fungi, Bacteria ➤ Microorganisms like Bacteria, Protozoa, Viruses ➤ Consumers by Feeding Strategy like Primary Consumers, Secondary Consumers, Tertiary Consumers |
Abiotic Components | ➤ Physical Environment like Climate, Topography, Geology, Soil ➤ Chemical Environment like Nutrients, Toxic Substances ➤ Energy Flow like Sunlight |
Energy Flow and Trophic Levels | ➤ Producers (Autotrophs) ➤ Primary Consumers ➤ Secondary Consumers ➤ Tertiary Consumers ➤ Decomposers |
Physical Habitat Components | ➤ Water Bodies ➤ Landforms ➤ Microhabitats |
Climatic Factors | ➤ Temperature ➤ Precipitation ➤ Humidity and Wind |
Succession and Disturbances | ➤ Ecological Succession ➤ Disturbances |
Eco-System Processes
We have described Eco-System Processes in detail below.
Eco-System Processes | Process | Importance |
---|---|---|
Primary Production | Conversion of solar energy into chemical energy | Foundation of the food chain |
Decomposition | Breakdown of organic matter by decomposers like bacteria, fungi and detritivores | Recycling of nutrients, soil fertility and supporting growth of plants |
Nutrient Cycling | Recycling of essential nutrients like carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, etc. | Microbial growth, maintaining eco-system health |
Energy Flow | Transfer of energy in a food chain | Governing relationships between different organisms |
Photosynthesis | Producers convert sun energy into chemical energy and producing oxygen | Balances oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the environment |
Predation and Herbivory | Interaction where one organism (predator) feeds on another (prey) or on plants (herbivory). | Regulates population sizes |
Symbiosis | Close and long-term interactions between different species | Affects the distribution, abundance and health of species |
Biogeochemical Cycles | Cycling of elements like carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur | Regulates greenhouse gases |
Water Cycle | Movement of water through evaporation, condensation, precipitation and runoff | Regulates water availability |