An ecosystem is a functional unit in nature.

An ecosystem is basically an energy processing system. The components have evolved together over a long time of period.

There have 2 major components.

  1. Biotic component
  2. Abiotic component
These biotic & abiotic components interact mainly to exchange energy & material.

These interactions occur via different subsystems. 

There are 3 subsystems,
  1. Plant
  2. Animal
  3. Dead & decaying organic matter.
There are 2 essential processes that govern the functioning of these three subsystems.
The processes are,
  1. Photosynthesis.
  2. Decomposition.

Photosynthesis

Light energy and produces organic food from inorganic substances.

Decomposition

Dissipates energy through the breakdown of organic matter & reduces organic matter to inorganic substances.

Biotic components 

The producers of the ecosystem & form the main energy-capturing base of the ecosystem.

Plants, algae, and certain bacteria have the ability to synthesize their own food from simple organic compounds like CO2 & H2O in the presence of sunlight.

Autotrophs, animals depend on plants either directly on indirectly for their nutrition. They are called Heterotrophs.

Heterotrophs are consumers.

Heterotrophs are reclassified into different groups depending on what they feed on.

  • Herbivores - They feed directly on plants.
  • Carnivores - They feed on animal matter.
  • Omnivores - They feed on both animal and plant matter.
  • Detritivores- They feed on dead plants, animals, and waste matter on animals. (Ex. earthworm feeds on dead leaves or organic matter in the soil)
 Decomposers - They depend on dead organic matter for their nutrient and energy requirements such as bacteria, fungi. They are referred to as decomposers. They are involved in breaking down dead organic matter into inorganic nutrients which can be re-utilized by plants.

Abiotic components

That includes soil, water, and air. Their interaction brings about conducive environmental factors for the survival of organisms.

Environment factors include, 

  • Temperature
  • Sunlight
  • Moisture in air
  • Soil water
  • Altitude
  • Water depth
  • Rainfall                                                 These are abiotic factors 
  • Salinity
  • Wind
  • Carbon dioxide
  • Oxygen
  • Nutrients
  • Inorganic elements 
  • Organic compounds
These abiotic factors are categorized as Physical factors & Chemical factors.

Abiotic factors are also classified as  Climatic, Edaphic, Topographic.

Climatic factors 

  • Light intensity
  • Temperature
  • Humidity
  • Rainfall
  • Wind...etc.
Edaphic factors

  • Soil structure                                       Environment factors/Ecological factors
  • Soil texture
  • Soil water
  • Nutrient availability 
  • Soil pH
  • Soil moisture...etc.
Topographic factors    

  • Altitude
  • Latitude
  • Mountains
  • Rivers...etc.
The measurable or quantifiable environment factors/ecological factors are called ecological parameters.