An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with each other and their non-living environment, such as air, water, and soil. These interactions form a complex network where energy flows, nutrients cycle, and organisms depend on one another for survival. Ecosystems can vary in size, from a small pond to the entire planet.
Components of an Ecosystem:
- Biotic Components (Living):
- Producers (Autotrophs): Plants and algae that produce their own food through photosynthesis.
- Consumers (Heterotrophs): Animals that rely on other organisms for food, including herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores.
- Decomposers: Organisms like fungi and bacteria that break down dead matter and recycle nutrients.
- Abiotic Components (Non-living):
- Sunlight: Provides energy for photosynthesis.
- Water: Essential for life and various biological processes.
- Soil: Provides nutrients and a habitat for plants and organisms.
- Air: Contains gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide, necessary for respiration and photosynthesis.
