The other day, we had explored our schoolyard and found biotic and abiotic components.
Just to help you revise - Biotic components mean all components that have life and Abiotic components are non-living in characteristics. All plants, animals and microorganism existing in a specific area and the non-living things such as soil, air, water etc. present in their environment together form an ecosystem.
In an ecosystem, biotic and abiotic components are involved in interaction with each other. For e.g. plants utilize sunlight, minerals and water from their environment to survive and grow. Meanwhile, animals get their food, nutrition and energy by eating plants or animals. Plants, animals and microorganism need water and air for maintaining their life; they take it from their environment.
We, humans, are also a part of the ecosystem. Like other animals, we also get our nutrition from biotic and abiotic components.
The ecosystem could be very large such as ocean or forest, while a hole in a tree or a discarded pot filled with rain water. The study of the ecosystems is called ecology and the scientists who conduct such studies are called ecologists.
Now we know that although different regions of our planet look different, they are actually connected with each other. Any disturbance happening in one part of the world is not restricted to that region. The air from one continent travels to another continent. The pollution in one ocean can reach other oceans over time and influence the organisms living there. The forest fire from one country can create a haze in another country.
Yet we have found that many areas of our environment have a unique identity as far as the biotic and abiotic factors are concerned and function as distinct ecosystems.
Understanding an ecosystem
The other day, we had explored our schoolyard and found biotic and abiotic components.
In an ecosystem, biotic and abiotic components are involved in interaction with each other. For e.g. plants utilize sunlight, minerals and water from their environment to survive and grow. Meanwhile, animals get their food, nutrition and energy by eating plants or animals. Plants, animals and microorganism need water and air for maintaining their life; they take it from their environment.
The ecosystem could be very large such as ocean or forest, while a hole in a tree or a discarded pot filled with rain water. The study of the ecosystems is called ecology and the scientists who conduct such studies are called ecologists.
Now we know that although different regions of our planet look different, they are actually connected with each other. Any disturbance happening in one part of the world is not restricted to that region. The air from one continent travels to another continent. The pollution in one ocean can reach other oceans over time and influence the organisms living there. The forest fire from one country can create a haze in another country.
Let’s study a few of them.