question_answer 7)

Describe the components of an ecosystem. 

Answer:

The components of ecosystem are as follows: (i) Abiotic components or non living components : These include inorganic substances or minerals (standing state or standing quality), organic substances and different climatic conditions like temperature, pH, light, etc. (ii) Biotic components or living components: (a) Autotrophs or producers which have capacity to manufacture their own food or which can fix radiant energy of sun into chemical energy, e.g., green plants and photosynthetic bacteria. (b) Heterotrophs or consumers which are unable to manufacture their own food and depend upon other organisms for their food. These are of following types: Pyramid of numbers - Primary consumers or herbivores which depend upon producers or green plants for their food. - Secondary consumers or carnivores which live upon herbivores. - Top consumers or top carnivores which live upon secondary consumers. (c) Decomposers or microconsumers decompose dead organic substances of producers and consumers into simple substances and thus continue material cycles, e.g., bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, etc.