etcivu @ consumers and decomposers What is an Ecosystem? ‘The ecosystem is the structural ang functional unit of ecology where the living organisms interact with each other and the surrounding environment. In other words, an ecosystem is a chain of interaction between organisms and their environment. Structure of the Ecosystem The structure of an ecosystem is characterised by the organisation of both biotic and abiotic components. This includes the distribution of energy in our environment. It also includes the climatic conditions prevailing in that particular environment. ‘The structure of an ecosystem can be split into two main components, namely: + Biotic Components + Abiotic Components The biotic and abiotic components are interrelated in an ecosystem. It is an open system where the energy and components can flow throughout the boundaries. Structure of Ecosystem Abiotic non-living Biotic living ’oae Structure of Ecosystem highlighting the biotic and abiotic factors © scanned with OKEN ScannerBiotic Components Biotic components refer to all life in an ecosystem. Based on nutrition, biotic components can be categorised into autotrophs (Producers), heterotrophs (Consumers) and saprotrophs (or decomposers). «Producers include all autotrophs such as plants. They are called autotrophs as they can produce food through the process of photosynthesis. Consequently, all other ‘organisms higher up on the food chain rely on producers for food. «Consumers or heterotrophs are organisms that depend on other organisms for food. Consumers are further classified into primary consumers, secondary consumers, tertiary consumers and quaternary consumers. «Primary consumers are always herbivores (an animal that feeds on plants) that they rely on producers for food. The herbivorous animals include for example hare, deer and elephants that live on plant life. In the sea, there are small fish that live on algae and other plants. + Secondary consumers depend on primary consumers for energy. They can either be a carnivore (an animal that feeds on other animals) or an omnivore (an animal or person that eats a variety of food of both plant and animal origin). In our forests, the carnivorous animals are tigers, leopards, jackals, foxes and small wild cats. + Tertiary consumers are organisms that depend on secondary consumers for food., Tertiary consumers can also be an omnivore. + Quaternary consumers are present in some food chains. These organisms’ prey (kill) on tertiary consumers for energy. Furthermore, they are usually at the top of a food chain as they have no natural predators (an animal that naturally preys on others). * Decomposers include saprophytes (a plant, fungus, oF microorganism that lives on dead or decaying organic matter). They directly thrive on the dead and decaying organic iste. Decomposers ae esential for she sass a tty help in eeyeing STS 9 be reused by plants. © scanned with OKEN Scanner1 “Abiotic Components uy Abiotic components are the ‘on-living component of an ecosystem. It-includes sir, water, ee sunlight, temperature, nutrients, wind, ete. ’ Functions of Ecosystem one 2 es , The functions of the ecosystem are as follows: { J { 1 It regulates the essen! ecological processes, eaakocs life jsystems_and f renders the stability Me ‘ip i r oti 2 hi is also responsible for the cycling of nutrients between biotic and abiotic a if components. inh i It maintains a balance among the various trophic levels in the ecosystem. ‘The | trophic level of an organism is the position it occupies in a food web. © scanned with OKEN Scanner