Components of The Ecosystem: Biotic and Abiotic

Ecosystem

A community of living organisms and their nonliving environment that interact as a functional unit.

Biotic Components

The living beings that affect other species in an ecosystem, either directly or indirectly.

Abiotic Components

Every chemical and physical component in an ecosystem, or non-living component.

Producers

Plants and other autotrophic organisms that can produce energy through photosynthesis.

Consumers

Heterotrophic organisms that obtain their energy from other organisms or their products.

Herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores

Consumers are further subdivided into these three categories

Herbivores

Animals that primarily eat plants for their nutrition, such as deer, rabbits, and cows.

Carnivores

Animals that primarily eat meat as their main food source. They are also known as secondary consumers in the food chain.

Omnivores

Animals that eat both plants and other animals. They have a diverse diet and can adapt to various food sources for their nutritional needs.

Decomposers

Organisms such as bacteria and fungi that break down dead organic matter into smaller components.

Predators

Animals that consume and kill other animals for food.

Prey

Organisms that are targeted and slaughtered by other creatures to obtain nourishment.

Parasites

Living things that reside within another organism (the host) and feed on it, often harming the host.

Atmosphere

The layer of gases that surrounds the Earth and provides the air we breathe.

Water

The substance that covers the majority of the Earth's surface and is required for life to exist.

Soil

The loose layer of material that covers the Earth's surface and provides nutrients to plants and other organisms.

Sunlight

The primary energy source for Earth's life, crucial for photosynthesis.

Climate

A region's long-term weather patterns, influencing the types of organisms that can live there.

Sahara Desert

Desert biome with high temperatures

Arctic Tundra

Tundra biome with low temperatures

Temperate climate

Parts of Europe and North America experience this climate

Amazon rainforest

Tropical rainforest climate

Deciduous forests

Temperate forest biome with moderate temperatures

Visible light

wavelengths between 0.4 and 0.8 micrometres

UV light

wavelengths shorter than 0.4 micrometres

Infrared

wavelengths longer than 0.8 micrometres

Clay soil

has high fertility due to its ability to retain nutrients, but it tends to hold water tightly, making it heavy and often poorly drained

Sandy soil

warms up quickly and is easy to work with, but it doesn't hold nutrients well

Loamy soil

often considered ideal for gardening as it provides a suitable environment for plant growth

Nitrogen

about 78% of Earth's atmosphere

Oxygen

about 21% of Earth's atmosphere

Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean

Example of Oceans

Lake Baikal and Lake Victoria

Example of Lakes

Amazon River and Nile River

Example of Rivers

Tapeworms

parasitic in the digestive system of hosts

Fleas

parasitic on mammals like dogs or cats

Malaria Parasites

transmitted through mosquitoes to humans

Carnivores

Lions, wolves, and eagles are what type of consumers?

Omnivores

Humans, bears, and pigs are what type of consumers?

Predators

Lions, Sharks, and Eagles are common examples of what?

Prey

Gazelles, fish, and mice are common examples of what?