Ecosystems and Their Components

Organisms and Ecosystems

Do Organisms Only Rely on One Ecosystem?

• Organisms do not exclusively rely on one ecosystem; they can thrive in multiple ecosystems.

• Examples:

  • Polar Bear:

  • Habitat: Polar bears primarily inhabit arctic ecosystems but can be impacted by changes in surrounding ecosystems due to climate change, which affects their hunting grounds.

  • Humans:

  • Humans are capable of inhabiting various ecosystems such as urban areas, rural agricultural lands, deserts, etc.

Was Easter Island an Example of a Sustainable Ecosystem?

• Answer: No, Easter Island was not an example of a sustainable ecosystem.

• Reason: The sustainability was compromised due to excessive deforestation.

  • Issue:

  • Too many trees were cut down by humans which led to:

    • Soil erosion.

    • Failure of crops due to loss of fertile soil.

Types of Ecosystems

Ecosystem Size

• Ecosystems can vary significantly in size:

  • Large Ecosystems:

  • Examples include rainforests, oceans, seas, and cities.

  • Small Ecosystems:

  • Examples include a potted plant, aquarium, beehive, rotting log, or even a single cell.

Classification of Ecosystems

• Ecosystems are broadly classified into two major categories:

  • Terrestrial Ecosystems (Land-Based):

  • Example Types:

    • Grassland

    • Tundra

    • Desert

    • Other Examples: Farms

  • Aquatic Ecosystems (Water-Based):

  • Example Types:

    • Freshwater Ecosystems (e.g., rivers, ponds, lakes)

    • Marine Ecosystems (e.g., oceans)

Biotic and Abiotic Factors

• Biotic Factors:

  • Definition: Living components of an ecosystem.

  • Examples: Animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria.

• Abiotic Factors:

  • Definition: Non-living components of an ecosystem.

  • Examples: Air, water, minerals, soil, light, and temperature.

Differences Between Biotic and Abiotic Factors

• Abiotic:

  • Definition: Non-living things that can affect living organisms.

  • Examples: Air, light, temperature, minerals.

• Biotic:

  • Definition: Living things that interact within an ecosystem.

  • Examples: Animals, plants, humans, bacteria.

Classification Exercise

• Classify the following as biotic or abiotic:

  • Temperature: Abiotic

  • Archaea (microorganisms): Biotic

  • Plants: Biotic

  • Soil: Abiotic

  • Animals: Biotic

Summary

• Organisms can exist in multiple ecosystems, which highlight the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the adaptability of species. The unsustainable practices that occurred on Easter Island serve as a cautionary tale for ecosystem management.