An ecosystem is a system of a functional part of nature. It may be a small but independent area or a large and independent area with a continuous and homogenous/heterogenous distribution of biotic and abiotic components of that environment.
The term ecosystem was used by A. G. Tansley in 1935.
An ecosystem is a confinedd area where the the interaction of biotic and abiotic components are taking place. Biotic components are not independent from the abiotic components, likewise,, abiotic components are also dependent on biotic components in some ways- such as energy recycling.
An ecosystem is formed with two components- i) Biotic and ii) Abiotic components.
i) Biotic components are -
a) Plants - these are the autotrophic part of the ecosystem starting from microscopic algae to giant banyan trees etc. They are the only functional components in an ecosystem that convert light energy into chemical energy (carbohydrate)and make available to all the heterotrophic organisms like us. They are the primary producers in the ecosystem and the first component of a food chain. The food chain started from the green plants is called a grazing food chain.
b) Animals - these are all heterotrophic organisms in an ecosystem that cannot produce their own food like plants. Their role in the food chain is starting from the second trophic level to tertiary levels which play an important role in ecosystem balancing. There are different trophic levels of heterotrophic organisms in an ecosystem that transfer energy from lower trophic levels to higher trophic levels. They may be herbivoures,carnivours and omnivoures.
c) Microorganism- Microorganisms are microscopic organisms in an ecosystem that cannot be seen by the naked eye. To view them, magnifying devices are required. Compound microscopes, electron microscopes or similar types of devices are used to see such organisms. Microorganisms are played a very crucial role in our environment. They decompose dead and decaying organic materials in the environment and recycle the inorganic entity of our environment such as - Carbon, Nitrogen, Hydrogen, Phosphorus, Sulphur etc. A detritus food chain is started from dead and decaying organic materials and it is led by microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, etc.
ii) Abiotic components
- Air
- Water
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Soil
- Light etc.
Inter-relationship between biotic and abiotic components
Both abiotic and biotic components are interrelated to sustain each other in a definite manner. Plants are vital components of the environment. With the help of sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide green plants prepare food by converting light energy into chemical energy. In this natural process, biotic components plants use abiotic components i.e. light, water, and carbon dioxide. This process is known as photosynthesis. The chemical form of this food is often called a carbohydrate. This food is transferred to other non-photosynthetic heterotrophic organisms in the environment. Again some other abiotic components such as magnesium, iron, nitrogen, phosphorous, sulfur, chloride, etc absorb by plants through their roots from the soil and these abiotic components which are called minerals get from the plants through foods. In the biosphere, if you imagine how much minerals and carbon are stored within living beings, it becomes an unanswerable question. Then from where do abiotic components again come into the environment? Answer is simple. After death and decaying of living organisms, some minerals are mixed in the soil. When burning gaseous abiotic components moves back to the environment. Some abiotic components like carbon dioxide, and water move back through respiration and transpiration respectively.