The ecosystems, one of the most important functional units that the human being has created and established in order to better understand nature, are constituted by different components.
These complex systems in which life is developed are formed by a network in which components of different kinds interact with each other, making possible the correct functioning and optimal balance of ecosystems. To better learn the characteristics of every ecosystem, it is vital to know how to differentiate its components, the role that each of them plays within the ecosystem, as well as knowing the meaning of other terms that we sometimes find in articles and definitions that speak of ecosystems. This is the case, for example, of the terms habitat, biotope, bioma, biocenosis or ecological niche.
We do not need to be experts or experts in ecology to be able to differentiate these terms, since it is enough with a bit of curiosity for the functioning of nature and the occasional article on the subject, such as Ecology Verde, in which we will count on detail What are the components of an ecosystem.
What is an ecosystem and its main types
When talking about an ecosystem, we talk about a Biological system in which all the interactions between living beings and the environment in which they develop (habitat), as well as the resources that the ecosystem itself provides them and the different energy currents that occur in it. The term was coined by Roy Clapham in 1930, given the need to better know the interrelations established between the communities of living beings and the physical environment that surrounds them, whatever the corner of the planet.
Ecosystems are in turn of another biological unit of greater dimension: biomes. These natural regions have similar characteristics, housing similar flora and fauna species. Each bioma is made up of ecosystems that differentiate them from each other.
In this way, we can find different Types of ecosystemsaccording to the environment in which they exist:
- Terrestrial ecosystems: where deserts, jungles, forests, tundras, herbazals (meadows, steppes and savannas) and thickets are included.
- Aquatic ecosystems: seas, lakes and ponds (lentic ecosystems of relatively stagnant waters), as well as rivers, streams or springs (lobal ecosystems, where the movement of the waters is given towards a single predominant direction).
- Mixed ecosystems (water-earth) and aeroterrestres (air-earth): coasts, wetlands, mangroves and marshes.
- Artificial or unnatural ecosystems of modified landscape (created by the human being): urban and rural.
In this other ecology article, we explain more about what an ecosystem is. In addition, here we leave you a video that explains in detail the definition and types of ecosystems and below you can know their components.
What are the components of an ecosystem
Each ecosystem consists of structural components and functional components. Let’s see more in detail what some consist and say some Examples of the components of an ecosystem To understand them better.
Abiotic components of an ecosystem
Within the structural ones we find physical components and chemical components (abiotic). It’s about lifeless elements such as soil, humidity, weather, temperature, heat, altitude and latitude, sunlight, wind, atmospheric pressure and water; as well as organic and inorganic chemicals that together constitute the habitat, that is, the space occupied by living beings.
Biotic components of an ecosystem
Sayings living beings They are the constituents of the second large group of structural components of an ecosystem, biotic components (living), including different species of animals and plants. All of them perform a function of vital importance within the ecosystem and we can classify them, according to their role within the food chain, in producing organisms (autotrophs, synthesize their own food from chemical components), consuming organisms (heterotrophs, consume food already synthesized). This last group is divided into primary consumers (herbivores), secondary (carnivores that feed on herbivorous animals), tertiary (carnivores that feed on other carnivores) and the group of decomponeers (those that nourish dead organisms and excrement).
Living beings are grouped together forming populations (groups of individuals of a single species) and communities (different populations living in the same ecosystem). Each individual plays a role or role within each community and the ecosystem, which corresponds to their ecological niche.
On the other hand, the functional components of the ecosystem (Energy flows, nutrient cycles, water and carbon cycles and food chains) are responsible for allowing the interrelations that occur in ecosystems, between living beings and the environment in which they live. In the images below you can see an ecosystem full of biodiversity and a scheme on the components of an ecosystem.
In this other post we talk about the differences between biotic and abiotic.
How an ecosystem works – summary
Now that we already know the different components of an ecosystem and the main types that exist, we briefly describe How ecosystems workwhat kind of relationships are given in them and what other terms are important to finish understanding this issue.
The different biological communities of living beings (also known as ecosystem biocenosis) interact with each other in a given space (biotope), which provides and guarantees the environmental conditions they need to survive, whatever the type of ecosystem in which they live.
Focusing on relations between the different communities of an ecosystemwe can find negative relationships (such as parasitism, competition and predation), as well as positive relationships (situations of dinerism, mutualism and cooperation between species and communities) and neutral relationships (in which both groups neither benefit nor are harmed, giving a situation of neutrality).
In this way, the ecosystem remains in constant functioning, where the flows of matter and energy and the relations of the organisms are creating an ecological succession in the communities. This allows the development of the different components of the ecosystem and the maintenance of an optimal balance between living beings and the environment. Here you can learn more about what is ecological succession, stages and examples.
If you want to expand the issue of ecosystems, this image below and this other ecology article on how an ecosystem works can help you.
If you want to read more articles similar to What are the components of an ecosystemwe recommend that you enter our category of ecosystems.
- García, Je (2003). Investigating the ecosystem. School Research Magazine51, 83-100
- Tansley, Ag (1935). The Use and Abuse of Vegetative Concepts and Terms. Ecology16 (3): 284-307
- Sánchez-Cañete, FJ and Ponte, A. (2010) The understanding of ecology concepts and their implications for environmental education. Eureka Magazine about teaching and dissemination of scienceVol. 7.
