Components of the Ecosystem

COMPONENTS OF THE ECOSYSTEM

by Antonio C. Antonio

January 2, 2015

An ecosystem is a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.  Using this definition, it is quite apparent that an ecosystem has two main components: (1) The BIOTIC or living components; and, (2) ABIOTIC or non-living components.  Although dramatically different, in an ecosystem, these two basic components interact (by exchanging of matter and energy) with each other.

Biotic components are the living things that shape an ecosystem.  A biotic factor is any living component that affects another organism, including animals that consume other organisms and the living food that the organisms consume.  On the other hand, as opposed to the biotic components are the abiotic factors which are all of the non-living things in an ecosystem.

It is very important to highlight not only the different components in an ecosystem (biotic and abiotic) but the process by which they interact through the exchange of matter and energy that allows a symbiotic relationship between the two which account for the survival of the ecosystem itself.  Symbiosis is defined as the interaction between two different organisms living in close physical association, typically to the advantage of both.  This, in my mind, is more significant than simply discussing the components of the ecosystem.

Just my little thoughts…

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