What is an ecosystem and what are its main components?

An ecosystem is a community of living and non-living things that interact with each other in a particular environment. The living components of an ecosystem are called biotic factors, while the non-living components are called abiotic factors. Both biotic and abiotic factors play important roles in sustaining an ecosystem.

The biotic components of an ecosystem include all living things, such as plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms. These living organisms interact with each other in complex ways, forming food webs and other ecological relationships. Each organism plays a unique role in its ecosystem, and the balance of these roles is essential to maintaining the health and stability of the ecosystem.

The abiotic components of an ecosystem include all non-living things, such as air, water, sunlight, temperature, soil, and minerals. These factors can have a significant impact on the living organisms within an ecosystem. For example, changes in temperature or water availability can affect the growth and reproduction of plants, which can in turn impact the animals that depend on those plants for food and shelter.