Ecosystem

Environment: The term environment is used to denote all living and non-living things. In other words, the living
organisms and their surroundings constitute the environment.
Components of the Environment:
 Biotic (Living) Component: Plants and animals.
 Abiotic (Non-living) Component: Air, water, light, temperature, clouds, and soil.
 Cultural Component: Human influences on the environment is called Cultural Component.
Natural Environment:
 Under natural condition both biotic and abiotic components comprises Natural Environment.
 Man is a dominant part of the natural environment and the only organism capable of changing it.
Human Impact on the Environment:
 Increasing human population and pursuit of physical comforts have greatly modified the natural environment.
 This modified environment is known as the socio-cultural environment.
Consequences of the Socio-Cultural Environment:
 Degradation of environmental quality.
 Issues such as polluted air, unsafe drinking water, congested roads, and high pollution levels.
 Development of tall buildings and industries to manage the growing population.

Ecosystem
 Definition: An ecosystem consists of plants and animals together with the non-living environment in a
given habitat.
Or
The constant interaction between biotic and abiotic components in a habitat forms a system that is called
Ecosystem.
 Interactions:
o Plants and animals within an ecosystem interact with each other and with the abiotic environment.
o Plants and animals depend on the abiotic components (soil, air, water) for survival.
o The biotic (living organisms) and abiotic (non-living) communities are in constant interaction.
 Function: These interactions produce all the necessary materials for their existence.
 Nature: An ecosystem is a self-contained unit.
 Ecology: The study of living organisms in relation to their environment.
 Sources of Energy: Sun: Primary source of energy in any ecosystem.

Components of an Ecosystem
Ecosystem

Abiotic

Biotic

Producer

Consumer

Primary (Herbivors)

Secondary (primary Carnivors)

Tertiary (Secondray Carnivors)

Decomposer
 1. Producers:
o Definition: Green plants that trap solar energy and prepare food using atmospheric resources by the
process of Photosynthesis.
o Role: Provide food for all living organisms on earth; constitute the first level of the ecosystem.
o Consequently, all other organisms higher up on the food chain rely on producers for food.
2. Consumers:
o Primary Consumers: Herbivorous animals that eat plants. They are the second level in the
ecosystem. Primary consumers are always herbivores as they rely on producers for food.
o Secondary Consumers: Carnivorous animals that eat herbivores. They form the third level.
o Tertiary Consumers: Carnivores that eat other carnivores. They form the fourth level.
o Top Carnivores: Carnivores at the top of the food chain, not eaten by other organisms (e.g., Lion).
o Scavengers: Animals that feed on dead organisms (Carcass) (e.g., Vulture) is called Scavengers.
o Consumers: The Herbivorous and Carnivores together called consumers.
3. Decomposers:
o Definition: Microorganisms in the soil that decompose dead matter these micro organisms are known
as Decomposers.
o Role: Break down dead plants and animals, adding nutrients back to the soil, and completing the
nutrient cycle.
o It include saprophytes such as fungi and bacteria. They directly thrive on the dead and decaying
organic matter. Decomposers are essential for the ecosystem as they help in recycling nutrients to be
reused by plants.

Other things related to Ecosystem:

1. Functions of Ecosystem The functions of the ecosystem are as follows:
a. It regulates the essential ecological processes, supports life systems and renders stability.
b. It is also responsible for the cycling of nutrients between biotic and abiotic components.
c. It maintains a balance among the various trophic levels in the ecosystem.
d. It cycles the minerals through the biosphere.
e. The abiotic components help in the synthesis of organic components that involve the exchange of energy.
brief details
2. Functional Components of Ecosystem: So the functional units of an ecosystem or functional
components that work together in an ecosystem are:
 Productivity – It refers to the rate of biomass production.
 Energy flow – It is the sequential process through which energy flows from one trophic level to another.
The energy captured from the sun flows from producers to consumers and then to decomposers and finally
back to the environment.
 Decomposition – It is the process of breakdown of dead organic material. The top-soil is the major site for
decomposition.
 Nutrient cycling – In an ecosystem nutrients are consumed and recycled back in various forms for the
utilisation by various organisms.
3. Energy Flow and Nutrient Cycling
 Energy Transfer: Moves from producers to consumers through different levels.
 Solar Energy-Produce (Plants)- Herbivores(Primary Consumer)- Carnivores (Secondary
Consumer) –Tertiary Consumer- Top Carnivores
 Nutrient Recycling: Decomposition by decomposers returns nutrients to the soil, supporting plant
growth.
4. Importance of Ecosystem:
1. It provides habitat to wild plants and animals.
2. It promotes various food chains and food webs.
3. It controls essential ecological processes and promotes lives.
4. Involved in the recycling of nutrients between biotic and abiotic components.
5. It helps in maintaining the usual flow of energy in an ecosystem including- Carbon Cycle, Energy Cycle,
Nitrogen Cycle, Oxygen Cycle, and Water Cycle.
Through this interaction between living and non-living components, equilibrium is maintained in the biological
world in terms of nutrients and energy.

Types of Ecosystems
1. Grassland Ecosystem:
Characteristics
 Location: Found in regions with moderate to low rainfall and can occur on every continent except
Antarctica. Examples include savannas, prairies, steppes, and savannas.
 Climate: Typically characterized by seasonal variations with wet and dry periods.
 Soil: Often fertile, rich in nutrients due to the decomposition of plant matter.
 Habitat: Terrestrial.
Components
 Producers:
o Grass: The dominant vegetation in grasslands.
o Herbs and Shrubs: Other types of vegetation that contribute to the producer level.
o Photosynthesis: Plants capture solar energy to produce food and oxygen.
 Primary Consumers:
o Herbivores: Grazing animals that feed on grasses and other plants.
 Examples: Rabbits, sheep, bison, and insects like grasshoppers and termites.
o Role: Convert plant energy into animal energy and serve as food for secondary consumers.
 Secondary Consumers:
o Carnivores: Animals that feed on primary consumers.
 Examples: Frogs, lizards, and small predatory birds.
o Role: Maintain the balance by controlling herbivore populations.
 Tertiary Consumers:
o Top Predators: Animals that feed on secondary consumers.
 Examples: Snakes
o Role: Regulate populations of lower trophic levels and prevent overgrazing.
 Top Carnivores: Hawks and eagle that consume tertiary consumers.
 Decomposers:
o Microorganisms: Fungi, bacteria, and other decomposers break down dead plant and animal
matter.
o Role: Return nutrients to the soil, enriching it and supporting plant growth.
2. Forest Ecosystem
Characteristics
 Location: Found in various regions around the world, including tropical rainforests, temperate forests, and
boreal forests.
 Climate:
o Tropical Rainforests: Warm and humid with high rainfall throughout the year.
o Temperate Forests: Moderate temperatures with distinct seasons and moderate to high rainfall.
o Boreal Forests (Taiga): Cold, with long winters and short, warm summers.
 Soil: Varies from nutrient-rich in tropical forests to acidic and less fertile in boreal forests.
 Habitat: Terrestrial.

Components
1. Producers:
o Trees: Dominant in forest ecosystems (e.g., oak, pine, mahogany).
o Understory Plants: Includes shrubs and smaller plants (e.g., ferns, bushes).
o Forest Floor Vegetation: Includes mosses and fungi.
o Role: Convert solar energy into food and oxygen through photosynthesis.
2. Primary Consumers:
o Herbivores: Animals that feed on plants and trees.
 Examples: Deer, beetles, elephants, and small herbivorous mammals.
o Role: Transfer energy from producers to higher trophic levels and help in plant pollination and seed
dispersal.
3. Secondary Consumers:

o Carnivores: Animals that feed on herbivores.

 Examples: Snakes, wolves, foxes, and birds of prey.
o Role: Regulate herbivore populations and contribute to ecological balance.
4. Tertiary Consumers:

oTop Predators: Carnivores that are at the top of the food chain.
 Examples: Tigers, lions, bears, and large birds of prey.
o Role: Control populations of secondary consumers and maintain ecosystem stability.
5. Decomposers:

o Microorganisms: Includes fungi, bacteria, and invertebrates like beetles.

o Role: Break down dead organic matter, recycle nutrients, and support soil fertility.
3. Pond Ecosystem
Characteristics
 Location: Small, shallow, and still water bodies found in various landscapes, often surrounded by vegetation.
 Climate: Can vary widely depending on location; typically have distinct seasonal changes.
 Water: Still, with a low to moderate depth; temperature can vary with seasons.
 Habitat: Aquatic, shallow water with still conditions.
Components
1. Producers:
o Aquatic Plants: Include rooted plants along the edges and floating plants.
 Examples: Water lilies, cattails, duckweed.
o Algae: Microscopic plants that grow throughout the water.
 Examples: Green algae, blue-green algae (cyanobacteria).
o Role: Perform photosynthesis to produce food and oxygen for other organisms.
2. Primary Consumers:
o Herbivores: Animals that feed on aquatic plants and algae.
 Examples: Insects (e.g., water beetles, larvae), small fish, tadpoles.
o Role: Transfer energy from producers to higher trophic levels.
3. Secondary Consumers:
o Carnivores: Animals that feed on primary consumers.
 Examples: Frogs, small fish (e.g., perch), dragonfly nymphs.
o Role: Regulate populations of primary consumers and maintain ecological balance.
4. Tertiary Consumers:
o Top Predators: Carnivores at the top of the food chain.
 Examples: Larger fish (e.g., bass), birds (e.g., kingfishers, herons) that prey on frogs and fish.
o Role: Control populations of secondary consumers and contribute to ecosystem stability.
5. Decomposers:
o Microorganisms: Includes fungi, bacteria, and invertebrates.
o Role: Decompose dead plants and animals, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
4. Sea or Marine Ecosystem
Characteristics
 Location: Cover approximately 71% of Earth's surface, including oceans, seas, and coastal waters.
 Climate: Varies widely; oceans influence global climate and weather patterns, with temperature and salinity
changes affecting different regions.
 Water: High salt content; diverse conditions ranging from shallow coastal waters to deep ocean trenches.
 Habitat: Aquatic, high salt content.

Components
1. Producers:
o Phytoplankton: Microscopic plants and algae that form the base of the marine food web.
 Examples: Diatoms, dinoflagellates.
o Seaweeds: Larger, multicellular algae that grow in shallow, coastal areas.
 Examples: Kelp, sea lettuce.
o Role: Perform photosynthesis, producing oxygen and serving as the primary source of energy for
marine life.
2. Primary Consumers:
o Zooplankton: Microscopic animals that feed on phytoplankton.
 Examples: Copepods, krill.
o Small Fish: Feed on zooplankton.
 Examples: Anchovies, sardines.
o Role: Transfer energy from producers to higher trophic levels.
3. Secondary Consumers:
o Carnivorous Fish: Fish that prey on smaller fish and zooplankton.
 Examples: Tuna, mackerel.
o Marine Invertebrates: Include creatures like jellyfish and squid.
o Role: Regulate populations of primary consumers and contribute to energy transfer.
 4. Tertiary Consumers:
o Top Predators: Apex predators in the marine food chain.
 Examples: Sharks, large predatory fish (e.g., swordfish), and marine mammals (e.g., killer
whales, seals).
o Role: Control populations of secondary consumers and maintain ecological balance.
5. Decomposers:
o Microorganisms: Includes bacteria, fungi, and detritivores that break down dead organic matter.
o Role: Decompose organic material, recycling nutrients back into the marine environment.

Common Features
 Abiotic Components: Remain the same across different ecosystems (e.g., sunlight, temperature, water).
 Biotic Components: Vary significantly between different types of ecosystems.
 Decomposers: Present in all ecosystems, breaking down dead matter and recycling nutrients.

Food Chain and Food Web:

Food Chain
1. Definition:
A sequence of organisms linked together by their feeding relationships is called Food Chain.
Or
A food relationship exists between plants and animals. In this relationship, one living thing is consumed by
another, and is shown by a food chain.

2. Structure: Generally represented as:

o Producers → Herbivores → Small carnivores or omnivores → Big carnivores

 A food chain is a diagram showing the process of "eating and being eaten."
 Arrows: Each arrow in a food chain means "is eaten by."
Example: Grass → Rabbit → Fox
o Grass is eaten by the rabbit.
o Rabbit is eaten by the fox.
 Decomposers:
 The last link of a food chain is occupied by decomposers.
  Decomposers break down dead organisms and recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem.

3. Examples of Food Chain:

o Grass → Deer → Lion
o Grass → Rabbit → Tiger
o Grass → Insect → Frog → Snake → Eagle or Hawk
o Grass → Grasshopper → Crow → Fox
o Flower → Caterpillar → Frog → Snake → Owl
o Algae → Fish → Seal → Shark
o Grass → Grasshopper → Hawk
o Grass → Frog → Snake
o Plants → Human beings
o Grass → [Rabbit/Deer/Sheep] → Lion
o Grass → Insects → Birds
o Algae → Insects → Small fish → Large fish
o Grass → Insects → Frog → Snake → Eagle
o Small plants and animals in water → Small fish → Large fish

4. Energy Flow:
o Light energy from the Sun is converted into chemical energy in plant tissue.
o This chemical energy is transferred through the food chain from plants to herbivores, then to
carnivores.
o Example of Trophic Levels:
 1st Trophic Level: Producers
 2nd Trophic Level: Primary Consumers (Herbivores)
 3rd Trophic Level: Secondary Consumers (Carnivores)
 4th Trophic Level: Tertiary Consumers (Secondary Carnivores)
Food Web
1. Definition:
An interwoven pattern of several interconnected food chains.
OR
A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains in nature.
2. Characteristics:
o Animals do not survive on a single type of organism.
o Each organism consumes multiple types of animals.
o Each animal is preyed upon by multiple types of animals.

3. Complexity:
o Food chains are not linear and simple but interconnected, forming a complex web.
o Simple food chains do not operate independently.
o Multiple food chains are linked together.
4. Interactions:
 oGreen Plants: Eaten by several herbivores.
oHerbivores: Eaten by multiple carnivores.
oCarnivores: May be eaten by other carnivores.
5. Formation:
o The interlinking of multiple food chains creates a food web.
o This interconnection ensures that energy and nutrients are distributed across various
organisms in an ecosystem.
Additional Information
 Oxygen Production: One big tree can produce enough oxygen for 70 people to breathe.

Difference Between Food Chain And Food Web

Food Chain Food Web
A linear pathway showing the flow of energy A multitude of networks showing the flow of
energy
An organism of higher level trophic feeds on a An organism of a higher trophic level has access to
specific organism of lower trophic level more members of a lower trophic level.
Does not affect the adaptability and It has a role in improving the adaptability and
competitiveness of organisms. competitiveness of an organism.

Energy Pathways: Summary

1. Energy Transfer:
o In a food chain, energy is transferred from one organism to another through the consumption of food.
o This transfer happens from producers to herbivores to carnivores.
2. Energy Flow:
o Food chains illustrate energy pathways or energy flow.
3. Primary Source:
o The Sun is the primary source of energy.
o Plants use sunlight to produce food through photosynthesis.
4. Energy Distribution:
o The energy stored in plants is transferred to animals when they consume the plants.
o This energy continues to transfer up the food chain as animals eat other animals.
5. Role of Decomposers:
o Decomposers break down dead plants and animals into simple substances.
o These substances are then used by plants as nutrients to make food, completing the energy cycle.
Lindeman's Energy Transfer Rule in Ecosystems
1. Definition:
o Lindeman's Energy Transfer Rule, also known as the 10% Law, describes the efficiency of energy
transfer between trophic levels in an ecosystem.
2. Energy Transfer Efficiency:
o Only about 10% of the energy at one trophic level is transferred to the next level.
o The remaining 90% of energy is lost primarily through metabolic processes as heat.
3. Trophic Levels:
o Producers (1st Trophic Level): Capture energy from the Sun through photosynthesis.
o Primary Consumers (2nd Trophic Level): Herbivores that consume producers.
o Secondary Consumers (3rd Trophic Level): Carnivores that eat herbivores.
o Tertiary Consumers (4th Trophic Level): Carnivores that eat other carnivores.
4. Energy Pyramid:
o The energy pyramid visualizes the 10% rule, showing a large base of energy at the producer level and
progressively smaller amounts of energy at higher trophic levels.
5. Implications:
o Limited energy transfer means fewer organisms can be supported at higher trophic levels.
o The energy decrease affects the structure and dynamics of ecosystems, often resulting in fewer tertiary
consumers compared to primary producers.
6. Example:
o If plants capture 1000 units of energy from the Sun, only 100 units are available to herbivores.
o Of these 100 units, only 10 units are available to the primary carnivores, and just 1 unit is available to
the secondary carnivores.

Assertion and Reason Based questions

Question-1
Assertion (A): Ecosystem is an open system.
Reason (R): Ecosystem receives input in the form of solar energy alone from the surroundings.
a) Both assertion and reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation for the assertion
b) Both assertion and reason are true but the reason is not the correct explanation for the assertion
c) Assertion is true but reason is false
d) Both assertion and reason are false
Ans: (c)Assertion is correct but Reason is incorrect

Question-2
Assertion: In a terrestrial ecosystem, detritus food chain is a major conduit for energy flow.
Reason: Solar energy is direct source of energy supply in detritus food chain.
a) Both Assertion and Reason are correct and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion
b) Both Assertion and Reason are correct but Reason is not the correct explanation for Assertion
c) Assertion is correct but Reason is incorrect
d) Both Assertion and Reason are incorrect
Ans: (c)Assertion is correct but Reason is incorrect

Question-3
Assertion (A): Ecosystem could be as small as a pond and as varied as a large ocean.
Reason (R): The plants and animals live in the system under which they interact and develop relations with
each other as well as with their physical environment.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and Rare true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.
Ans: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

Question-4
Assertion: A sparrow in a primary producer when it eats seeds, fruits and peas.
Reason: Sparrow belongs to primary consumer when it eats insects and worms
a) If both assertion and reason are true and the reason is a correct explanation of the assertion.
b) If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not a correct explanation of the assertion.
c) If assertion is true but reason is false.
d) If both assertion and reason are false.
Ans: (d) If both assertion and reason are false.

Question-5
Assertion (A): Herbivores are called first order consumers.
Reason (R): Tiger is a top carnivore.
a) Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
b) Both Assertion and Reason are true but Reason is NOT the correct explanation of Assertion.
c) Assertion is true but Reason is false.
d) Assertion is false and Reason is true.
Ans: (b) Both Assertion and Reason are true but Reason is NOT the correct explanation of Assertion.

Question-6
Assertion : First trophic level in a food chain is always a green plant.
Reason : Green plants are called producers.
a) Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
b) Both Assertion and Reason are true but Reason is NOT the correct explanation of Assertion.
c) Assertion is true but Reason is false.
d) Assertion is false and Reason is true
Answer: a) Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.

Question-7
Assertion: Producers are present at the first trophic level.
Reason: Consumers or heterotrophs fix energy making it available for autotrophs.
a) If both assertion and reason are true and the reason is a correct explanation of the assertion.
b) If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not a correct explanation of the assertion.
c) If assertion is true but reason is false.
d) If both assertion and reason are false.
Answer: c) If assertion is true but reason is false.

Question-8
Assertion: Flow of energy in a food chain is unidirectional.
Reason: Energy captured by autotrophs does not revert back to the solar input and it passes to the herbivores.
a) If both assertion and reason are true and the reason is a correct explanation of the assertion.
b) If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not a correct explanation of the assertion.
c) If assertion is true but reason is false.
d) If both assertion and reason are false.
Answer: a) If both assertion and reason are true and the reason is a correct explanation of the assertion.

Question-9
Assertion: Food web is a network of food chains existing together in the ecosystem.
Reason: An animal like deer cannot be a part of food chain.
a) If both assertion and reason are true and the reason is a correct explanation of the assertion.
b) If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not a correct explanation of the assertion.
c) If assertion is true but reason is false.
d) If both assertion and reason are false.
Answer: c) If assertion is true but reason is false.

Question-10
Assertion: Aquatic food chain is the food chain present in water bodies.
Reason: The example of aquatic food chain is, Phytoplankton -> Zooplankton -> Fish -> Shark
a) If both assertion and reason are true and the reason is a correct explanation of the assertion.
b) If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not a correct explanation of the assertion.
c) If assertion is true but reason is false.
d) If both assertion and reason are false.
Answer: a) If both assertion and reason are true and the reason is a correct explanation of the assertion.

Question-11
Assertion: food web consists of only producers.
Reason: specific enzymes are required for breakdown of substances in environment.
a) If both assertion and reason are true and the reason is a correct explanation of the assertion.
b) If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not a correct explanation of the assertion.
c) If assertion is true but reason is false.
d) If both assertion and reason are false.
Answer: d) If both assertion and reason are false.

Question-12
Assertion: The various components of an ecosystem are interdependent
Reason: food chain and web are formed due to linkage in organisms .
a) If both assertion and reason are true and the reason is a correct explanation of the assertion.
b) If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not a correct explanation of the assertion.
c) If assertion is true but reason is false.
d) If both assertion and reason are false.
Answer: a) If both assertion and reason are true and the reason is a correct explanation of the assertion.

Question-13
Assertion: Each step in a food chain is called a trophic level.
Reason: Trophic levels are formed by both
a) If both assertion and reason are true and the reason is a correct explanation of the assertion.
b) If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not a correct explanation of the assertion.
c) If assertion is true but reason is false.
d) If both assertion and reason are false.
Answer: d) If both assertion and reason are false.

Question-14
Assertion: Green plants are called producers.
Reason: Animals are consumers.
a) If both assertion and reason are true and the reason is a correct explanation of the assertion.
b) If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not a correct explanation of the assertion.
c) If assertion is true but reason is false.
d) If both assertion and reason are false.
Answer: b) If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not a correct explanation of the assertion.

Question-15
Assertion: Carnivore are first order consumers.
Reason: Tiger is a top carnivore.
a) If both assertion and reason are true and the reason is a correct explanation of the assertion.
b) If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not a correct explanation of the assertion.
c) If assertion is true but reason is false.
d) If both assertion and reason are false.
Answer: d) If both assertion and reason are false.

Question-16
Assertion: frog is a primary carnivore.
Reason: Hawk is a secondary carnivore.
a) If both assertion and reason are true and the reason is a correct explanation of the assertion.
b) If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not a correct explanation of the assertion.
c) If assertion is true but reason is false.
d) If both assertion and reason are false.
Answer: b) If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not a correct explanation of the assertion.
Question-17
Assertion: Forests and ponds are natural ecosystem.
Reason: Gardens and field are artificial ecosystems.
a) If both assertion and reason are true and the reason is a correct explanation of the assertion.
b) If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not a correct explanation of the assertion.
c) If assertion is true but reason is false.
d) If both assertion and reason are false.
Answer: a) If both assertion and reason are true and the reason is a correct explanation of the assertion.

Question-18
Assertion: Food ensures survival of all tropic levels.
Reason: Phytoplanktons are primary consumers.
a) If both assertion and reason are true and the reason is a correct explanation of the assertion.
b) If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not a correct explanation of the assertion.
c) If assertion is true but reason is false.
d) If both assertion and reason are false.
Answer: c) If assertion is true but reason is false.

Here are the brief details of the functions of an ecosystem:

1. Regulation of Ecological Processes:
o Ecosystems control essential ecological processes such as energy flow, water cycle, and nutrient
cycling.
o They support life systems by providing habitats and necessary resources.
o This regulation contributes to the stability of ecosystems.
2. Nutrient Cycling:
o Ecosystems facilitate the recycling of nutrients between living organisms (biotic) and non-living
(abiotic) components.
o This process ensures that essential elements like carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus are available for
use by organisms.
3. Trophic Level Balance:
o Ecosystems maintain a balance among different trophic levels (producers, consumers, and
decomposers).
o This balance ensures that energy and nutrients flow efficiently through the food web.
4. Mineral Cycling:
o Ecosystems cycle minerals such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus through the biosphere.
o These cycles are crucial for maintaining soil fertility and supporting plant growth.
5. Synthesis of Organic Components:
o Abiotic components like sunlight, water, and minerals aid in the synthesis of organic compounds (e.g.,
photosynthesis in plants).
o This involves the exchange of energy, which drives the production of biomass and supports life forms.