What is an ecosystem?
An The living organisms in a particular area, together with the non-living components of the environment. is a natural environment and includes the All types of plant species that live in a specific area. (plants) and All the different types of animals that live in a specific area. (animals) that live and interact within that environment. Flora, fauna and Single-celled microorganisms, some of which are pathogenic in humans, animals and plants. Singular is bacterium. are the Living elements of an ecosystem, such as plants and animals. or living components of the ecosystem. Ecosystems are dependent on the following Non-living elements of an ecosystem, such as climate, temperature, water, and soil type. or non-living components:
- Average weather conditions over longer periods and over large areas. - the temperature and amount of rainfall are very important in determining which A type of organism that is the basic unit of classification. Individuals of different species are not able to interbreed successfully. can survive in the ecosystem
- soil - the soil type is important as this provides nutrients that will support different plants
- water - the amount of water available in an ecosystem will determine what plants and animals can be supported
The biotic parts of the ecosystem have a complex relationship with the abiotic components - changing one will lead to a change in the other.