Characteristics of ecosystem

Characteristics of ecosystem can be defined by its structure and function

Structure of an ecosystem

The components of the structure of an ecosystem are shown in the diagram.

The structure of an ecosystem has two major components

1. Abiotic components
2. Biotic components

Abiotic components

They are the non-living components of ecosystem and includes physical factors such as soil, sun light,  water, various organic substances like carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, methane, coal, enzymes etc. and various inorganic substances like hydrogen,  nitrogen,  potassium,  phosphorus etc.

Biotic components

It is the living components of the ecosystem. Examples are plants, animals, birds, human being, bacteria etc.
Biotic components can be divided as
1. Autotrophs
2. Heterotrophs
3. Saprotrophs

Autotrophs

Autotroph or Producer is an organism that produces complex organic substances like carbohydrates, fats and proteins using simple inorganic substances like carbon dioxide and energy from sunlight. This is required for other living beings like heterotrophs and saprotrophs for their food and energy needs. Examples are plants on land and algae in water.

Heterotrophs

A Heterotroph or consumer is an organism that cannot produce its own food, instead taking nutrition from other sources of organic carbon, mainly plant or animal matter.
Heterotrophic living organisms include all animals and fungi, human being, some bacteria and protists and many parasitic plants.
Heterotrophs include Herbivores, Carnivores and Omnivores

Herbivores

Herbivores are primary consumers which directly depend autotrophs for their food. Examples are cattle, deer, horse, rabbit, parrot etc.

Carnivores

Carnivores are secondary or tertiary consumers which depend herbivores or other carnivores for their food. Examples are: tiger, lion, hawk, eagle, snake, frog etc.

Omnivores

Omnivores are those living beings which eat both autotrophs and herbivores. Examples are human being, crow, pig etc.

Saprotrophs

Saprotrophs are living organisms that derive their nutrition from the dead and decaying organic matter. As they derive nutrition from dead matter, they are often termed as decomposers or Detrivores. Fungi and few other bacteria are good example of saprotrophs.