Functions of ecosystem

Ecosystems exist through the following functions:

1.    Mutual interaction
2.    Nutrient cycling
3.    Energy flow
4.    Homeostasis

Interaction

Ecosystem cannot survive without interactions between its components. Biotic communities in the ecosystem are getting their food and energy from the abiotic components like sunlight, water, soil, temperature and various organic and inorganic substances. At the same time, the nutrients for plants are returned to the soil through the dead bodies and faecal matters of living beings. When plants use carbon dioxide for photosynthesis and return the oxygen to the atmosphere, living beings use this oxygen for their respiration. Biotic communities are interacting with each other by eating and by being eaten up. Decomposers are working as cleaning agents by decaying animal wastes and faecal matters. Such a way an ecosystem exists through mutual interactions between its various components.

Nutrient cycling

In an ecosystem nutrients like organic compounds and minerals are cycled through its various components and returned to its origin. Autotrophs extract minerals from the soil and by the process of photosynthesis convert it into organic compounds and also some are stored in its structure. These nutrients transferred to the heterotrophs when they eat it. At the same time these nutrients returned to the soil, when decomposers decay the dead matters of plants and animals and their faecal matters. Such a way nutrient cycling is happened in an ecosystem.

Energy flow

The sun is the ultimate source of energy. In an ecosystem, the light and heat energy from the sun is converted into chemical energy i.e. nutrients by the autotrophs and then it is transferred to the heterotrophs as they consume it. It is noted that only a small amount of energy is transferred from one trophic level to another and the remaining is lost as heat to the atmosphere. Finally this energy will reach into the saprotrophs also. This way energy from the sun is flowing through the biotic components and some reach into the atmosphere.

Homeostasis

Ecosystem maintains a functional balance between its various components. This phenomenon is known as homeostasis.  For example , it is sometimes claimed that when atmospheric carbon dioxide levels rise , certain plants may able to grow better and thus act to remove more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Same way, in an agricultural land, when the rat population increases, the snake population also increases. But at a certain stage when rat population decreases, the snake population also reduces. Again as the snake population reduces, the rat population