GEOGRAPHY: The Ecosystem.

To get an introduction to this topic,read THE CONCEPT OF ENVIRONMENT
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ECOSYSTEM
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An ecosystem is a community of living organisms in conjunction with non-living components of the environment like air,water,soil materials,e.t.c. It is the interaction and close relationship between living organisms and their physical environment.
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COMPONENTS OF AN ECOSYSTEM
The ecosystem is divided into two main components namely;
1. Biotic components
2. Abiotic components
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A. BIOTIC COMPONENTS
Biotic components are the living things that shape an ecosystem. It refers to the world of living things which include man,plants and animals. In the biotic component,there are more species of plants than animals and each interacts with one another. Biotic components include;
i. Producers or autotrophs: These are green plants which can manufacture their own food from simple inorganic substances through the process of photosynthesis.
ii. Consumers or heterotrophs: These are organisms which cannot manufacture their own food but depend on producers for food.
iii. Decomposers or detritivores: These are micro-organisms such as fungi and bacteria that break down chemicals or decompose dead organic matter in simpler form which can be re-used by producers and consumers.
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INTERACTION BETWEEN PLANTS AND ANIMALS IN THE BIOTIC COMPONENT
1. Animals depend on plants for their own food.
2. Plants release oxygen which is essential to animals and animals in turn release carbon dioxide to plants.
3. The decomposition of dead animals provide manure for plants.
4. The presence of micro-organisms in the soil also aid plant growth.
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B. ABIOTIC COMPONENTS
Abiotic components are non-living things that shape the ecosystem. They include the physical conditions and non-living resources that affect living organisms in terms of growth,maintenance and reproduction.
The abiotic component is divided into three parts namely;
i. Atmosphere (gases): The parts of the atmosphere that are relevant in the abiotic component are the ´troposphere´ and ´stratosphere´ (ozone layer). The troposphere,which is the lowest region of the atmosphere extending from the earth´s surface to a height of about 6 - 10 km is made up of numerous gases such as Nitrogen (78%),Oxygen (21%),Carbon dioxide (0.03%) and inert or rare gases (0.97%). The most variable component of the troposphere is water vapour and dust particles.
The stratosphere layer of the atmosphere is also important because it absorbs ultra violet radiation. The concentration of ultra violet radiation poses health hazards to the organisms and the prevention of this hazard by the ozone layer in the stratosphere is a relief to living organisms.
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ii. Lithosphere (soil and rocks): Sediments and soil result from weathered rocks while rock itself forms the basic element in the lithosphere. Rocks,therefore supply minerals and as a result,they play an important role. Rocks also store water underground and this helps living organisms.
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iii. Hydrosphere (water): This is the world of water. Water is very important in the ecosystem in as much as life cannot exist without it.
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INTERACTION OR INTERDEPENDENCE BETWEEN BIOTIC AND  ABIOTIC COMPONENTS
1. The water,carbon dioxide and nitrogen cycles provide energy and nutrients for plant growth.
2. Autotrophs or producers depend on soil for support and nutrients.
3. Autotrophs convert sunlight,energy,water and carbon dioxide during photosynthesis to produce food.
4. All human activities are mainly carried out on the soil.
5. Soil,air and water provide habitat for living things.
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