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Structure of an Ecosystem (Biotic (Producers (Producers are plants and…
Structure of an Ecosystem
Biotic
Producers
Producers are plants and algae which add energy to a food web through photosynthesis (or chemosynthesis in some extreme ecosystems.
Consumers
Consumers transfer energy through an ecosystem by consuming other living organisms.
Decomposers
Decomposers transfer energy into the soil by decomposing dead organisms.
Pathogens
Diseases can temporarily sharply decrease the population of a species in an ecosystem.
Invading species
Certain species not native to an ecosystem can quickly become dominant if they happen to have a uniquely useful adaptation. This can threaten the balance of an ecosystem.
Abiotic
Climate
Temperature range is an important aspect of ecosystems, as larger temperature ranges requires more specific adaptations, reducing potential biodiversity within the ecosystem and lowering the size of the community,
Climate change could have serious effects on some ecosystems due to climate's significance in ecosystems,
Weather
Most parts of an ecosystem must adapt to regular weather patterns, such as dry and wet season rotations.
Periods of extremely harsh, irregular weather can have devastating impacts on ecosystems.
Relief
Areas of harsh relief have less biodiversity, more sparse populations and fewer invading species.
Relief is intrinsically linked to climate and geology, both of which affect the species which can live in an ecosystem.
Nutrient Cycling
Nutrient cycling is the process of nutrients in a habitat being constantly recycled over time.
It correlates with energy being recycled in an ecosystem.
Soil
In most ecosystems (not counting extreme ones such as rainforests or deserts) the majority of the biomass is stored directly in the soil.
Living beings
Of course, large amounts of biomass are in the currently living organisms within an ecosystem. This varies based on the presence of harmful abiotic factors.
Decaying matter
Biomass being decayed is a less significant store of nutrients and biomass in an ecosystem.