Components in the Interdependent Ecosystem

Illustration of the ecosystem (Image Fokasu Art-Freepik)

YOGYAKARTA - In an ecosystem, it is not only made up of living things. The environment is also one of the components in the ecosystem that has a big role for the sustainability of the system. This means that the ecosystem consists of many components that have reciprocal relationships. To understand what components are in an ecosystem, read the following article.

Components in the Ecosystem

The term ecosystem was first introduced in 1935 by an English ecologist named Arthur Tansley. He emphasized that living things not only live alone, but also live with each other on the environmental factors where they live.

In an article entitled Study of the Function of Green Open Space Area as a Power Controller Supporting the Ecosystem in Biology Learning in High School written by Al Muzzammil Al Rabb (Proceedings of the National Seminar on Education: 2017) it is explained that the ecosystem consists of two components, namely the physical environment or non-living beings (abiotic component) and the component of living beings (abiotic component).

The biotic component is all living things that exist in an ecosystem. Examples of creatures that are part of the biotic component are humans, microorganisms, plants, and animals.

Meanwhile, the abiotic component includes various physical and chemical elements. Examples that include abiotic elements are soil, water, air, sunlight, and temperature. All of these components are media and sources of energy for the life of living beings in one ecosystem.

The components that make up the ecosystem then mutually influence and depend on each other. This interconnection is in the form of reciprocal relationships or interactions that can be established between biotic and abiotic.

An example of the interaction between biotic and abiotic components is the absorption of sunlight, water, minerals, and carbon dioxide by plants. These components are needed for photosynthesis. After that, plants produce oxygen which is very needed by living things, both humans and animals.

Characteristics of Ecosystems

In the book entitled Ecology and Environment written by Johan Sukweenadhi, Ph.D., it is explained that ecosystems can be large or small in size. Ecosystems can also be found in various places such as forests, grasslands, seas, lakes, or even city parks. The following are the characteristics of ecosystems that can be known.

It has a constant energy source, generally in the form of sunlight or geothermal heat in ecosystems found on the shallow sea floor. The population of living things is able to store energy in the form of organic matter. There is a continuous material cycle between the population and its environment. There is an energy flow from one level to another.

That's the information related to components in the ecosystem. Visit VOI.id to get other interesting information.