Ecosystem

The idea

The biotic components (plants, animals, microorganisms) and abiotic components (air, water, soil, sunlight, temperature) of a habitat interact to form an ecosystem; interactions among biotic components and between biotic and abiotic components are both essential for survival.

A pond again

A pond has living beings and non-living things. They affect each other.

What is the whole system of interacting living and non-living parts called?

• An ecosystem
• A population
• A habitat only

Build an ecosystem

Press Next step.

Interacting parts

The biotic and abiotic components of a habitat interact with each other to form an ecosystem. Organisms interact with abiotic components for food, shelter and protection.

The biotic and abiotic components of a habitat interact to form an ecosystem. Interactions among biotic components and between biotic and abiotic components are both essential for survival.

Notes

An ecosystem = biotic + abiotic components interacting.

Check yourself

Biotic and abiotic components interacting with each other form …

Which two kinds of interactions are essential for survival in an ecosystem?

Organisms interact with abiotic components for …

An ecosystem includes …

• a population. A population is one kind of organism.
• an ecosystem — correct. Yes!
• a single habitat only. The interacting whole is an ecosystem.
• Only among abiotic components. Both interactions with biotic components are essential.
• None. Both kinds of interactions are essential.
• Among biotic components, and between biotic and abiotic components — correct. Yes!
• food, shelter and protection — correct. Yes!
• only fun. They interact for food, shelter and protection.
• nothing. They interact for food, shelter and protection.
• only living things. Abiotic components are part of an ecosystem too.
• both living and non-living components — correct. Yes!
• only non-living things. Biotic components are part of an ecosystem too.