Biotic Components (Autotrophs)

• Biotic components of an ecosystem are the living components that make up the ecosystem of that particular area. Biotic components can be further divided into autotrophs and heterotrophs. Autotrophs or producers are organisms capable of manufacturing organic compounds that they need as nutrients from simple inorganic compounds, which they obtain from their environment. In terrestrial ecosystems, the main producers are green plants, while in the aquatic ecosystems, the main producers are phytoplankton. Most producers produce the organic nutrients they require through the process of photosynthesis. Some bacteria are producers that do not require photosynthesis to convert inorganic compounds from their environment and convert them to organic nutrients.
  
  

Heterotrophs

• Heterotrophs are the consumers in an ecosystem. These organisms are incapable of synthesizing the organic nutrients they need from their environment; as such, they feed on the autotrophs or other consumers to get their organic nutrients. The consumers in an ecosystem are composed of all the animals, including fishes, birds and insects.
  
  

Abiotic Factors

• The abiotic factors in an ecosystem include the physical and chemical properties of an ecosystem. The physical properties include the nature of the soil, water current, wind, latitude and altitude, precipitation, temperature, and sunlight and shade. The chemical factors include the level of plant nutrients, salinity of water in aquatic ecosystems, presence of toxic substances and level of dissolved oxygen in aquatic ecosystems.
  
  

The Cycle of an Ecosystem

• Ecosystems have cycles or energy flows where materials are recycled. Energy from the sun enters the ecosystem, which the producers convert to a usable form through photosynthesis. Herbivores consume the plants to obtain energy, while carnivores eat the herbivores to get their own energy. Some consumers are omnivorous, meaning that they consume both plants and other animals to obtain their energy. Detrivores feed on the waste products and dead tissue of all of the other organisms while the decomposers, in the form of microbes, finish up the job. They break down the complex organic molecules into simple organic compounds, which can serve as nutrients for plants.