Environmental

Science
Chapter 2: Components of Ecosystem
 Learning Objectives

Biotic and Autotrophs and

Abiotic Heterotrophs Factors
01 discuss the biotic
and abiotic factors 02 differentiate autotrophs
and heterotrophs
03 name and discuss the
factors influencing the
of ecosystem distribution of plants and
animals

Processes Environmental
Issues
04 explain the important
processes in the 05 analyze and interpret
specific environmental
ecosystem issue
 01
Biotic and Abiotic
Factors of Ecosystem
 Biotic Factors
refer to the biological influences
on organisms within an
ecosystem which includes all
ecological community and
relationships
Biotic Factors
Autotrophs and
02 Heterotrophs

Producers or Consumers or Decomposers

Autotrophs Heterotrophs
make their own food. need to eat food that heterotrophs that break
eg. plants-photosynthesis autotrophs have down dead tissue and
produced. waste products.
eg. herbivores, eg. bacteria and fungi
carnivores, omnivores
Examples:
Abiotic Factors
refer to those that relate to physical, or
nonliving, factors that shape the ecosystem.
These include the climatic conditions of
terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems;
including temperature, precipitation, and
humidity; wind; nutrients available; substrate
(soil); atmospheric gasses, currents and sunlight.
 Abiotic Factors
This is necessary for
photosynthesis. Sunlight Many living things require
oxygen; it is necessary for
cellular respiration, a process
used to obtain energy from food;
Oxygen others are actually killed by the
presence of oxygen (certain
All living things require bacteria).
some water, but some can Water
live with lesser amounts.
The type of soil, pH, and amount
Soil of water it holds, available
All living things have a nutrients, etc. determine what
range of temperatures in type of organism can
which they can survive; Temperature successfully live in or on the soil.
beyond those limits they
will have difficult time.
Examples:
Together, biotic and abiotic factors determine the survival and growth of an organism and the
productivity of the ecosystem in which the organism lives.

—BIOTIC AND
ABIOTIC FACTORS
 03
Factors Influencing the
Distribution of Plants
and Animals
 Factors

Temperature Water Fire Light

Temperature
The ability to withstand
extremes in temperature
varies widely among plants &
animals.
Effects of Temperature on Animals
Animals respond to variation in temperature both
physiologically and behaviorally.

● Birds and mammals are endotherms (hot-blooded')

and maintain relatively high body temperatures
using the heat by their own metabolism.
● Other animals (such as reptiles, amphibians, fish,
and insects) are called ectotherms and their body
temperatures are largely set by the ambient
(surrounding) temperature.
● Ectotherms use sources of heat such as solar
radiation (direct and indirect) and conduction to
help adjust their body temperature.
Effects of Temperature on Animals
● Endotherms may maintain body
temperature by: changing the position of
fur or feathers; sweating & panting;
shivering; behavioral means such as
seeking shade or water, burrowing, or
varying periods of activity.
● Endotherms may avoid extended periods
of low or high temperatures by hibernating
or estivating.
● Hibernation is winter dormancy.
● Estivation is summer dormancy.
Effects of Temperature on Plants
Plants obviously cannot move to escape high or low
temperatures.

● Photosynthesis slows down or stops when temperatures

get too high or too low.
● At high temperatures, leaves can lose some heat by
evapotranspiration (loss of water through small holes in
leaves).
● Plants adapted to withstand low temperatures because
they may have hairs on leaves or stems; have more
solutes in cytoplasm to reduce freezing point; tend to be
short and grow closely together to resist the cold
temperatures and wind; and tend to be dark-colored to
absorb as much of the sun's heat as possible.
Water
The precipitation determines, along
with mean temperature, the world-
wide distribution of biomes. Primary
problem for plants in areas like
deserts is a lack of water.
Effects of Water on Plants
plants such as cacti that usually
01 Xerophytes have special means of storing
and conserving water.

Plants plants that grow extremely

02 Phreatophytes long roots, allowing them to

acquire moisture at or near the
water table.

plants that survive by

03 Perennials becoming dormant springing to

life when water becomes
available.

plants that usually germinates

in the spring following winter
04 Ephemerals rains. They grow quickly,
flower and produce seeds
before dying.
Fire
Historically, humans have thought that
all fires were detrimental because they
blackened landscapes and burned trees.
In fact, plants and animals evolved
together with fire, making it a necessary
element in the survival of many
ecosystems.
Effects of Fire on Plants
Many plants depend on fire to heat and
scar their seeds as a process for
germination. Decaying trees release
nutrients into the soil and serve as a
base for new plants to sprout. Much of
the plant life has evolved to use fire
directly as a catalyst for reproduction or
benefited by the nourishment left in its
path.
 Effects of Fire on
Animals
The specific effects of fire on animals depend on what kind of
fire, the type of vegetation, and the individual animal.

● Larger animals generally survive more often than smaller

ones; although a burrowed animal can escape burning,
usually it suffocates in the meantime.
● Many birds also thrive after a fire when the seeds of many
trees are dispersed. Birds, like woodpeckers, take advantage
of burned out trees to make nests or forage for dead insects.
● Insects usually do not survive fires well because their escape
range is too small. This can affect birds if the specific insects
are a food source for the aviators. Trees can benefit from the
death of insects that reside in their trunks.
Light
Light influences daily and seasonal
activity patterns of plants and
animals. It is necessary for
photosynthesis which, in turn, is the
source of energy in almost all
ecosystems.
Energy flow through an ecosystem:
Gross primary production
This is where the sun's energy that is
assimilated (total photosynthesis).
Respiration where energy needed for
maintenance and reproduction.

Net primary production

The energy remaining after respiration
& stored as organic matter. The energy
available to other organisms in a food
chain (or food web).
 04
Important Processes in
the Ecosystem
Processes

Photosynthesis Decomposition
This is carried out by plants (with This is the reverse process of photosynthesis, with
chlorophyll). The rate is influenced organic matte being converted into inorganic
by light intensity, temperature, and compounds (like carbon dioxide), accomplished by
availability of water. decomposers such as microorganisms like bacteria
and fungi; and larger organism: like earthworms.
 05
Environmental
Issues
WATCH AND REFLECT!
Thanks!
Do you have any questions?

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