Download ECOSYSTEM COMPONENTS AND INTERACTIONS Introduction

ECOSYSTEM COMPONENTS AND INTERACTIONS
Introduction
Ecosystem is a place where the biotic and abiotic components of an environment
interact. Biotic community consists of living organisms while the abiotic one have the
physical environment or the non-living organisms. The interactions between these two
important components of an ecosystem build a community wherein the biotic community
meets the abiotic community.
Each species present in these communities constitutes a role with which a
community can benefit from it. An example of interaction in the biotic community is the
food chain. It is the transfer of food nutrients of different species starting from the
producers up to the highest order of the predator. The interactions of different organisms
in an ecosystem can help develop a healthy and balance environment.
Somehow, to achieve a healthy environment, there must also a healthy
relationship between the physical and non-physical components in the ecosystem. The
predators or the so-called natural enemies in the ecosystem can help sustain the balance
of it. To further study the relationships of different organisms, a forest environment can
be a good example for this. In this exercise, the Makiling Botanical Garden will serve as
the representation of forest ecosystem in the community here in Los Baños.
Objectives:
At the end of the exercise, the students should be able to:
1. Enumerate the different components of the ecosystem;
2. Describe the interaction of the different components of the ecosystem;
3. Understand the functioning of the ecosystem.
Methodology
The group of students in the course subject NASC5, Environmental Biology, went
to the Makiling Botanical Garden in the UPLB College of Forestry; and International
Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to observe a forest community and explore different
community interaction that can be seen within the surrounding. Each group must come up
with the same findings and then discuss it within themselves.
Results
A.
Table I. Physical factors of the environment, their interactions and their role
in ecosystem.
I.
Physical
Factors
Physical and/or biotic
factors that affect or
interact with it.
Description of the
interaction between factors
in columns 1 and 2.
Role of the physical factor.
Enumerate in column 1 in the
ecosystem.
1.
Light
Cloud cover, Tree
canopy
With more cloud cover there
is lower Light intensity.
Solar energy from the sun
contributes in
photosynthesizing of
chlorophyll-bearing producers.
2.
Water
Tree Canopy, Rain,
Soil particles
Due to rain, soil particles
underwater made it (water) to
be unclear; light penetration is
very low.
3.
Land/Soil
Trees
Terrestrial plants grow and get
their nutrients from the soil.
4.
Air
Trees
Water in the forest provides
“home” for marine organisms.
Land/soil serves as the “cover”
to avoid soil erosion during a
heavy rainfall.
Because of the presence of
trees in the forest, the velocity
if the wind within the area is
lower…..?
Table II. Biotic components of ecosystem
BIOTIC COMPONENTS
Physical factors
that affect
the major groups
of organisms
Location
where you
Observed the
organisms
Other
organisms
that they
interact
Role of the
Organisms in
column 1 in the
ecosystem.
enumerated in
column 1.
A.
Autotrophs
1. Plants
a. Mahogany Tree
b. Ilang-ilang
2.
B.
Other photosynthetic
Organisms
a. vines
b. moss/ferns
Heterotrophs
1. Microconsumers
(decomposers)
a.microflora
*mushrooms
*
b.microfauna
*worms
*water striders
2.
In column 1
and their
number.
With and
description of
their
Interaction.
Butterflies
surround the
leaves of
plants, mosses
can be found in
moist rocks
near the water.
Macroconsumers
(library work)
a.snakes
b. butterflies
These are
chlorophyll bearing
organisms which
produces food and
oxygen for the
consumers near
them.
Heterotrophs are
organisms that
consume the foods
produced by
chlorophyllbearing plants.
They are also
responsible in
balancing the
ecosystem in the
form of predators.
B.
Diagram
Discussion
The plant (dipterocarps) usually grow in forest area. These tree…
Conclusion
Forest environment is a home for different species of animal. In this exercise, the
importance of having a forest in our ecosystem can be seen. It is a home for different
species of animals. It also a place where the biotic and abiotic communities interact and
meet with each other. These two components benefit mutually for their survival.
Not only the living organisms present there benefit from the forest, humans also
benefit from it. The trees from the forest prevent the soil erosion when a heavy rain pours
down, especially here in Los Baños community. The forest of Mt. Makiling helps to
avoid landslides to occur. So we must take care of it.
References
Paton, J. (1999). Kingfisher: Children’s Encyclopedia. Kingfisher Publications Plc. New
Penderel House. London
Rabago, L.M. PhD. (2003). Dynamic Science: An Integration of Physical and Biological
Sciences, Modular Approach. Vibal Publishing House, Inc. Philippines. pp.366-367, 376382, 385-386.