Balance in the Eco-system

Concept of eco-system:

There is an inseparable interrelationship between living organisms and their non-living organisms of particular area are included in the interaction with the non-living environment, the energy flow in a definite way or definite trophic. In this system, exchange of materials takes place between living organisms and non-living environment. The energy also flows in the same direction.

In the nature, the living and the non-living things exist in harmony and are inter-dependence. Plants obtain nourishment from the non-living world and animals depend on plants directly or indirectly for their existence. If one of the factors in this balance of nature is affected, the other factor is also affected. For example, if there would be no sun, there would be no plants and animals. If there would be no grass, there would be no animals that live on the grass and consequently, there would be no animals feeding on the grass-eating animals. Human beings, too, depending on plants and animals for food, cannot exist.

The plant and animals community living together make up the balance in the ecological system or eco-system of a place. Hence, eco-system refers to the balanced and maintained environment. The interaction between the living world and physical environment and between plants and animals establishes a balanced eco-system.

The living community is divided into three groups:

A) Producer: Producers are called the autotrophs because they prepare their own food. All the green plants are called the producers which range from microscopic to the largest tree. Light energy is fixed by chlorophyll of plants. During this process, inorganic substances are converted into organic substances.

B) Consumer: living organisms which consume the matter built by the consumers. They cannot make their own food. Consumers depend on others for their food requirements. The primary consumer depends directly on the producers for its existence while the secondary consumer depends on the primary consumer for its existence.

C) Decomposer: decomposers are microscopic living organisms. Decomposers consist of two classes of organisms: bacteria and fungi. Dead plants and animals undergo decay. Complex organic compounds are broken down into inorganic compounds. This decomposition process is brought about by decomposers. Inorganic compounds are reused by the plants. Decomposers are an important source of food for organisms such as worms and insects living in the soil and water.