Functions of Ecosystem

An ecosystem is a discrete structural, functional and life sustaining environmental system. The environmental system consists of biotic and abiotic components in a habitat. The synthesis and perpetuation processes involve energy exchange and this energy comes from the sun in the form of light or solar energy.

Thus, in any ecosystem, there are three functional components:

(i) Inorganic constituents (i.e., air, water and minerals)

(ii) Organisms (i.e., plants, animals and microbes), and

(iii) Energy input which enters from outside (i.e., sun).

These three interact and form an environmental system. Inorganic constituents are synthesized into organic structures by the green plants (primary producers) through photosynthesis and solar energy is utilized in the process. Green plants become the source of energy of renewals (herbivores) which, in turn become source of energy for the flesh eating animals (carnivores).

Animals, of all types grow and add organic matter to their body weight and their source of energy is complex organic compound taken as food. They are known as secondary producers. All the living organisms, whether plants or animals in an ecosystem have a definite life span after which they die.

The dead organic remains of plants and animals provide food for saprophytic microbes, such as bacteria, fungi, and many other animals. The saprobes ultimately decompose the organic structure and break the complex molecules and liberate the inorganic compounds into their environment. These organisms are known as decomposers.

During the process of decomposition of organic molecules the energy which kept the inorganic components bound together in the form of organic molecules gets liberated into the environment as heat energy. Thus, in an ecosystem energy from the sun, the input is fixed by the plants and transferred to animal components.

The ecosystems operating in different habitats, such as deserts, forests, grasslands and seas are interdependent on one another. The energy and nutrients of one way find their way into another, so that, ultimately all parts of the earth are interrelated, each comprising a part of the total system that keeps the biosphere functioning.

Thus, principal functions of ecosystems are as follows:

(i) Reception of radiant energy of sun.

(ii) Manufacture of organic materials from inorganic ones by producers.

(iii) Consumption of producers by consumers and further elaboration of consumed materials

(iv) After the death of producers and consumers, complex organic compounds are degraded and finally converted by decomposers and converters into such forms as are suitable for reutilization by producers.