Question

In a comparative study of the grassland ecosystem and pond ecosystem, it may be observed that.
(a) The abiotic components are almost similar
(b) The biotic components are almost similar
(c) Both biotic and abiotic components are different
(d) Primary and secondary consumers are similar

Answer 1

Hint: Every ecosystem comprises biotic and abiotic factors. The biotic factors include the living organisms and abiotic factors include non- living factors such as air, land water, etc. Both biotic and abiotic factors interact with each other in an ecosystem.

Complete Step by Step Answer:
An ecosystem is defined as the structural and functional unit of the environment where its members interact among themselves and with the environment they are living in. The biotic components of a pond ecosystem consist mainly of planktons, aquatic plants, and fishes. And abiotic components include water. Whereas in the case of a grassland ecosystem, biotic components include land animals and plants. And the abiotic components include air and grassland.

So, the correct option is ‘Both biotic and abiotic components are different’.

Additional information: Let us study more about ecosystems in general.
Every ecosystem comprises of 4 components:
- Productivity: The amount of biomass produced by the biotic members of an ecosystem is defined as its productivity.
- Decomposition: The dead and decaying substances of an ecosystem are broken down into simple forms by decomposers.
- Energy flow: There is a unidirectional flow of energy between the different trophic levels.
- Nutrient cycling: Nutrients of an ecosystem are never exhausted as they are constantly recycled back.

Note:
- Earth is considered as a composite ecosystem of all the local ecosystems present on it.
- There are also man- made ecosystems such as aquariums and crop fields.
- There is no fixed shape and size of an ecosystem. Its size can vary from as small as a pond to as large as an ocean.