Ecosystems: Intro to ecosystems

Ecosystems are diverse. In this entry, we will look through the basics of the ecosystem.

Components: An ecosystem has two layers, a place where the plants decompose and a place where they grow. The layer where plants decompose is soil/sand. The layer where they grow is above soil/sand.

An ecosystem is made up of the following:

• Water
• Sunlight
• Producers(eg: plants)
• Consumers(eg: animals)
• Decomposers(eg: fungi)
• Soil and rocks
• Climate
• Nutrients and minerals
• Energy(eg: the sun) 
• The food chain includes producers, primary, secondary and tertiary consumers, decomposers and the apex predator.

For example, in the African savanna the lion is the apex predator. The tall grass are producers. The zebra are primary consumers. The cheetah is a secondary consumer. Plants may not be eaten and will decompose and become food for the decomposers. All animals will eventually become food for decomposers. But the balance in predator and prey can be shaken easily. For example, if there are too many grazers then there will be overgrazing which will lead to not enough plants to support the ecosystem. Overgrazing is usually caused by humans. First they hunt down predators like crocodiles for there own uses. And they overhunt predators until they are very rare or extinct. Without any predators then grazers overgraze the land. With little plants left, they die and the soil is less fertile. Erosion occurs which can ultimately destroy the ecosystem.

Ecosystems that are still "young" are more focused on production. Ecosystems that are more developed are more focused on keeping themselves a flourishing ecosystem.

In short, an ecosystem is the mother of life, plants and animals adapt to it and help it continue to flourish in exchange for a chance to live.