Okay, so it wouldn´t make sense to talk about ecosystems without knowing what is an ecosystem and the parts that form it. You probably know, but if I explain it the web page is more complete and there´s more content to it. BUT I´m not going to talk about hamsters, sorry. The work isn´t about that, so writing about hamsters exclusively would be a waste of time. Well, let´s start with a simple definition of an ecosystem:
An ecosystem is a biological community with organisms interacting with each other and with the environment they´re in.
So an ecosystem isn´t just the environment the organisms are in. The organisms are a part of the ecosystem, a very important part, so important that its got a name: BIOCOENOSIS. The Biocoenosis is an association of different organisms that form a community. That´s one part. The other part is the area they live in, an area with a specific temperature and climatic conditions that makes possible the survival of different species who live in it. This part is called BIOTOPE. It´s very important to know this. Basically, the Biocoenosis is the community of living things inhabiting an area, and the Biotope is THAT area. End of story. You still don´t get it? You want an example? You have it.
An ecosystem is a biological community with organisms interacting with each other and with the environment they´re in.
So an ecosystem isn´t just the environment the organisms are in. The organisms are a part of the ecosystem, a very important part, so important that its got a name: BIOCOENOSIS. The Biocoenosis is an association of different organisms that form a community. That´s one part. The other part is the area they live in, an area with a specific temperature and climatic conditions that makes possible the survival of different species who live in it. This part is called BIOTOPE. It´s very important to know this. Basically, the Biocoenosis is the community of living things inhabiting an area, and the Biotope is THAT area. End of story. You still don´t get it? You want an example? You have it.
BIOTOPE BIOCOENOSIS
Do you get it now? Okay. Next thing. The interactions in the ecosystem... Or better known as the BIOTIC and ABIOTIC factors. You don´t know what that is? Well, in the next twenty seconds of reading, you´re going to know.
THE BIOTIC FACTORS: Simple. The biotic factors are every thing in an ecosystem that´s alive. Nothing more. A fox is a biotic factor. A tree is a biotic factor. A HAMSTER is a biotic factor. The wind, for example, IS NOT a biotic factor. Because wind isn´t alive.
THE ABIOTIC FACTORS: The opposite of the previous definition. Every factor in an ecosystem that isn´t alive. The wind, in this case, is an abiotic factor. The temperature is an abiotic factor. A hamster IS NOT an abiotic factor, because hamsters are alive... A DEAD hamster IS an abiotic factor, because it´s not alive.
These factors can influence each other. An abiotic factor can influence other biotic factors, for example, the amount of vegetation in an ecosystem will determine how many herbivore animals are there. It can also be done in the opposite way, a biotic factor that influences an abiotic factor. BUT since we have a lot to say, it´s best if we pass to the next thing.
THE BIOTIC FACTORS: Simple. The biotic factors are every thing in an ecosystem that´s alive. Nothing more. A fox is a biotic factor. A tree is a biotic factor. A HAMSTER is a biotic factor. The wind, for example, IS NOT a biotic factor. Because wind isn´t alive.
THE ABIOTIC FACTORS: The opposite of the previous definition. Every factor in an ecosystem that isn´t alive. The wind, in this case, is an abiotic factor. The temperature is an abiotic factor. A hamster IS NOT an abiotic factor, because hamsters are alive... A DEAD hamster IS an abiotic factor, because it´s not alive.
These factors can influence each other. An abiotic factor can influence other biotic factors, for example, the amount of vegetation in an ecosystem will determine how many herbivore animals are there. It can also be done in the opposite way, a biotic factor that influences an abiotic factor. BUT since we have a lot to say, it´s best if we pass to the next thing.
ADAPTATIONS. An adjustment in the body or behaviour of an organism to his environment. It´s easy to understand. This is not especially important for LIFE, but it is important to understand THIS WORK, so pay attention. There are two types:
ANATOMICAL ADAPTATIONS: Adaptations that occur in the physic of an organism to adapt to the circumstances. For example, the fact that cactus have spines instead of leaves to prevent water loss.
BEHAVIOURAL ADAPTATIONS: Adaptations that the organisms carry our by their own will. For example, some birds migrate in winter to escape low temperatures. Winter Is Coming.
Easy. Anatomical are involuntary, behavioural are voluntary. Nothing else and nothing more.
ANATOMICAL ADAPTATIONS: Adaptations that occur in the physic of an organism to adapt to the circumstances. For example, the fact that cactus have spines instead of leaves to prevent water loss.
BEHAVIOURAL ADAPTATIONS: Adaptations that the organisms carry our by their own will. For example, some birds migrate in winter to escape low temperatures. Winter Is Coming.
Easy. Anatomical are involuntary, behavioural are voluntary. Nothing else and nothing more.
Now to the hard part. The relationships between individuals of the Biocoenosis. This is... not hard, but long. Well, let´s start by saying there are two types of relationships: Intraspecific and Interspecific. Let´s define them...
INTRASPECIFIC RELATIONSHIPS: These are relationships that occur between individuals of the same species. Like a bird relating with another bird. Or an elephant relating with another elephant. Or a HAMSTER relating with another hamster. There are four types of this:
- FAMILY ASSOCIATIONS: Composed by individuals who are family. The name defines it well. The purpose of this is to reproduce and to care for their offspring.
- GREGARIOUS ASSOCIATIONS: Formed by individuals not NECESSARILY related to each other. They come together for a purpose like defending themselves or foraging for food.
- SOCIAL ASSOCIATIONS: I think the word "association" implies that they´re social, but meh, that´s how it´s called. They are made up of individuals that form a hierarchy and organise a division of labors.
- COLONIAL ASSOCIATIONS: Formed by individuals that have the same progenitor and remain together throughout their lives... BROTHERS, basically.
INTERSPECIFIC RELATIONSHIPS: These are relationships that occur between organisms of different species. These are complex. There are MANY, MANY types, and all of them have different purposes and outcomes. I´m going to put a few examples, but not ALL because there are... MANY.
- PREDATION: This is the easiest to understand. One individual wants to EAT another, so the prey runs and the predator chases chases it. One wins, the other loses. One lives, the other dies. Easy.
- COMMENSALISM: This is easy too. One individual benefits from other in a way that doesn´t affect the other. Like a vulture eating the remains of a dead animal. The vulture benefits and it doesn´t affect the other animal... Because it´s dead.
- COMPETITION: Exactly what it is. A competition. A battle. Commonly caused by two species that want to use the same resource. This time, both individuals come out injured of the relationship, so it´s bad for both of them. For example, a fight between two HAMSTERS. An example of PEDRATION
There are many more, but I decided to name these three. I think with these, you have an idea of the concept of Interspecific Relationships. And if you don´t... bad for you.
Well, I think now you have an idea of what is an ecosystem and what are its components. Now you´re ready to learn which are the different types of ecosystems, its respective characteristics, and... IF HAMSTERS CAN LIVE IN THEM, the most important thing of all. Okay, ready? Go there.
Well, I think now you have an idea of what is an ecosystem and what are its components. Now you´re ready to learn which are the different types of ecosystems, its respective characteristics, and... IF HAMSTERS CAN LIVE IN THEM, the most important thing of all. Okay, ready? Go there.