The structure of ecosystems

Question 1

What does abiotic mean and what does it include?

Answer 1

The non-living, chemical and physical components of the ecosystem.
Climate - seasonal pattern of temperature and precipitation.
Soil characteristics.
Underlying parent rock.
Relief of the land.
Drainage characteristics.

Question 2

What are inputs?

Answer 2

Most important input is the energy from the sun - it drives the photosynthesis and enables plants to grow.
Others include animals that arrive from elsewhere, and water, transported into the ecosystem by precipitation/rivers.

Question 3

What are outputs?

Answer 3

Nutrients are transferred out of the system in a number of ways. Animals can physically move, water can move out in rivers, evapotranspiration, through flow and groundwater flow.

Question 4

What does biotic mean and what does it include?

Answer 4

The living environment:
Vegetation (living and decomposing).
Mammals, insects, birds and micro organisms.