Components of Ecosystem — Definition

Definition

Ecosystem components are the living organisms and non-living conditions whose interactions make an ecosystem function. Producers, consumers and decomposers connect through feeding and the processing of organic matter, while water, light, temperature and nutrients influence those processes.

The important feature is the relationship among components, not merely their presence in one place. A pond, for example, includes organisms, dissolved substances, sediments and an external energy supply.

A component list should not be confused with a food chain, which traces one transfer pathway. Nor should nutrient reuse be mistaken for endless recycling of usable energy: these are different features of ecosystem functioning.