So basically, these organisms would be interdependent, and energy is transferred from one organism to another mainly through feeding. And as we all know, the Sun is the main source of energy for Earth, and solar energy from the Sun is absorbed by plants, which are producers, and passed on to other organisms as chemical energy. Most of this energy is eventually lost as heat, and this energy flow is non cyclical.
Abiotic Environment
First of all, my Science teacher had gave us an in-depth explanation about the abiotic factors which influence the livelihood of organisms in a community or ecosystem.
- I had learned that the temperature and the pH would be an influencing factor, as they affect the proper functioning of enzymes. Also, extreme temperatures and pH levels disrupt the hydrophobic, hydrophilic, and ionic interactions in enzymes, causing them to lose shape and functionality.
- Next, I was taught that the amount of oxygen context is also an important factor. This is because oxygen is required for aerobic respiration by all organisms, and a lack of oxygen would slow down metabolism.
- Following this, the humidity of an environment is also impacting. A high humidity would slow down the rate of transpiration in plants but is also critical to the survival of epiphytes and organisms living in arid places.
- Another important factor would be the availability and amount of water. This is because water content affects the number and locations of flora and fauna. This is dependent on the rain pattern.
- The wave action also is another factor. Greater wave action would prevent marine organisms from settling down and feeding.
- The wind speed of the environment is another important factor. High wind speeds might break the stems of certain plant species and might also dissipate humidity.
- Next, the light intensity is an influencing factor as well. A low light intensity would adversely affect plant growth, but high light intensity might instead bleach chlorophyll and impairs the ability of plants to photosynthesize.
- The following factor that affects life in an ecosystem is the salinity level. The salinity level affects the osmotic balance in many aquatic animals and coastal plant species.
- Lastly, the type of substratum also influences life a community. A clayey, sandy or rocky substratum would influence the ability of plants and sessile organisms to anchor themselves.
Biotic Environment
I also was taught about the biotic factors which arise from interactions between organisms. The outcomes of these interaction might increase, decrease, or make no difference to the ability to grow, survive and other benefits to the fitness of either or both organisms. There are 5 different kinds of biotic factors which can positively or adversely affect organisms.
- Mutualism is when both organisms depend on each other and gain benefits from doing so. An example would be the relationship between sea anemones and clownfish. The sea anemones provide clownfish with protection from predators, as normal fish cannot tolerate the stings from the anemones' tentacles but clownfish have a layer of mucus on their body which helps them to be unaffected by the anemones. In return, the clownfish help to eat up the symbiotic algae which is found on the sea anemones' tentacles.
- Commensalism is when one organism depends on another to gain benefits, however the other organism is neutral. For instance, mosses are plants which have a commensal relationship with trees. They usually grow on the trunks and branches of trees, where they get sufficient sunlight and nutrients. As long as they do not grow too heavy, the trees are not affected.
- Exploitative relationships such as predation, parasitism, and herbivory is when one organism benefits, while the other is adversely affected. An example of predation is the relationship between snakes and rabbits, where snakes prey on rabbits, and benefit while the rabbits decrease in population and are adversely affected. As for parasitism, an obvious example would be fleas living on a dog, where the fleas live off the blood of the dog and this affects the dog's health. As for herbivory, an example would be cows which graze on grass, and gains benefits while the grass is eaten and impacted negatively.
- Competition is when both organisms are negatively affected. An example would be competition between snakes and eagles, which have same feeding habits. They have to compete over food, which affects both of them negatively.
- Ammensalism is when one organism negatively impacts another, but does not gain any benefits or is affected in any way. An example is that an algae bloom in a pond will result in the death of many species of fish, however the algae does not benefit or get impacted in any way whatsoever.
