Question

Read the given statements on the ecosystem and choose the appropriate option.
(a) Cycling of matter takes place between biotic and abiotic components.
(b) The ecosystem can overcome forces that tend to disturb the balance of the ecosystem.
(c) The ecosystem maintains a functional balance or relatively stable state of equilibrium among its various components.

• A. Only (a) and (b) are correct
• B. Only (b) and (c) are correct
• C. Only (a) and (c) are correct
• D. All (a), (b), and (c) are correct

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Abiotic components: The non-living factors or the physical environmental factors such as climatic, edaphic, or topographic factors prevailing in an ecosystem constitute the abiotic components.
Biotic components: All living organisms such as plants, animals, and microorganisms that are present in the environment constitute the biotic components of the ecosystem.
Circulation or exchange of nutrient elements between the living and non-living components of an ecosystem is called a nutrient cycle or biogeochemical cycle (at a global scale).
The soil has nutrients as a standing state, they are picked by producers and made part of organic matter. From producers, the nutrients in the form of organic matter, pass to the higher trophic level. They are released back to abiotic environment by decomposers acting on organic wastes and dead bodies of organisms. In this way, the same nutrients repeatedly move through living and non-living components of the ecosystem.
An ecosystem maintains a functional balance amongst its various components. This phenomenon is called homeostasis. A functioning ecosystem is one that exhibits biological and chemical activities, rates of plant production, the flow of energy, carbon storage and nutrient cycling that are characteristic of most forests. The homeostasis or balance of nature is maintained through some control systems like carrying capacity of the ecosystem, the capacity of an ecosystem to recycle the wastes, feedback system etc.
Ecological equilibrium is a concept used to characterize the equilibrium between living organisms including humans, plants, animals and their climate. This balance is therefore very necessary because it ensures the sustainability, life and stability of the environment. An ecosystem that has more biodiversity is capable of overcoming the imbalance created due to higher productivity as compared to the ecosystem with lower productivity.