answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Ecosystems are composed of a variety of abiotic and biotic components that function in an interrelated fashion. Some of the more important components are: soil, atmosphere, radiation from the Sun, water, and living organisms.

Soils are much more complex than simple sediments. They contain a mixture of weathered rock fragments, highly altered soil mineral particles, organic matter, and living organisms. Soils provide nutrients, water, a home, and a structural growing medium for organisms. The vegetation found growing on top of a soil is closely linked to this component of an ecosystem through nutrient cycling.

The atmosphere provides organisms found within ecosystems with carbon dioxide for photosynthesis and oxygen for respiration. The processes of evaporation, transpiration, and precipitation cycle water between the atmosphere and the Earth's surface.

Solar radiation is used in ecosystems to heat the atmosphere and to evaporate and transpire water into the atmosphere. Sunlight is also necessary for photosynthesis. Photosynthesis provides the energy for plant growth and metabolism, and the organic food for other forms of life.

Most living tissue is composed of a very high percentage of water, up to and even exceeding 90%. The protoplasm of a very few cells can survive if their water content drops below 10%, and most are killed if it is less than 30-50%. Water is the medium by which mineral nutrients enter and are translocated in plants. It is also necessary for the maintenance of leaf turgidity and is required for photosynthetic chemical reactions. Plants and animals receive their water from the Earth's surface and soil. The original source of this water is precipitation from the atmosphere.

Ecosystems are composed of a variety of living organisms that can be classified as producers, consumers, or decomposers. Producers or autotrophs, are organisms that can manufacture the organic compounds they use as sources of energy and nutrients. Most producers are green plants that can manufacture their food through the process of photosynthesis. Consumers or heterotrophs get their energy and nutrients by feeding directly or indirectly on producers. We can distinguish two main types of consumers. Herbivores are consumers that eat plants for their energy and nutrients. Organisms that feed on herbivores are called carnivores. Carnivores can also consume other carnivores. Plants and animals supply organic matter to the soil system through shed tissues and death. Consumer organisms that feed on this organic matter, or detritus, are known as detritivores or decomposers. The organic matter that is consumed by the detritivores is eventually converted back into inorganic nutrients in the soil. These nutrients can then be used by plants for the production of organic compounds.
User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago

A self sustainable ecosystem is an ecosystem, that takes care of it self e.g. a fish tank would be an un-natural ecosystem since it is made. Not only is is made but also the fishes living their depend on we, the owners of the tank to feed them and clean their tank in order for them to survive. Thus such an ecosystem is comprised of interdependent organisms (plants,animals and insects) who would through a food chain create an energy flow.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

some thing that is able to sustain oneself or itself independently

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

primary producers ( autotrophs)......cycling?......constant source of energy??(sun) this is a Q on my AP bio summer work grrr and i dont get it rele either =(

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What must a ecosystem to contain to be self-sustaining?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

Does each ecosystem contain one habitat?

No because each animal has its one ecosystem


Does each ecosystem contain a habitat?

Yes. If you have an ecosystem you automatically know there is a habitat and community in it. It takes both to make an ecosystem. Hope I helped.


Words that contain the word stem?

Ecosystem, stemware, systematic.


What must start every ecosystem?

A producer


Describe why nitrogen must cycle through an ecosystem?

Nitrogen must be cycled through an ecosystem so that the nitrogen is available for organisms to make proteins.


What happens if statement must contain an?

The if statement must contain else.


Must a term contain a varible?

A term must contain a variable, for it to be relevant.


A plasma must contain many what?

A Plasma must contain many ions and electrons.


Does the water of marine ecosystem contain dissolved salt?

Most marine ecosystems do contain saltwater. Some bodies of water do contain freshwater, but they are not the majority.


To survive a ecosystem an organism must be what to the conditions found there?

a spoon


To recycle nutrients the minimum an ecosystem must have is?

producers, decomposers.. That's it


What is true for natural slection to happen?

Resources must be limited in the ecosystem.