ECOSYSTEM (Part-II)

The ecosystem is a composition made up of biotic and abiotic components. For example, plants and animals are biotic or abiotic components, whereas soil, air, sunlight, water, heat, organic and inorganic substances, etc., are biotic or abiotic components.

The abiotic environment refers to the non-living components of an ecosystem, including the physical and chemical factors such as temperature, sunlight, water, air, soil, and nutrients that shape the environment and influence the survival and distribution of living organisms. These factors interact with each other and with living organisms to create the conditions necessary for life to exist in a particular habitat.

Human excreta, animal waste, urea, pesticides, weed killers, rotten parts of fruits and vegetables, etc., are substances found in the form of organic impurities in sewage. It is worth noting that different types of carbohydrates are found in fruits and vegetables. Therefore, carbohydrates are also found in small quantities in sewage.

Dissolved Oxygen in rivers and other water bodies is the source of oxygen for aquatic animals. Water in which dissolved oxygen is more than five ppm (5 parts per million) is suitable for aquatic organisms. If oxygen is less than two ppm, it is not suitable.

Lead chromate, which is toxic and carcinogenic, is used for the adulteration of turmeric powder.

A habitat is an ecological or environmental area for the living of plants or organisms or other organisms of a particular species. It is the natural environment in which an organism lives and affects this environment not only by its presence but also by using its resources for its living.

A habitat is a place where an organism makes its home. A habitat meets all the environmental conditions an organism needs to survive. For an animal, that means everything it needs to find and gather food, select mates, and successfully reproduce.

A species of grass named Hubbardia heptaneuron is on the verge of extinction due to its insensitivity towards the environment. At least 10 percent of India's recorded wild flora and 20 percent of its mammals are on the threatened list. Many of the flora and fauna on the threatened list would now be categorized as critical, like the cheetah, pink-headed duck, mountain quail, forest spotted owlet, and plants like madhuca insignis (a wild variety of mahua) and hubbardia heptaneuron (a species of grass).

Pineapple is a xerophyte plant. These are monocotyledonous plants, which grow up to 1.5 meters in height. These plants grow in dry places. Plants like Hawthorn, Coccoloba, etc., also come under these.

Plants that grow in salty water are called "Halophytes." Plants growing in desert areas are often found to be dioecious, and in areas with high insolation, they are found to be heterotrophic.