5.1 ELEMENTS OF ECOSYSTEMS

An ecosystem includes all the living things and non living things in a specific area and the interaction that occurs between them.

Living things in an ecosystem are called biotic factors:

• plants (flora)
• animals (fauna)
• other organisms such as fungi and microoganisms

Organisms in the same area form groups. Those that belong to the same species are called  population.
Populations interact with each other and form a community. Populations also interact with environment.

The non-living components of an ecosystem are called abiotic factors:

• soil
• air
• water
• sunlight
• temperature
• climate

1. Look at the picture of the forest. 

1. Identify examples of flora and fauna.
2. Make a list of the populations you can see in the picture.
3. Name the non-living components of the forest above.