Science Common Sense
689 - How do aquatic ecosystems function, and what are their key components?
Imagine a big lake or ocean as a community where lots of living things live together. This is called an aquatic ecosystem.
Here's how it works:
Plants (Producers): Aquatic plants like seaweed and water lilies make their own food from sunlight, water, and air. They are the base of the ecosystem.
Animals (Consumers): Fish, frogs, and other animals eat the plants or other animals. They rely on the plants for energy.
Decomposers (Breakers-downers): Bacteria and tiny animals break down dead plants and animals, turning them back into nutrients.
Water: Water is the home for all these living things. It also helps move nutrients and energy around the ecosystem.
The key components of an aquatic ecosystem are:
- Producers (plants)
- Consumers (animals)
- Decomposers (breakers-downers)
- Water (the home)
- Sunlight (energy source)
- Nutrients (food for plants and animals)
All these components work together to keep the aquatic ecosystem healthy and balanced.