Interactions Among the Components of Agro-Ecosystem in Some Settings

The biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem lead to the formation of a stable community, and this can be examined under the following headings:

1. Mono-Cropping or Sole-Cropping:

This is a system of cropping where one type of crop is grown on a farm, year after year on the same land.

The interaction between Biotic and Abiotic Factors in the Mono-Cropping Environment:

• Crop plants absorb nutrients from the soil.
• Crop plants also absorb water to grow and produce fruits.
• Crop plants release oxygen to the atmosphere during respiration.
• Crop plants absorb carbon dioxide from the air to carry out photosynthesisPhotosynthesis is the process by which green plants, and some algae and bacteria, convert the energy of sunlight into chemical energy. This energy is then used to synthesize carbohydrates such as... More in the soil.

Some organisms in the soil like rodents, and earthworms also aid water percolationPercolation is the downward movement of water through soil layers due to gravity and capillary forces. More.

2. Mixed Cropping System:

Mixed Cropping is the growing of two or more crops on the same piece of land at the same time (simultaneously) during the same season. Maize, Cassava and Cowpea can be cultivated together.

Interaction between the Biotic and Abiotic Factors in the Mixed Cropping Environment:

• Crops like cowpeas are capable of adding nutrients to the soil.
• Crop plants like cassava obtain nutrients from the soil to grow and produce fruits
• Oxygen is also released into the atmosphere by the crop plants during photosynthesis.
• Carbon dioxide from the air is absorbed by the crop plants to manufacture their food through the process of photosynthesis.
• Farm animals can feed on these crops and release dung on the ground which later decay to release nutrients to the soil.

3. Mixed Farming:

Mixed Farming is the cultivation of crops and rearing of animals at the same time on the same farm.

The farm can be divided into two parts:

a. for growing plant crops.
b. for growing grasses and legumesA legume is any plant that bears its fruit inside a pod. Legume is an umbrella term that includes beans and pulses. Thus, all beans are considered a legumes, but not... More mainly for livestock feeding.

Interaction between Biotic and Abiotic Factors in the Mixed Farming Environment:

• The remains of crops or grasses serve as food for the animals.
• Both animals and crops release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere during respiration.
• Some crops like cowpeas and crop residue may decay to release nutrients into the soil.
• The animal dung and droppings are used as organic manure to improve soil fertility for the crops
• Crop plants can also release oxygen into the atmosphere during the process of photosynthesis.

4. Aquatic Agro-Ecosystem (Fish Pond)

This is an aquatic environment where different fish species live, grow, produce and are harvested for food and other commercial purposes.

Interaction between Biotic and Abiotic Factors in the Fish Pond Environment:

• The fishes feed on the planktonsPlankton are microscopic organisms that live at and beneath the surface of lakes, rivers, ponds, and oceans across the planet. The word “plankton” comes from the Greek for “drifter” or “wanderer.”... More (zooplanktonsPhytoplankton and zooplankton are two types of plankton that are found in water. Phytoplankton are plants, while zooplankton are animals; this is the main difference between them. Larval crustaceans and krills... More and phytoplanktons) in the water as their source of food.
• The death of some fish serves as manure for the plankton in the water.
• Both plankton and fishes release carbon.
• Fish dung also provides a source of nutrients to the plankton in the water.
• The planktons also make use of sunlight during photosynthesis to manufacture their food.