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An ecosystem is a complex system that comprises of a biological community of organisms that interact with their physical environment. The abiotic factors of an ecosystem refer to the non-living components that contribute to the physical environment. These components include sunlight, minerals, soil, water and climate. The abiotic components usually determine the biotic components of an ecosystem. For example, in the dessert, temperatures are high, and water is scarce and therefore only certain plants (autotrophs) occur which in turn will lead to only certain primary and secondary consumers to occur in the area. The biotic factors of an ecosystem refer to the living components of the biological community within the ecosystem. These components include the organisms of the producer level, the primary consumer level, the secondary consumer level and decomposers.

The organisms of the producer level are referred to as autotrophs. Autotrophs are the driving force of the food cycle as they are able to synthesize their own food and also provide sustenance for other organisms by generating organic matter. Examples of autotrophs are the various plants that are present within an ecosystem. The organisms that cannot produce their own food (consumers) are referred to as heterotrophs. Heterotrophs can be divided into herbivorous, carnivorous and omnivorous consumers. Primary consumers are heterotrophs that feed on the producer level. An example of this, is a giraffe (primary consumer) feeding on a tree (autotroph/producer). Secondary consumers are heterotrophs that feed on the primary consumers. An example of this, is a pride of lions (secondary consumer) feeding on a giraffe (primary consumer). Decomposers comprise of bacteria, fungi and detritivores (termites, millipedes and termites) which feed on dead or decaying organisms and in turn converts them into carbon dioxide and nitrogen through chemical reactions. The decomposers are an essential part of an ecosystem as it recycles the nutrients that can later be taken up the producers.