In a pond ecosystem, match the component in List-I with what represen…

The correct answer is Option (3) → A-IV, B-III, C-II, D-I

A pond is a small, fairly self-sustaining ecosystem in which all the basic parts of an ecosystem can be seen: an abiotic part, autotrophs, consumers and decomposers.

(A) Abiotic component — this matches (IV) Water with dissolved substances and the rich soil deposit at the bottom. These are the non-living parts of the pond.

(B) Autotrophic components — this matches (III) Phytoplankton, some algae, and the floating, submerged and marginal plants. They make food by photosynthesis.

(C) Consumers — this matches (II) Zooplankton, and the free swimming and bottom dwelling forms. They depend on the autotrophs for food.

(D) Decomposers — this matches (I) Fungi, bacteria and flagellates, abundant in the bottom of the pond. They break down dead matter so that it can be used again by the autotrophs.

So the correct match is A-IV, B-III, C-II, D-I.

NCERT Extract:
Ecosystem – Structure and Function – “… The abiotic component is the water with all the dissolved inorganic and organic substances and the rich soil deposit at the bottom of the pond. The solar input, the cycle of temperature, day-length and other climatic conditions regulate the rate of function of the entire pond. The autotrophic components include the phytoplankton, some algae and the floating, submerged and marginal plants found at the edges. The consumers are represented by the zooplankton, the free swimming and bottom dwelling forms. The decomposers are the fungi, bacteria and flagellates especially abundant in the bottom of the pond.”