ABDULNASSER HADJIHAMID

1. Illustrate and discuss the levels of organization of ecology.

2. Give and substantially discuss the types of ecosystem.

 Natural Ecosystem is purely natural and their formations are not in any way
influenced by human activity. Example: Amazon Forest.
 Artificial Ecosystem is a human made system of plants, animals, and people
living in an area together with their surroundings. Zoos, aquariums, and botanical
gardens are examples of artificial ecosystems.

3. What are the different aspects of ecosystem? Discuss each.

 Structural aspect is an aspect of the ecosystem that includes the composition of

biological community, the quantity and distribution of non-living materials and the
conditions of existence like temperature and light.
 Functional aspect includes the rate of energy flow and material cycles, and the
Biological regulation.
 Abiotic components include inorganic and organic substances.
 Biotic components are the trophic structure of ecosystem.
 Autotrophic uses light energy to make food, they are also known as producers.
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 Heterotrophic is responsible in decomposition, it is also known as consumers.

 Macro consumer fed on other organic and particulate organic matter. It includes
herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores.
 Micro consumers are microscopic organisms. It breaks down complex compound
and releases inorganic nutrients into the environment.

4. Discuss and differentiate grazing food chain from detritus food chain.

A grazing food chain is usually larger compared to the detritus food chain. Detritus food
chain is usually smaller compared to the grazing food chain. Grazing food
chain releases energy into the ecosystem. Detritus food chain utilizes energy from the
ecosystem.

5. Differentiate through illustration food chain and food web.

6. For species interactions within ecological webs, give the types of interactions as well
as their nature of interaction.

 Neutralism – neither population affects the other.

 Competition (direct interference) – direct inhibition of each species by the other.
 Competition (resource use type) – indirect inhibition when common resource is in
short-suppy.
 Amensalism – population 1 inhibited, 2 not affected.
 Parasitism – population 1 (parasites) < population 2 (host)
 Predation – population 1 (predator) > population 2 (prey)
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 Commensalism – population 1 (commensal) benefits, population 2 (host) not

affected.
 Protocooperation – interaction favourable to both but not obligatory.
 Mutualism – interaction favourable to both but obligatory.