ECOSYSTEM

Content

– What Is An Ecosystem
– Types
– Component
– Functions of an ecosystem
– Conservation of forest
– The Ten Global Threats to Ecosystem
Viability
– References
ECOSYSTEM

– The self-sustaining structural and functional

interaction between living and non-living
components.
What Is An Ecosystem

Ø An ecosystem is a natural unit consisting

of all plants, animals and micro-organisms
(biotic factors) in an area functioning
together with all of the non-living
physical (abiotic) factors of the
environment.
Types Of Ecosystem

ØNatural
1.Terrestrial ecosystems (grasslands, forests,
desert ecosystems)
2.Aquatic ecosystem
a. Lentic (Stagnant water) like lake, ponds
b. Lotic (Flowing water) like river, ocean.
ØArtificial
1.A crop land, garden, aquarium, park, kitchen
garden.
Components
ØAbiotic or Non-living components.
– 1. Inorganic substances
– 2. Organic compounds
– 3. Climatic factors
ØBiotic or Living components.
– 1. Autotrophs or Producers
– 2. Heterotrophs or Consumers
– 3. Decomposers or Saprotrophs
 Ecosystems

– Are broken down into two parts.

– Biotic = The living part of an ecosystem involve the
communities of organisms that live there.
– This includes the animals and plants of the ecosystem.
– Abiotic = The physical, non-living part.
– Includes an organism’s habitat = the physical makeup of
where it lives.
– Examples: the air (oxygen), water, rocks, sand, sunlight,
temperature, and climate.
 Ecosystems & Abiotic

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– Biotic factors are the living influences on life.

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 Ecosystems & Biotic Factors

– A community includes everything (all plants, animals, bugs etc.) that is alive in
a location,
– But not every ecosystem is the same when you look across the world.
– The differences are evidence in the diversity of life all across the Earth’s many
ecosystems.
– Meaning…that there is a great number of different types of organisms in any
one area.
– The measure of the variety of organisms in a given area determines the
ecosystem’s biodiversity.
Ecosystem Diversity = Biodiversity
– Biodiversity is an important aspect when studying
ecosystems.

– Tells how healthy and responsive an ecosystem is.

– The biodiversity of the ecosystem will determine how well

it responds to changing abiotic factors (such as
temperature and rainfall), as well as, natural and man-
made disasters (such as…?).

– Ecosystems with high biodiversity are better at responding

to change, therefore more resilient.

– This response is measured by how quickly life can return to

normal levels after a disaster.
 The Effects of Biodiversity.

– Systems with low biodiversity can be severely damaged easily.

– This is because of the low number of organisms to have offspring
(plants, food sources, prey, and predators alike).
– When biodiversity changes in any ecosystem, that ecosystem’s
health changes too.
– Regardless, an ecosystem will respond (when it can) in such a way
as to restore the ecosystem back to equilibrium & balance.
– The higher the biodiversity the easier it is to stay in equilibrium.
FUNCTIONS OF AN ECOSYSTEM

1. The Producers, the green plants, fix radiant

energy(solar energy) and with the help of
minerals take from their edaphic(soil where they
grow) or aerial environment and build up
complex organic matter.
2. The animals eat up plants and other animals as
food. So, the energy is transferred through food
to animals.
3. When plants and animals die, then
decomposers(like certain bacteria and fungi) act
on their dead bodies and decompose them into
simple materials like carbon dioxide, water and
minerals which go back to air, water bodies and
soil from where they were taken.
PROCESS OF FUNCTIONING
OF THE ECOSYSTEM

The carbon dioxide from air, water and

minerals from water bodies and soil are
again taken up by green plants along with
solar energy to make their food.
This process is repeated again and again. This
leads to continuous functioning of the
ecosystem.
ENERGY FLOW THROUGH
THE ECOSYSTEM
The transfer of energy and matter takes place in
the process of predator and prey relationship in a
food chain. The original source of energy is the
energy from the sun.
Out of the enormous amount of energy
continuously radiated by the sun, most of it is
reflected or refracted back (by atmosphere, earth
surface and object like plants). Only a very small
fraction, about one per cent, of the solar energy
received by the plant is used through the process
of photosynthesis.
Conservation of forest

Diversion of forest lands for other purposes

have to be prevented. Reckless cutting of
forests need to be checked.
Steps have to be taken to stop shifting
practice of cultivation.
Forest fire is another cause of forest
depletion which needs to be controlled
effectively. Afforestation has to be taken up
effectively.
Creating Awareness

Awareness about ecosystem conservation

can be done by posters, competitions
about ecosystem conservation, arranging
T.V. programmes and websites related to
ecosystems.
The Ten Global Threats to
Ecosystem Viability

1) Loss of crop & grazing land

2) Depletion of world's tropical forests
3) Extinction of species
4) Rapid population growth
5) Shortage of fresh water resources
6) Over fishing, habitat destruction, &
pollution in the marine environment.
7) Threats to human health
8) Climate change
9) Acid rain
10) Pressures on energy resources