ECOSYSTEM PART-2

Presented by
Dr. Anubha Gupta
Faculty , S.S. in Commerce Vikram University
Useful for BBA(H)/B.COM(H)/M.COM and allied subject
FOOD CHAIN
A food chain may be defined as the transfer of energy and
nutrients through a succession of organisms through repeated
process of eating and being eaten. In food chain initial link is
a green plant or producer which produces chemical energy
available to consumers.
FOOD CHAIN
 food chain shows how each living thing gets its food. It
shows who is eating who. Marsh grass → grasshopper →
bird → hawk
FOOD CHAIN
 Example:
 grass in a forest clearing produces its own food through
photosynthesis. A rabbit eats the grass. A fox eats the rabbit.
When the fox dies, decomposers such as worms and
mushrooms break down its body, returning it to the soil
where it provides nutrients for plants like grass.
 This short food chain is one part of the forest's food web.
FOOD WEB
 A complex of interrelated food chains makes up a food web.
Food web maintains the stability of the ecosystem. The
greater the number of alternative pathways the more stable is
the community of living things.
FOOD WEB
ECOLOGICAL PYRAIMED

TERTIARY
CONSUMER

SECONDARY CONSUMER

PRIMARY CONSUMER

PRODUCERS
ECOLOGICAL PYRAIMED
 An ecological pyramid is a graphical representation of the
relationship between the different living organisms at
different trophic levels. It was given by G.Evylen Hutchinson
and Raymond Lindeman.
ENERGY FLOW IN ECOSYSTEM
 The cycle of energy is based on the flow of energy through
different trophic levels in an ecosystem.
TROPHIC LEVEL
 The producers and consumers in ecosystem can be arranged
into several feeding groups, each known as trophic level .
 producers represent the first trophic level, herbivores
present the second trophic level, primary carnivores
represent the third trophic level and top carnivores represent
the last level.
TROPHIC LEVEL
 At the first trophic level, primary producers use solar
energy to produce organic material through photosynthesis.
 The herbivores at the second trophic level, use the plants
as food which gives them energy. A large part of this energy
is used up for the metabolic functions of these animals such
as breathing, digesting food, supporting growth of tissues,
maintaining blood circulation and body temperature.
TROPHIC LEVEL
 The carnivores at the next trophic level, feed on the
herbivores and derive energy for their sustenance and
growth. If large predators are present, they represent still
higher trophic level and they feed on carnivores to get
energy. Thus, the different plants and animal species are
linked to one another through food chains.
 Decomposers which include bacteria, fungi, molds,
worms, and insects break down wastes and dead organisms,
and return the nutrients to the soil, which is then taken up by
the producers. Energy is not recycled during decomposition,
but it is released.
ENERGY FLOW IN ECOSYSTEM
ENERGY FLOW IN ECOSYSTEM
 Food chains do not have many levels. A lot of energy is lost
along the way. In fact, most of the energy is lost between
levels. Only about 10 percent of the energy is passed from
one level to the next. Where does that energy go?
 One of the biggest losses of energy is in the form of heat.
Think about your own body. It is usually warmer than the air
around you. When it is cold outside, you wear a coat to trap
in some of the heat you give off. All animals give off heat.
This energy is lost from the food chain. It will not get passed
along.
REFERENCE
 http://www.primaryhomeworkhelp.co.uk/
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_web
 .
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