Ecosystem

B.Com( c a )
Content
• Ecology • Decomposer
• Definetion of ecology • Example of ecosystem
• Types of ecology • Cyclce of energy
• Component of ecosystem • The two laws of Thermodynamics
• Abiotic and biotic • Energy flow in eco system
• Producers • Food chain
• Pyramid of number
Ecology
• Ecologists study many diverse and complex relations among species, such as predation and pollination.
The diversity of life is organized into different habitats, from terrestrial (middle) to aquatic ecosystems.
• Life processes, interactions, and adaptations
• The movement of materials and energy through living communities
• The successional development of ecosystems
• The abundance and distribution of organisms and biodiversity in the context of the environment.
• Ecology is not synonymous with environmentalism, natural history, or environmental science. It
overlaps with the closely related sciences of evolutionary biology, genetics, and ethology.
Definition of Ecology
• Our definition of ecology is:
The scientific study of the processes influencing the distribution and abundance of organisms, the interactions
among organisms, and the interactions between organisms and the transformation and flux of energy and matter.
• A starting focus on organisms, aggregations of organisms, or systems incorporating organisms or their by-products
• The bounding of ecology by both the biological and physical sciences
• The breadth of subject matters within ecology
• Depending on the ecological specialty, the focus can be on different proportions of biotic or abiotic aspects of nature
• The relationships between organisms and the physical world can be bidirectional, although different specialties may emphasize the
effect of the organisms (and systems containing them) on the physical world, or the effect of the physical world on the organisms
Types of Ecology
• Microbial Ecology. Microbial ecology looks at the smallest fundamental levels of life, that is,
the cellular level. ...
• Organism/Behavioural Ecology. ...
• Population Ecology. ...
• Community Ecology. ...
• Ecosystem Ecology. ...
• Global Ecology (Biosphere) ...
• It helps in environmental conservation. ...
• Ensures proper resource allocation.
Components of an Ecosystem
The ecosystem is largely divided into two functional components.
• Abiotic
• Biotic
Abiotic
• The abiotic component of the ecosystem refers to the physical environment
or the non-living factors. Examples of the abiotic component comprise the
soil, atmosphere, solar radiation and water. Abiotic factors greatly determine
the functions, distribution, structure, behavior and inter-relationship of
organisms in a habitat. Without the abiotic component, organisms cannot
live or survive. Some of the most essential elements for food production and
survival for both animals and plants like water and air are abiotic
components. The abiotic component is further divided into two that is; the
climatic factors and edaphic factors.
Biotic
• The biotic components of the ecosystems are the living
organisms including animals, plants and micro-organisms
(Fungi and Bacteria). The Biotic components are further
categorized into three based on their functions in the
ecosystem as producers, consumers, and reducers or
decomposers.
Producers
• Producers, also known as autotrophs, are
the green plants with chlorophyll which gives
them the ability to use solar energy to
manufacture their own food through a
process termed as photosynthesis.
• Consumers: Consumers are on the second level. Since they lack chlorophyll,
they depend on producers for food. Also known as heterotrophs, consumers are
additionally grouped into primary consumers, secondary consumers, tertiary
consumers, and quaternary consumers.
• Primary consumers: Also referred to as first order consumers or herbivores, the
animal species under this category primarily feeds on plants or primary
producers. Examples include zebras, goats, cattle, rabbits, grasshoppers, deer
etc.
• Secondary consumers: species under this category are also known as second
order consumers or primary carnivores. They mainly feed on herbivores and
examples here are rats, foxes etc.
• Tertiary consumers: Tertiary consumers are the third order consumers (large
carnivores) that feed on the secondary consumers. Examples are the wolves,
owls, snakes.
• Quaternary consumers: These are the last order consumers and they are
considered the largest carnivores. They feed on primary, secondary and tertiary
consumers and are not eaten by any other animal. They are animals with little or
without natural enemies. Examples are the tigers, cheaters, lions, hawks, polar
bears, alligators, sharks etc.
Decomposers
• Reducers also known as detrivores (such as worms, dung flies,
vultures and crabs) are responsible for breaking down dead organic
matter. Decomposers, also known as saprotrophs, are the fungi
and bacteria which finish the process by further breaking down the
dead remains of plants and animals into simple nutrients through
decomposition/biodegradation. The nutrients (byproducts of the
dead organic materials) are then used by producers resulting in
cyclic exchange of materials in the ecosystem.
Examples of an Ecosystem
• As defined earlier, ecosystems are interconnected and
stable systems that provides for the beneficial relationship
between the living and non-living things in the environment.
An ecosystem is therefore a natural self-sufficient unit and is
defined by the natural functions of both living and non-living
things which encompasses examples such as lakes, ponds,
deserts, forests, oceans, gardens and even our homes.
Lakes
Since the lake includes both biotic and abiotic things
interconnected with physical and chemical interactions, it
qualifies as an ecosystem. It is an example of a
stationary ecosystem as the enabling environment is
relatively still. Streams, rivers, ponds and oceans are
similarly included under this category and is part of the
aquatic ecology. The biotic components include fish,
bacteria, phytoplanktons and zooplanktons while the
abiotic factors include the water, light, and rocks
underneath the lake.
Deserts
• The desert is considered as an ecosystem because it has an ecology
characterized by both biotic and abiotic functions and processes in arid
areas. It includes both plant, animal, and bacterial populations and their
interaction with desert climate, air and soil. In desert ecosystems, both
plants and animals are specially adapted to withstand the harsh
prevailing conditions.
• Animals such as camels have evolved to store huge amounts of water in
their bodies to enable it survive even without drinking water for several
weeks. Plants such as cacti have their needle like shape leaves to reduce
transpiration. Cacti also have very thick stems for storing water
Forests
In the forest, there are many animal and plant species interacting with non-living
things. For example, precipitation and sun’s energy is taken up by the plants and used
for growth and then consumed by primary consumers (the herbivores). The primary
consumers are later preyed on by secondary consumers particularly the carnivores and
the system continue through simple and complex food web and food chain
respectively.
In the end, the dead materials are decomposed by decomposers (bacteria and
earthworms) where they are broken down into nutrients which are then again
absorbed by the plant roots and the cycle starts afresh.
Ponds
A pond refers to a small lake or a pool of water. Just like the lake, it qualifies as
an ecosystem because it contains both living and non-living things that depend
on each other for survival. For instance, there are various living microorganisms
in ponds that live in the ponds and are supported by the prevailing
environmental condition of the pond.
Birds, insects, amphibians and reptiles also feed and live within the pond
through simple and complex food web and food chains respectively. This makes
the pond to qualify as an ecosystem.
Oceans
The oceans have diverse range of natural components that enable its
continuity and the constant exchange of materials between living and non living
things. Aquatic animals such as fish obtain essential nutrients such as
phosphorous, nitrogen, oxygen and food from within the water. The same applies
to the plants living under water. The ocean ecosystems, also known as marine
ecosystems, are regarded as the most extensive of the planets ecosystems.
Accordingly, there are several other categories under ocean ecosystems
including the mangroves, deep sea habitats, the sea floor, estuaries, coral reefs,
and intertidal zones. Because of its extensiveness, ocean ecosystems often have
a wide range of biodiversity. The ocean’s Coral reefs, for instance, provide places
for shelter and food for thousands of marine fish and plants. Coral reefs also
serve as breeding grounds for the aquatic species.
Grasslands
Grasslands are ecosystems in temperate regions that do not get
so much rain as compared to other regions such as the tropical
rainforests. The interconnectedness of the rich soils of the grasslands
and the various animal and plant species depict it as a system formed
by the constant interaction of living organisms with their physical
environments. The grasslands supports animal species namely
buffalo, wolves, lions, zebras, and antelopes and plants species such
as wild oats, buffalo grass, foxtail, and needle grass.
Our homes and cities!
Our homes and cities are perfect examples of an ecosystem on the account
that we as humans depend on very many non-living things and even one another
to survive. Without the air in our atmosphere, we cannot breathe. Without the
buildings, we cannot have shelter and without the raw materials sourced from
earth, we wouldn’t be able to wear clothes, drive cars, get food or even function
the way we do. In short, our homes and cities provide an excellent example of the
ecosystem because we interact with other living and non-living things on a daily
basis.
• The cycle of energy is based on the flow of
energy through different trophic levels in an
ecosystem. ... 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.
 This energy flow is based on two important
Laws of Thermodynamics
(1) The first law of Thermodynamics:
It states that the amount of energy in the universe is constant. It may change from one form to another, but it can neither be
created nor destroyed. Light energy can be neither created nor destroyed as it passes through the atmosphere. It may, however,
be transformed into another type of energy, such as chemical energy or heat energy. These forms of energy cannot be
transformed into electromagnetic radiation.
(2) The second law of Thermodynamics:
It states that non-random energy (mechanical, chemical, radiant energy) cannot be changed without some degradation into heat
energy. The change of energy from one form to another takes place in such a way that a part of energy assumes waste form (heat
energy). In this way, after transformation the capacity of energy to perform work is decreased. Thus, energy flows from higher to
lower level.
Main source of energy is sun. Approximately 57% of sun energy is absorbed in the atmosphere and scattered in the space. Some
35% is spent to heat water and land areas and to evaporate water. Of the approximately 8% of light energy striking plant surface,
10% to 15% is reflected, 5% is transmitted and 80 to 85% is absorbed; and an average of only 2% (0.5 to 3.5%) of the total light
energy striking on a leaf is used in photosynthesis and rest is transformed into heat energy
Energy flow in Ecosystems
• Living organisms can use energy in two forms radiant and fixed energy. Radiant
energy is in the form of electromagnetic waves, such as light. Fixed energy is
potential chemical energy bound in various organic substances which can be broken
down in order to release their energy content.
• Organisms that can fix radiant energy utilizing inorganic substances to produce
organic molecules are called autotrophs. Organisms that cannot obtain energy from
abiotic source but depend on energy-rich organic molecules synthesized by
autotrophs are called heterotrophs. Those which obtain energy from living
organisms are called consumers and those which obtain energy from dead
organisms are called decomposers
• When the light energy falls on the green surfaces of plants, a part of it is
transformed into chemical energy which is stored in various organic
products in the plants. When the herbivores consume plants as food
and convert chemical energy accumulated in plant products into kinetic
energy, degradation of energy will occur through its conversion into
heat. When herbivores are consumed by carnivores of the first order
(secondary consumers) further degradation will occur. Similarly, when
primary carnivores are consumed by top carnivores, again energy will
be degraded.
Food Chain
• Food Chain:
• In the ecosystem, green plants alone are able to trap in solar energy and convert it into chemical energy. The chemical energy is locked up in the
various organic compounds, such as carbohydrates, fats and proteins, present in the green plants. Since virtually all other living organisms depend
upon green plants for their energy, the efficiency of plants in any given area in capturing solar energy sets the upper limit to long-term energy flow
and biological activity in the community.
• The food manufactured by the green plants is utilized by themselves and also by herbivores. Animals feed repeatedly. Herbivores fall prey to some
carnivorous animals. In this way one form of life supports the other form. Thus, food from one trophic level reaches to the other trophic level and in
this way a chain is established. This is known as 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. For example, marsh grass is
consumed by grasshopper, the grasshopper is consumed by a bird and that bird is consumed by hawk.
• Thus, a food chain is formed which can be written as follows:
• Marsh grass → grasshopper → bird → hawk
• Food chain in any ecosystem runs directly in which green plants are eaten by herbivores, herbivores are eaten by carnivores and carnivores are eaten
by top carnivores. Man forms the terrestrial links of many food chains.
• Food chains are of three
types:
• 1. Grazing food chain
• 2. Parasitic food chain
• 3. Saprophytic or detritus food
chain
• Grazing food chain:
• The grazing food chain starts from green plants and from autotrophs it goes to herbivores
(primary consumers) to primary carnivores (secondary consumers) and then to secondary
carnivores (tertiary consumers) and so on. The gross production of a green plant in an
ecosystem may meet three fates—it may be oxidized in respiration, it may be eaten by
herbivorous animals and after the death and decay of producers it may be utilized by
decomposers and converters and finally released into the environment. In herbivores the
assimilated food can be stored as carbohydrates, proteins and fats, and transformed into much
more complex organic molecules.
• The energy for these transformations is supplied through respiration. As in autotrophs, the
energy in herbivores also meets three routes respiration, decay of organic matter by microbes
and consumption by the carnivores. Likewise, when the secondary carnivores or tertiary
consumers eat primary carnivores, the total energy assimilated by primary carnivores or gross
tertiary production follows the same course and its disposition into respiration, decay and
further consumption by other carnivores is entirely similar to that of herbivores.
• Parasitic food chain:
• It goes from large organisms to smaller ones without outright killing as in the case of predator.
• 3. Detritus food chain:
• The dead organic remains including metabolic wastes and exudates derived from grazing food chain
are generally termed detritus. The energy contained in detritus is not lost in ecosystem as a whole,
rather it serves as a source of energy for a group of organisms called detritivores that are separate
from the grazing food chain. The food chain so formed is called detritus food chain
Food web
• Food web:
• Many food chains exist in an ecosystem, but as a matter of fact these food chains are
not independent. In ecosystem, one organism does not depend wholly on another.
The resources are shared specially at the beginning of the chain. The marsh plants are
eaten by variety of insects, birds, mammals and fishes and some of the animals are
eaten by several predators.
• Similarly, in the food chain grass → mouse → snakes → owls, sometimes mice are not
eaten by snakes but directly by owls. This type of interrelationship interlinks the
individuals of the whole community. In this way, food chains become interlinked. 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
Pyramid of number
• Pyramid of numbers:
• It depicts the numbers of individuals in producers and in different orders of
consumers in an ecosystem. The base of pyramid is represented by producers which
are the most abundant. In the successive levels of consumers, the number of
organisms goes on decreasing rapidly until there are a few carnivores.
• The pyramid of numbers of an ecosystem indicates that the producers are ingested
in large numbers by smaller numbers of primary consumers. These primary
consumers are eaten by relatively smaller number of secondary consumers and these
secondary consumers, in turn, are consumed by only a few tertiary consumers
Conclusion