ecosystem by sanket
TRANSCRIPT
-
8/4/2019 Ecosystem by Sanket
1/12
Ecosystems
Sanket Jadhav [T.E. EXTC] 1
Introduction:
An ecosystem can be defined as 'a structural and functional unit of biosphere or segment of
nature consisting of community of living beings and the physical environment, both interacting and
exchanging materials between them'.
Ecosystems are dynamic entities composed of the biological community and the abiotic
environment. An ecosystem's abiotic and biotic composition and structure is determined by the state
of a number of interrelated environmental factors. Changes in any of these factors will result indynamic changes to the nature of these systems. For example, a fire in the temperate deciduous forest
completely changes the structure of that system. There are no longer any large trees, most of the
mosses, herbs, and shrubs that occupy the forest floor are gone, and the nutrients that were stored in
the biomass are quickly released into the soil, atmosphere and hydrologic system. After a short time
of recovery, the community that was once large mature trees now becomes a community of grasses,
herbaceous species, and tree seedlings.
The simplest level of organization in Ecosystem is that of the organism. An organism refers
to a particular organism in an ecosystem, say cat, dog etc. A population includes all the members of
the same organism that live in one place at one time. All the different populations that live in aparticular area make up a community. The physical location of a Community is called the habitat.
Ecosystem is in turn a level of organization and has one higher level of organization called
biosphere. The photograph on the next page derived from a foreign ecology book would clearly
illustrate the various levels of organization.
The diversity of an ecosystem is a measure of the number of different species there, and how
common each species is. Ecosystems are very complex. They can contain hundreds or even
thousands of interacting species. Each organism or species in the community has a role or profession
in that community and in ecology this is the organisms niche.
-
8/4/2019 Ecosystem by Sanket
2/12
Ecosystems
Sanket Jadhav [T.E. EXTC] 2
Classification of Ecosystem:
An ecosystem can be classified as below
There are further classifications in the above chart, but for a beginner level, it is enough to
concentrate on these areas. Also the study of artificial ecosystem is not the scope of an
environmental scientist. The environmentalists deal with natural creations and management only.
Moreover the system in artificial ecosystem does not offer much to study. Therefore we are more
interested in natural ecosystem and dont consider artificial ecosystem
Approach to Ecosystem:
With an ecosystem comprising of large number ofspecies, it would seem and is impractical
to study the interaction of each organism with another, it is impossible to approach an ecosystem by
studying the individual organism environment relationship. Therefore we study an ecosystem
following a wholesome approach.
We study the ecosystems by studying the two aspects (attributes) of an ecosystem. They are
Structure or Architectural Process
Function or Working Process
Both processes help to understand the concept of ecosystem in simplified manner.
The architectural process classifies ecosystem into biotic and abiotic components while the
working process help to understand the interaction of ecosystem components at different levels.
Let us understand more about these approaches to understand Ecosystem.
ECOSYSTEM
NATURAL ECOSYSTEM ARTIFICIAL ECOSYSTEM
TERRESTRIAL
ECOSYSTEM
Forests
Grasslands
Deserts
AQUATIC
ECOSYSTEM
Fresh Waters
Marine Waters
-
8/4/2019 Ecosystem by Sanket
3/12
Ecosystems
Sanket Jadhav [T.E. EXTC] 3
STRUCTURE OF AN ECOSYSTEM
By Architecture or Structure of an Ecosystem, we mean
The composition of biological community including species, numbers, biomass, life
history and distribution in space, etc.
The quantity and distribution of non living materials like nutrients, water etc.
The conditions of existence such as temperature, light etc.
An ecosystem possesses both living components and biotic factors and nonliving or abiotic
factors.
The nonliving factors, called abiotic factors, are physical and chemical characteristics of the
environment. They include solar energy (amount of sun light), oxygen, CO2, water, temperature,
humidity, ph, and availability of nitrogen.
The living components of the environment are called Biotic Factors. They include all the
Living Things that affect an organism. Biotic Components are often categorized as Producers,
Consumers, and Decomposer.
The structure of an ecosystem can be represented as below:
ECOSYSTEM
ABIOTIC COMPONENTS BIOTIC COMPONENTS
CLIMATIC
FACTORS
E.g. Rain
LightWind
Temp.
EDAPHIC
FACTORS
E.g. Soil
MineralsOxygen
Topography
PRODUCERS
also known as
autotrophs,
they produceenergy
CONSUMERS
also known as
heterotrophs,
they consumeand transfer
energy
DECOMPOSERS
better known as
reducers or
saptrotrophsrecycle energy
-
8/4/2019 Ecosystem by Sanket
4/12
Ecosystems
Sanket Jadhav [T.E. EXTC] 4
FUNCTION OF AN ECOSYSTEM
The function of an ecosystem is a broad, vast and often confused topic. The function of an
ecosystem can be best studied by understanding the history of ecological studies. The function of an
ecosystem can be studied under the three heads.
1. Trophic Level Interaction
2. Ecological Succession
3. Biogeochemistry
Trophic Level Interaction deals with how the members of an ecosystem are connected based
on nutritional needs. Ecological Succession deals with the changes in features/members of an
ecosystem over a period of time. Biogeochemistry is focused upon the cycling of essential materials
in an ecosystem.
Trophic Level Interaction was developed by zoologist Charles Elton. It deals with who eats
who and is eaten by whom in an ecosystem. The study of trophic level interaction in an ecosystem
gives us an idea about the energy flow through the ecosystem.
The trophic level interaction involves three concepts namely
1. Food Chain
2. Food Web
3. Ecological Pyramids
Food Chain:
In an ecosystem one can observe the transfer or flow of energy from one trophic level to other in
succession. A trophic level can be defined as the number of links by which it is separated from the
producer, or as the position of the organism in the food chain. The patterns of eating and being eaten
forms a linear chain called food chain which can always be traced back to the producers. Thus,
primary producers trap radiant energy of sun and transfer that to chemical or potential energy oforganic compounds such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
When an herbivore animal eats a plant (or when bacteria decompose it) and these organic
compounds are oxidized, the energy liberated is just equal to the amount of energy used in
synthesizing the substances (first law of thermodynamics), but some of the energy is heat and not
useful energy (second law of thermodynamics). If this animal, in rum, is eaten by another one, along
with transfer of energy from a herbivore to carnivore a further decrease in useful energy occurs as
the second animal (carnivore) oxidizes the organic substances of the first (herbivore or omnivore) to
liberate energy to synthesize its own cellular constituents. Such transfer of energy from organism to
organism sustains the ecosystem and when energy is transferred from individual to individual in a
-
8/4/2019 Ecosystem by Sanket
5/12
Ecosystems
Sanket Jadhav [T.E. EXTC] 5
particular community, as in a pond or a lake or a river, we come across the food chains. The number
of steps in a food chain is always restricted to four or five, since the energy available decreases with
each step. Many direct or indirect methods are employed to study food chain relationships in nature.
They include gut content analysis, use of radioactive isotopes, precipitin test, etc.
A food chain always begins with the producer and follows the flow of energy through severallevels of consumers. The first order consumers are herbivores who consume producers.
The second order consumer feed on the first order consumers, etc.
In nature, basically two types of food chains arc recognized grazing food chain and
detritus food chain.
Grazing food chain: This type of food chain starts from the living green plants goes to grazing
herbivores and on to the carnivores. Ecosystems with such type of food chain are directly dependent
on an influx of solar radiation. Most of the ecosystems in nature follow this type of food chain.
-
8/4/2019 Ecosystem by Sanket
6/12
Ecosystems
Sanket Jadhav [T.E. EXTC] 6
Detritus food chain: The organic wastes, exudates and dead matter derived from the grazing
food chain are generally termed detritus. The energy contained in this detritus in not lost to the
ecosystem as a whole; rather it serves as the source of energy for a group of organisms (Detritivores)
that are separate from the grazing food chain, and generally termed as the detritus food chain
Significance of food chain: The food chain studies/help under stand the feeding relationships
and the interaction between organisms in any ecosystem. They also help us to appreciate the energy
flow mechanism and matter circulation in eco- system, and understand the movement of toxic
substances in the eco-system and the problem of biological magnification
Food Web:
In nature simple food chains occur rarely the same organism may operate in the ecosystem at
more than one trophic level i.e it may derive its food from more than one source. Even the sameorganism may be eaten by several organisms of a higher trophic level or an organism may feed upon
several different organisms of a lower trophic level. Usually the kind of food changes with the age of
the organism and the food availability. Thus in a given ecosystem various food chains are linked
together and interested each other to form a complex network called food Web. Generally food webs
are not too complex. Expect in insect communities, omnivores are scare and when they occur they
usually feed on species in adjacent trophic levels. Within habitats, food webs arc rarely broken up
into discrete compartments. The number of species of predators in a food web typically exceeds the
number of species of prey by an average of 1.3 predator species per prey species.
A more complex food web. Notice that all organisms have arrows connecting to the decomposers.
-
8/4/2019 Ecosystem by Sanket
7/12
Ecosystems
Sanket Jadhav [T.E. EXTC] 7
Ecological Pyramids:
Another model, of energy flow through an ecosystem is the trophic pyramid. The purpose of
a trophic pyramid is to graphically represent the distribution of biomass or energy among the
different trophic levels of the ecosystem. A trophic level is the position of an organism in an
ecosystem (producer, first order consumer, etc). A pyramid is used as the model because it shows the
decrease in energy available as you go through a food web. The availability of energy decreases as
you travel up the pyramid because only 10% of energy absorbed becomes stored energy (available to
transfer). The other 90% of energy is mostly lost as heat from metabolic processes and maintenance
of daily life functions.
A typical trophic pyramid showing the decrease in energy available as movefrom one level to the next.
In the successive steps of food chain the number and mass of the organisms in each step is
limited by the amount of energy available. Since some energy is lost as heat, in each transformation
the steps become progressively smaller near the top. This relationship is sometimes called ecological
pyramid. The ecological pyramids represent the trophic structure and also trophic function of the
ecosystem. In many ecological pyramids, the producer form the base and the successive trophic
levels make up the apex.
-
8/4/2019 Ecosystem by Sanket
8/12
Ecosystems
Sanket Jadhav [T.E. EXTC] 8
Energy Flow in the Ecosystem:
Energy flows through an ecosystem and is ultimately lost to the environment. Matter, on the
other hand, is recycled. Matter is finite. If matter was not cycled through the ecosystem, the supply
would have been exhausted a long time ago. A simple matter cycle consists of an exchange of matterbetween living and non-living components of an ecosystem. Organisms incorporate various elements
(compounds) from the environment into their bodies. When these organisms die, their bodies are
broken down by decomposers and the compounds are released into the environment.
Water Cycle:
The Water Cycle
The water cycle, also called the hydrologic cycle, follows the continuous path of water.
Water enters the vapor phase through evaporation and transpiration (the release of water vapor from
plants and animals). The sun is the main source of energy that allows the water to undergo a phase
change. The water vapor raises, cools, and condenses forming clouds. The water droplets become
heavier and eventually fall as precipitation. A small portion of the precipitation will be taken up by
the plants and animals more will infiltrate the soil, entering the water table, with the largest portion
of the precipitation forming runoff on the surface of the land to drain into streams, rivers, lakes, and
ultimately the ocean. The hydrologic cycle is a continuous process that recycles all the water on the
planet.
-
8/4/2019 Ecosystem by Sanket
9/12
Ecosystems
Sanket Jadhav [T.E. EXTC] 9
Carbon Cycle:
The Carbon Cycle
Carbon dioxide makes up only 0.03% of the atmosphere but is the major source of carbon for
additional biomass. Carbon dioxide is converted to organic carbon by photosynthesis in green plants.
Organic carbon is then available to travel through the food web to eventually be released back to the
atmosphere by cellular respiration and decomposition. Fossil Fuels are another link in the carbon
cycle. Organic carbon has been trapped underground for millions of years in the form of coal, oil,
and natural gas. This carbon, in the form of carbon dioxide, is released back to the atmosphere by the
burning of fossil fuels. Carbon dioxide that is dissolved in the ocean can be absorb by animals and
temporarily trapped in their skeletons and shells. It should be noted that humans are altering the
carbon cycle with the increased use of fossil fuels.
-
8/4/2019 Ecosystem by Sanket
10/12
Ecosystems
Sanket Jadhav [T.E. EXTC] 10
Nitrogen Cycle:
The Nitrogen Cycle
Nitrogen comprises approximately 80% of the atmosphere but is not accessible to most life
forms. It must be fixed before it can be absorbed. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria are responsible for
converting atmospheric nitrogen into its ionic form, ammonium. Ammonium is converted to nitrites
and nitrates. Plants can access this nitrate. However, animals must get their nitrogen from the food
that they eat. Thus, nitrogen flows through the food web much like carbon. Nitrogen is returned back
to the atmosphere through decomposers and then denitrifying bacteria.
-
8/4/2019 Ecosystem by Sanket
11/12
Ecosystems
Sanket Jadhav [T.E. EXTC] 11
Oxygen Cycle:
The Oxygen Cycle
The oxygen cycle is very similar to the carbon cycle, but in reverse. Oxygen comprises
approximately 20% of the atmosphere. Oxygen is removed from the atmosphere through cellular
respiration and returned to the atmosphere by photosynthesis. Large amounts of oxygen are dissolved
in large bodies of water.
-
8/4/2019 Ecosystem by Sanket
12/12
Ecosystems
Sanket Jadhav [T.E. EXTC] 12
Ecological Imbalance - Imperiling the Ecosystem:
With the increased industrialization and scientific approach to our life, the natural resources
and rich natural heritage which were being preserved for centuries have begun dwindling greatly.
Any kind of imbalance in nature results into severe danger to our ecosystem.
Its treatment with nature has posed today many serious challenges and problems like climate
change, vector-borne disease, decay in wildlife and its resources and food and water shortage.
Exploitation of natural resources prevalent all over the world has erupted into severe ecological
degradation, which is definitely the biggest threat to proper functioning of our ecosystem.
Biodiversity & Ecosystem Conservation:
Biodiversity and ecosystems sustain each other. They are the living natural capital on which
human beings, as one species among others, depend for existence and well-being. Biodiversity and
ecosystems are the natural basis for the development of sustainable resource uses, including forestry,
farms, renewable energy, urban land use, fisheries and other coastal & marine uses.
Proactive programs to conserve biodiversity include research and management for wild
populations and habitats, protected areas, large ecosystems such as Great Lakes, grasslands, forests,wetlands, deserts, major rivers and estuaries, oceans, and more sustainable resource practices. They
also include planning, monitoring and enforcement related to land, sea and resource uses,
environmental assessment, pollution and species at risk.
The need for conservation action is urgent, nationally and globally. The last two centuries
have seen increasing rates of depletion of natural capital, with resulting changes increasingly evident
even at global levels, such as climate change, large ecosystem fragmentation and degradation, and
species extinctions. There is now a higher level of multilateral and national fora and talk for
conservation, but the negative momentum is as yet only barely affected.