ECOSYSTEM – DETAILED
EXAM-ORIENTED NOTES (JENPAS-UG
/ AIIMS Paramedical Level)
1. EcosYSTEM – BASIC CONCEPT (VERY HIGH
YIELD)
Ecosystem = Structural + functional unit of biosphere where biotic and abiotic components
interact through energy flow and nutrient cycling.
Functional unit → NOT just organisms, but interactions + processes.
Components
1. Abiotic – light, temperature, water, soil, minerals, pH
2. Biotic – producers, consumers, decomposers
2. TYPES OF ECOSYSTEM
A. Natural
• Terrestrial: Forest, Grassland, Desert, Tundra
• Aquatic:
o Freshwater: Pond, Lake, River
o Marine: Ocean, Estuary
B. Artificial
• Crop field, Aquarium, Garden
Artificial ecosystems are incomplete & unstable → require human maintenance.
3. STRUCTURE OF ECOSYSTEM (FAVORITE EXAM
AREA)
(A) PRODUCERS (Autotrophs)
• Green plants, algae, phytoplankton
• Perform photosynthesis
Only producers can trap solar energy.
(B) CONSUMERS (Heterotrophs)
Type Example
Primary Deer, Zooplankton
Secondary Frog, Small fish
Tertiary Snake, Large fish
Top consumer Hawk, Tiger
(C) DECOMPOSERS
• Bacteria, fungi
• Convert complex organic matter → inorganic nutrients
Decomposers act on dead remains, not living organisms.
4. FUNCTIONAL ASPECTS OF ECOSYSTEM (CORE
CONCEPT)
4.1 ENERGY FLOW (ONE-WAY)
• Sun → Producers → Consumers → Decomposers
• Unidirectional (NEVER cyclic)
10% LAW (LINDEMAN)
• Only ~10% energy is transferred to next trophic level
Explains:
• Short food chains
• Small biomass at higher trophic levels
5. FOOD RELATIONSHIPS (HIGH TRAP ZONE)
(A) FOOD CHAIN
Linear transfer of energy
Types:
1. Grazing food chain – starts from producers
2. Detritus food chain – starts from dead organic matter
Detritus food chain is dominant in terrestrial ecosystems.
(B) FOOD WEB
• Interconnected food chains
• Provides stability to ecosystem
More complex the food web → more stable ecosystem
6. ECOLOGICAL PYRAMIDS (VERY FREQUENT)
Types
1. Pyramid of Number
2. Pyramid of Biomass
3. Pyramid of Energy
Pyramid Shape
Energy Always upright
Biomass Upright (terrestrial), Inverted (aquatic)
Number Can be inverted
Pyramid of energy can never be inverted (2nd law of thermodynamics).
7. PRODUCTIVITY (NUMERICAL-BASED)
Definitions
• Primary productivity: Rate of biomass production by producers
Types:
1. GPP (Gross Primary Productivity) – total photosynthesis
2. NPP (Net Primary Productivity)
Formula (VERY IMPORTANT)
NPP = GPP − R
Where R = Respiration loss
NPP = Energy available to herbivores
8. DECOMPOSITION PROCESS (SEQUENCE TRAP)
Steps
1. Fragmentation
2. Leaching
3. Catabolism
4. Humification
5. Mineralisation
Humus is resistant to microbial action & acts as nutrient reservoir.
9. NUTRIENT CYCLING (BIOGEOCHEMICAL
CYCLES)
Types
1. Gaseous cycle – Carbon, Nitrogen
2. Sedimentary cycle – Phosphorus
Cycle Reservoir
Carbon Atmosphere
Nitrogen Atmosphere
Phosphorus Rocks
Phosphorus cycle has NO gaseous phase.
10. ECOSYSTEM STABILITY
More stable ecosystems have:
• High species diversity
• Complex food webs
• Efficient nutrient cycling
Artificial ecosystems → low stability
11. ECOSYSTEM SERVICES (DIRECT QUESTIONS)
Types
1. Provisioning – Food, fuel, fibre
2. Regulating – Climate, flood control
3. Cultural – Aesthetic, spiritual
4. Supporting – Nutrient cycling, soil formation
12. EXAM-FAVORITE ONE-LINERS
• Energy flow is unidirectional
• Decomposers are saprotrophs
• NPP is available to herbivores
• Pyramid of energy is always upright
• Detritus food chain dominates terrestrial ecosystems
13. COMMON EXAM TRAPS
• Confusing food chain with food web
• Saying energy cycle is cyclic
• Inverting energy pyramid
• Assuming artificial ecosystems are stable
NEXT STEP (Suggested)
• Assertion-Reason questions
• Match the following
• Numerical on productivity
• Case-based food web questions
(Just tell me )