Module-3: Ecology, Ecosystem and Biodiversity – Short
Notes
Ecology
Ecology is the branch of biology that studies interactions between living organisms and their environment.
Ecosystem
An ecosystem includes living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components interacting through energy flow and nutrient
cycling.
Forest Ecosystem
Forest ecosystems are dominated by trees and support biodiversity. Producers, consumers and decomposers
maintain ecological balance.
Forest Products and Services
Forests provide timber, fuelwood, medicines, fruits and ecological services like oxygen production, climate regulation
and soil conservation.
Threats to Forests
Major threats include deforestation, illegal logging, fires, overgrazing, invasive species and climate change.
Grassland Ecosystem
Grasslands are dominated by grasses and support grazing animals. Types include Terai, Himalayan, Semiarid and
Shola grasslands.
Threats to Grasslands
Overgrazing, agriculture, urbanization, invasive species and climate change damage grasslands.
Desert Ecosystem
Desert ecosystems receive very low rainfall and contain plants and animals adapted to dry conditions.
Aquatic Ecosystem
Aquatic ecosystems include freshwater and marine systems supporting fish, algae, plankton and aquatic plants.
Threats to Aquatic Ecosystems
Pollution, overfishing, habitat destruction, invasive species and climate change threaten aquatic ecosystems.
Components of Ecosystem
Main components are producers, consumers, decomposers and abiotic factors like water, soil, air and temperature.
Producers
Autotrophs such as green plants prepare food through photosynthesis.
Consumers
Heterotrophs depend on other organisms for food. They include herbivores, carnivores and omnivores.
Decomposers
Bacteria and fungi break down dead organic matter and recycle nutrients back to the environment.
Water Cycle
Water moves continuously through evaporation, condensation, precipitation and collection.
Carbon Cycle
Carbon circulates between atmosphere, organisms, oceans and Earth through photosynthesis, respiration and
decomposition.
Oxygen Cycle
Oxygen is released during photosynthesis and used during respiration and combustion.
Nitrogen Cycle
Nitrogen moves through fixation, nitrification, ammonification and denitrification.
Energy Flow
Energy flows from producers to consumers and decomposers. Energy decreases at each trophic level.
Food Chain
A food chain shows transfer of energy from producers to consumers and decomposers.
Food Web
A food web is a network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem.
Ecological Pyramids
Ecological pyramids represent numbers, biomass and energy at different trophic levels.
Biodiversity
Biodiversity refers to the variety of genes, species and ecosystems in nature.
Types of Biodiversity
Genetic diversity, species diversity and ecosystem diversity are the three main types.
Values of Biodiversity
Biodiversity provides food, medicine, fuel, cultural, ethical, aesthetic and ecological benefits.
Threats to Biodiversity
Habitat loss, poaching, pollution and human-wildlife conflict reduce biodiversity.
Conservation of Biodiversity
Biodiversity can be conserved through in-situ and ex-situ conservation methods.
In-vitro Conservation
Plant tissues are preserved in laboratories using tissue culture techniques.
Project Tiger
Launched in 1973 to protect tigers and conserve their habitats in India.
Beej Bachao Andolan
Movement started to conserve traditional seed varieties and promote sustainable agriculture.