ECOSYSTEM
à Ecosystem is the functional unit of nature where living
organism interact among themselves and with the
surrounding physical environment.
Types of ecosystems
à Terrestrial ecosystem- Forest, grasslands
à Aquatic Ecosystem-Pond, Lake, Wetlands etc.
à Man made ecosystem-Crop fields, aquariums
STRATIFICATION
à Vertical distribution of different species occupying
different levels is call Stratification.
Components of Ecosystem (pond ecosystem)
à Abiotic components
à Biotic components
a)Abiotic Components-Water, soil deposited at the bottom.
b) Climatic conditions- Solar inputs, cycle of temperature,
day length etc.
c) Autotrophic Components- Microscopic algae and floating
submerged plants are call PHYTOPLANKTONS.
à Conversion of the inorganic into organic material with
the help of the radiant energy of the sun by the
autotrophs. (Productivity)
à Consumption of the autotrophs by heterotrophs,
decomposition and mineralisation of the dead matter to
release them back for reuse by the autotrophs.
(Decomposition)
à Consumption of autotrophs by the Heterotrophs.
(Energy flow)
à Conversion of inorganic biomass by organic molecules.
(Nutrient cycle)
Major aspects of Ecosystem-
à Productivity
à Decomposition
à Energy flow
à Nutrient Cycling
PRODUCTIVITY- It is defined as the amount of
biomass or organic matter produced per unit area by
plants during photosynthesis.
• It is expressed in terms of weight(gm-2) or energy
(kcal m-2).
• If the rate is to be calculated, it can be formulated
as gm-2yr-1 or (kcal m-2)yr-1.
• GPP (Gross primary productivity)-It is the rate of
production of organic matter during
photosynthesis.
• R-Respiration losses
• NPP (Net primary productivity)- The available
biomass for the consumption to Heterotrophs.
• Secondary productivity- The rate of formation of
the new organic matter by consumers.
GPP-R=NPP
Primary Productivity depends on factors such as-
i) Plant species in a specific area.
ii) Availability of nutrients of photosynthesis
capacity of plants.
o The annual net primary productivity of the
whole biosphere is approx 170 billion tons.
DECOMPOSITION-