Environment
And
Ecology
Part-III
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Energy Flow
Energy is the fundamental factor that drives all metabolic processes.
Energy flow is the unidirectional movement of energy from the
producer to the top consumers. The study of trophic level interaction
in an ecosystem provides insight into the ecosystem's energy flow.
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Trophic level interaction
Trophic level interaction deals with how the members of an ecosystem
I plantsthe
are connected based on nutritional needs.
ofsuch
queen
-
It
Energy flow only from lower to higher tropic level, i.e it is
unidirectional.
Each trophic level loses some energy in the form of useless heat,
hence the energy level drops from the first trophic level upwards.
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Food Chain
A food chain is a series of organisms that feed on one another.
The food chain is the sequence of eating and being eaten that results
in the transfer of food energy.
The plant converts solar energy into chemical energy by
photosynthesis
Plant matter is consumed by small herbivores, who then transform it
to animal matter.
Large carnivores consume these herbivores.
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Types of Food Chain
[Link] food chain:
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Types of Food Chain
[Link] food chain:
It begins with microorganisms consuming the dead
organic matter of decaying animals and plant
bodies, followed by detritus-feeding creatures
known as detrivores or decomposers.
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Types of Food Chain
[Link] food chain:
The major source of energy in the grazing food
chain is live plant biomass, whereas the primary
source of energy in the detritus food chain is dead
organic matter or detritus.
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physical breakdown of
deed
Fragmentation
matter
P :
organic
pieces by organism like
into smaller beetles
& worm.
②
Leaching ; water soluble
compounds
are washed out
of decomposing material.
③ Latabolism: Microorganisms life
AgipBan seek down
the to the
organic
releasing siny
⑦
umification :
Remaining organic under further decomposition resulting
matter as
,
in
the
formation of Homes dont coloured
To
.
amorphors solid
compound
⑤
H
incralisation
This isthefinalstate
:
where componeor
anic molecule
Favorable
-
conditions
for Decomposition
1)
High tarp .
Nitrogen
2) content
High
3) chitin detritus
lignin y
Low in
Food Web
A food chain is just one aspect of the food or energy flow across an
ecosystem and it implies a simple, isolated relationship that is
seldom found in ecosystems.
"A food web depicts all
possible energy and
nutrition exchanges
among organisms in an
ecosystem, whereas a
food chain follows only
one food pathway”.
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Ecological Pyramids
stacks elton (1927)
Ecological pyramids
are diagrammatic
representations of the
stages of trophic
levels. The base of the
pyramid is the food
producer, and the apex
is the top carnivore.
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Do you
know?
Charles Elton developed the concept of the ecological
pyramids.
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Ecological Pyramids
The total number of individuals at each
trophic level in an ecosystem is represented
by the length of each bar. With each step
-
from the producer to the consumer level, the
number, biomass, and energy of organisms
decreases, and the diagrammatic depiction
takes on a pyramid form. There are three
types of ecological pyramids.
=>
1. Pyramid of numbers,~
>
#
2. Pyramid of biomass,
-
3. Pyramid of energy or productivity.
&
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Pyramid of Numbers
I
Thales elton (19)
In this pyramid, the number of individuals is decreased from lower level to
higher trophic level.
This type of pyramid can be seen in grassland ecosystem.
· in a deset
star
crosy
invated
t
-
&
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Pyramid of Biomass
/
Bodenheimer [1930]
Individuals at each trophic level are weighed rather than counted in this
method.
Pyramid of biomass is usually determined by collecting all organisms
occupying each trophic level separately and measuring their dry weight.
star
Faticinvented
Biomass is measured in g/m2.
ecor
Ag Phytoplaton Topplanton small fishes
>
- >
-
Big fishe
F
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Pyramid of Energy
Call Lindem an
& Hutchinson
- ↓
Pyramid of energy shows the rate of energy flow and/or productivity at
&
neud
successive trophic levels O
1942
Can
be
invented
Y
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Pollutants and Trophic Level
Pollutants especially non-degradable ones move through the various
trophic levels in an ecosystem.
Movement of these pollutants involves two main processes:
i. Bioaccumulation
ii. Bio-magnification
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Pollutants and Trophic Level
Bioaccumulation:
It refers to how pollutants enter a food chain.
In bioaccumulation there is an increase in concentration of a pollutant
from the environment to the first organism in a food chain.
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Pollutants and Trophic Level
Bio-magnification:
Bio-magnification refers to the
tendency of pollutants to
concentrate as they move from one
trophic level to the next.
Pyramid of energy shows the rate
of energy flow and/or productivity
at successive trophic levels.
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Pollutants and Trophic Level
Bio-magnification:
Bio-magnification refers to the
tendency of pollutants to
concentrate as they move from one
trophic level to the next.
Pyramid of energy shows the rate
of energy flow and/or productivity
at successive trophic levels.
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