Ecology - Ecosystem

Kamalika
Dasgupta
Assistant Professor
BBA Department
IEM, Kolkata
• The meaning of the word
ecology was given by
German Biologist
Haeckel in 1869.
• The word ecology is
derived from Greek
words ‘Oikos’ meaning
house, habitat or place
of living and ‘Logos’
meaning to study.

• After that…. Danish

botanist, Eugenius
Warming elaborated the
idea of Ecology.
Definition
Ecology is the of interactions among
study organism or group of organisms with
environment. The environmenttheir
consists of both biotic
components (living organisms) and abiotic components
(non – living organisms).
Ecology is study of interactions
between
Non-living components in the
environment…
Light
Water
Wind
Nutrients in soil
Heat
Solar radiation
Atmosphere, etc.

AND…
Living
Plants
organisms…
Animals
Microorganisms in soil, etc.
 Ecosyste
The term Ecosystem
was firstproposed by
m
A.G. Tansley in
1935.
An ecosystem consists
of thebiological
community that
occurs in some locale,
and the physical and
chemical factors that
make up its non-living
environment. There
are many examples of
ecosystems - a pond, a
desert, a forest, an
Ecosystem is the basic functional unit of Ecology.

Definition
A group of organisms interacting among themselves
and with environment is known as ecosystem. Thus an
ecosystem is a community of different species interacting
with one another and with their non living environment
exchanging energy and matter.

Ecology is the study of ecosystems.

Example
Animals cannot synthesis their food directly but depend
on the plants either directly or indirectly.
 STRUCTURE OF AN ECOSYSTEM
The term structure refers to the various
components of an ecosystem.
An ecosystem has two major components
• Biotic (living) components
• Abiotic (non living) components

The living organisms(or) living members in an biotic

ecosystem collectively called components (or) biotic
community.
Ex: Plants, Animals,
Microorganisms
 Classification biotic components
The members of biotic components of an
ecosystem are grouped in to three based on how they get
food.

• Producer (Plants)
• Consumer ( Animals)
• Decomposers (Micro-organisms)
[Link] (
Autotrophs)
Producers synthesise their food
themselves through photosynthesis
Ex: All green plants, trees.
Photosynthesis
The green pigment called chlorophyll, present in the
leaves of plants,converts CO2 and H2O in the
presence of
sunlight into carbohydrates.
6CO2 + 6H2O ----> C6H12O6 + 6O2
This process is called photosynthesis
[Link] Mani, Head
& AP/ Chemistry, AEC
2. Consumers also called as
Heterotrophs: Classification of
consumers

Consumers are further classified as

(i) Primary consumers or Herbivores or Plant eaters:
Primary consumers are also called herbivores, they
directly depend on the plants for their food. So they are
called plant eaters.
Examples : Insects, rat, goat, deer, cow etc.
(ii) Secondary consumers (primary
carnivores) (Meat eaters):
Secondary consumers are primary carnivores, they feed
primary
on consumers. They directly depend on the
herbivores for their food.

Ex: Frog, cat, snakes, small birds,

etc.,
(iii) Tertiary consumers (Secondary carnivores)
(Meat- eaters)

Tertiary consumers are secondary carnivores, they feed

on secondary consumers. They depend on the primary
carnivores for their food.
Omnivore: Organisms that feed both on
plants and animals. Ex: Human, rat,
birds.

Detritivore: They feed on dead organisms,

wastes of living beings and partially
decomposed matter. Ex: Termites,
earthworm, ants etc.
3. Decomposers

Decomposersattack the dead bodies of producers and

consumers, and decompose them into simpler
compounds. During the decomposition inorganic nutrients
are released.
The inorganic nutrients together with other organic
substances arethen utilised by theproducers for the
synthesis of their own food.
 Abiotic (non-living) components
The non-living components (physical and chemical) of
ecosystem collectively form a community called abiotic
components (or) abiotic community.
Ex: Climate, soil, water, air, energy etc.,
1. Physical components: Include the energy, climate,
nutrients and living space that the biological community
needs. They are useful for the growth and maintenance
of its member.
Ex: Air, water, soil, sunlight, etc.,
2. Chemical Components: They are the sources of
essential nutrients.
• Organic substances : Protein, lipids, carbohydrates, etc.,
 TYPES OF
ECOSYSTEM
Natural ecosystem: These operate themselves under
natural conditions. Based on habitat types, it can be further
classified into three types.
Terrestrial ecosystem: This ecosystem is related to land.
Ex: Grassland ecosystem, forest ecosystem, desert ecosystem,
etc.,
Aquatic ecosystem: This ecosystem is related to water.
It is further sub classified into two types based on salt
content.
• Fresh water ecosystem
(a) Running water ecosystems. Ex: Rivers, Streams…
(b) Standing water ecosystems Ex: Pond, lake…
• Marine ecosystem Ex: Seas and sea shores…
3. Man – made (or) Artificial ecosystems: Artificial
ecosystem is operated (or) maintained by man himself.
 FUNCTION OF AN ECOSYSTEM
The function of an ecosystem is to allow flow of energy
and cycling of nutrients.
Functions of an ecosystem are of three types.
• Primary function: The primary function of all ecosystem
is manufacture of starch (photosynthesis).
• Secondary function: The secondary function of all
ecosystem is distribution energy in the form of food to all
consumers.
• Tertiary Function: All living systems diet at a particular
stage. These dead systems are decomposed to initiate third
function of ecosystems namely “cycling”.
 The functioning of an ecosystems may be understood by

studying the following terms.

• Energy and material flow.

• Food chains

• Food webs

• Food pyramids
 ENERGY FLOW IN THE ECOSYSTEMS
• Energy is the most essential requirement for all living
organisms.
• Solar energy is the only source to our planet earth.
• Solar energy is transformed to chemical energy in
photosynthesis by the plants (Primary producers).
• Some amount of chemical energy is used
by the plants for their growth and the
remaining is transferred to consumers by the
process of eating.
• Thus the energy enters the ecosystems through
photosynthesis and passes through the different tropic
levels or feeding levels.
Hea Hea
t t

Heat
The flow of energy in an ecosystem follows the
laws of thermodynamics.
I law of thermodynamics - “Energy neither can be created nor
destroyed, but it can be converted from one from to other”.
Energy for an ecosystem comes from the sun. It is absorbed
by plants, it is converted into chemical energy. This chemical
energy utilised by consumers transform into heat.
II law of thermodynamics - “Whenever energy is transformed,
there is a loss of energy through the release of heat”.
Energy is transferred between tropic levels in the form of heat
as it moves from one tropic level to another tropic level. The
loss of energy takes place through respiration, work,
running, hunting etc.,
Flow of energy and nutrient cycling from abiotic to biotic and vice versa.
 FOOD CHAINS
Definition
“There sequence of eating and being eaten
in an ecosystem is known as food chain” (or)
“Transfer of food energy from the plants
through a series of organisms is known as
food chain”

• A food chain always starts with plant life and ends with
animal. When the organisms die, they are all decomposed by
microorganism (bacteria and fungi) into nutrients that can
again be used by the plants.
• At each and every level, nearly 80-90% of the potential
energy gets lost as heat.
Grsss Grasshopper Mouse Owl
 Tropic Levels (T1,T2, T3, T4, T5) (or)
Feeding levels The various steps through
which food energy
passes in an ecosystem is called as tropic
levels. The tropic levels are arranged in the
following way,
• The green plants or producers represent first tropic
level T1,
• The herbivores or primary consumers represent
second tropic level T2.
• The carnivores or secondaryconsumers represent
third tropic level T3.
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 FOOD WEB
• The interlocking pattern of various food chains in an
ecosystem is known as food web.
• In a food web many food chains are interconnected, where
different types of organisms are connected at different tropic
levels, so that there are a number of opportunities of
eating and being eaten at each tropic level.
• Grass may be eaten by insects, rats, deer's, etc., these may
be eaten by carnivores (snake, fox, tiger). Thus there is a
interlocking of various food chains called food webs
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Difference between food chains and food web:
In a linear food chain if one species gets affected (or)
becomes extinct, then the species in the subsequent
tropic levels are also affected. But, in a food web, if one
species gets affected, it doest not affect other tropic levels
so seriously. There are number of options available at
each tropic level.
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 Significance of food chains and food webs
• Food chains and food webs play a very important role in
the ecosystem. Energy flow and nutrient cycling takes
place through them.
• They maintain and regulate the population size of
different tropic levels, and thus help in maintaining
ecological balance.
• They have the property of bio-magnification. The non –
biodegradable materials keep on passing from one tropic
level to another. At each successive tropic level, the
concentration keep on increasing. This process is known
as bio-magnification.
 FOREST ECOSYSTEM

A forest is an area with a high density of trees. A forest

ecosystem is one in which tall trees grow that support many
animals and birds. The forests are found in undisturbed areas
receiving moderate to high rainfall. The forest occupies nearly
31% of the world’s land in India it is only 19% of total land
area.
Types of forest ecosystem
Based upon the climate conditions, forests are classified into
• Tropical Rain forests.
• Tropical deciduous forests.
• Tropical scrub forests.
• Temperate rain forests.
• Temperate deciduous forests.
 Characteristics of forest ecosystems
• Forests are characterised by warm temperature and
adequate rainfall, which make the generation of number
of ponds, lakes etc.,
• The forest maintains climate and rainfall.
• The forest support many wild animals and protect
biodiversity.
• The soil is rich in organic matter and nutrients which
support thegrowth of trees.
• Since penetration of light is so poor, the conversion of
organic matter into nutrients is very fast.
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 Structure and Function of forest ecosystem

I. Abiotic components
The abiotic components include basic inorganic & organic
compounds present in the soil & atmosphere. In addition
minerals, the occurrence of litter is characteristic features of
majority of forests.

II. Biotic components

1. Producers: In a forest, the producers are mainly trees
produce food by photosynthesis. Apart from trees, climbers,
epiphytes, shrubs and ground vegetation. Dominant species of
trees in forest are Dalbergia, Tectona grandis, Lichens, Fern,
2. Consumers
Primary consumers (herbivores): They directly depend on
the plantsfor their food.
Ex: Ants, flies, insects, mice, deer, squirrels. Larger animals
such as Elephants, Deer, Giraffe etc.
Secondary consumers (primary carnivores):They directly
depend on the herbivores for their food.
Ex: Lizards, snakes, birds, fox.
Tertiary consumers :They depend on the primary carnivores
for their food.
Ex: Animals like tiger, lion, etc.,
3. Decomposers
They decompose the dead plant and animal matter.
Producers.- OíPerent tree s ecies

Consumer in a Ëoresf Ecosystem

Aecomposers in a Forest ecosysfem

It provides numerous environmental services like;
Ø Nutrient cycling,
Ø Maintaining biodiversity Ø
Providing wildlife habitat
Ø Affecting rainfall patterns Ø
Regulating stream flow
Ø Storing water
Ø Reducing flooding
Ø Preventing soil erosion
Ø Reclaiming degraded land & many more….

Apart from environmental values, forest ecosystems have some

traditional values as well.
Ø Fire Wood & Timber. Ø
Fruits.
Ø Gums.
Ø Herbs & drugs.
 GRASSLAND ECOSYSTEM
Grassland occupies about 20% of earth’s surface. In
addition to grass some trees and shrubs are/also
present in grasslands. Limited grazing helps to improve
the net primary production of the grasslands. But,
overgrazing leads degradation of these grasslands
resulting in desertification.
Types of grassland ecosystem
Depending upon the climate conditions grassland are
classified into three types
• Tropical grasslands
• Temperate grasslands
 Features of different types of grassland
Tropical grasslands
They are found near the borders of tropical rain forests.
Characterised by high temperature and moderate
rainfall (40 to 100 cm). It is also known as
Savanna type. Tall grasses with scattered shrubs and
stunted trees and animals like zebras, giraffes, antelopes,
etc., are observed here.
Temperate grasslands
They are usually found in the centres of continents,
highly sloped hills. They are characterised by very
cold winters and hot summers: Intense grazing
and summer fires, do not support shrubs or trees to
 Polar grasslands
They are found in arctic polar regions. They are
characterised by severe cold and strong winds
along with ice and snow. In summers several small
annual plants grow. There are animals like arctic wolf,
weasel, arctic fox, etc.,

Characteristics of Grassland Ecosystems

• Grassland ecosystem is a plain land occupied by grasses.
• Soil is very rich in nutrients and organic matter.
• Since it has tall grass, it is ideal place for grazing animals.
• It is characterised by low or uneven rainfall.
Structure and function of the grassland
Ecosystems Abiotic components: Nutrients, H,
0, N, P, S, etc.,

These abiotic components are supplied by C02, H2 , C, Nitrate,

O
phosphates and sulphates.
Biotic Components
Producers: They produce food.
Ex: Grasses, Herbs and shrubs.
Consumers:.
Primary consumers (herbivores) :They depend on grasses for their
food Ex: Insects, cows, buffaloes, deer, sheep, etc.,
Secondary consumers (carnivores) :They feed on herbivores.
Examples: Lizards, birds, Snakes, jackals, fox, etc.,
Tertiary consumers: They feed on secondary consumers
Ex: Hawks, eagle, etc.,
Decomposers :They decompose the dead organic matter
Importance:
• Grasslands are of vital importance for raising livestock for
human consumption and for milk and other dairy products
• Grasslands provided home to many different animals that
were hunted and domesticated
• They are used as grazing area for cattle
• They Maintain Biodiversity
• Protects restored habitat for many plants and animals
including pheasant, ducks, songbirds and endangered
species
 DESERT ECOSYSTEMS
Introduction
Desert occupies about 14% of our world’s land area. It is
characterised by less than 25 cm rainfall. The
atmosphere is dry and hence it is a poor insulator .

Types of desert ecosystems

Based on the climatic conditions, deserts are classified
into three types.
• Tropical deserts.
• Temperate deserts.
• Cold deserts.
Features of different types of deserts
Tropical desert is an environment of extremes, it is the
driest and hottest place on earth. Rainfall is sporadic and in
some years no measurable precipitation falls at all.
•Africa: Sahara desert.
•Rajasthan: Thar desert.

Temperate desert is a barren area of land where little

precipitation occurs (less than 10%), characterised by very
hot summer and very Winter time. Ex: Atacama, Mojave.

Cold deserts have hot summers but

extremely cold winters. These are found in high,
flat areas, called plateaus. Ex: Gobi desert, Ladakh.
Characteristics of Desert ecosystem
The desert air is dry and the climate is hot. Annual
rainfall is less than 25 cm. The soil is very poor in
nutrients and organic matter, Vegetation is poor.

Structure and functions of the desert ecosystems

I. Abiotic Components
Intense solar radiation, lashing winds, and little moisture
i.e. less than 10 inches (25 cm) of rainfall. The nutrient
cycling is also very low. The characteristic feature of the
abiotic component is lack of organic matter in the soil
and scarcity of water.
Desert Ecosystem
II. Biotic Components
Producers: In deserts mostly Succulent (e.g., cacti) plants are
found available. They have waterinside them to stay alive, waxy
coating to prevent intense heat, thorn on the outside to protect
them from being eaten.
Ex: Succulents, Shrubs, bushes, some grasses and few trees.

Consumers: These animals dig holes in the ground to live in.

They come out at night to find food. Most of the animals can
extract water from the seeds they eat.
Ex: Locust, scorpions, snakes, camel, elk etc.

Decomposers: Desert has poor vegetation with a very low

amount of dead organic mater. They are decomposed by
few fungi and bacteria.
Ex: Fungi and bacteria
 ”

Deser† Food
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AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS

The aquatic ecosystem deals with water

bodies. The major types of organisms found in
aquatic environments are determined by the
water’s salinity.

Types of aquatic life zone

Aquatic life zones are divided into two types.

1. Fresh water life zones
Eg. Ponds, streams, lakes, rivers.
2. Salt water life zones
Eg. Oceans, estuaries.
 FRESH WATER ECOSYSTEM POND
ECOSYSTEMS
Introduction
A pond is a fresh water aquatic ecosystems, where water is
stagnant. It receives enough water during rainy season. It
contains several types of algae, aquatic plants, insects,
fishes and birds.

Characteristics of pond
• Pond is temporary, only seasonal.
• It is a stagnant fresh water body.
• Ponds get polluted easily due to limited amount of
water.
• Pond ecosystems are lentic ecosystems – i.e. they
 Structure and functions of pond ecosystems
Abiotic components
Ex: Temperature, light, water and organic and inorganic
compounds
Biotic
• Components
Producers
These include green photosynthetic organism. They are of
• two types.
Phytoplankton: These are microscopic marine plants, which
freely float on the surface of water.
• Microphytes
Ex: Floatingare microscopic
plants algae
like Nostoc, Anabena, Consmarium.
Ex: Floating plants and submerged plants like hydrilla,
Jussiaea, wolfia, demna.
Consumers
Primary consumers (Zooplanktons): These are microscopic
animals which freely float on the surface of water.
Zooplanktons are found along with phytoplankton. They feed
on plants (phytoplankton).
Ex: Protozoa, very small fish, ciliates, flagelaltes and
protozoans.
Secondary consumers (Carnivores):They feed on zooplankton
Ex: Insects like water beetles and small fish.
Tertiary consumers :They feed on smaller fish
Ex: Large fish like game fish.
Decomposers: They decompose the dead plant and animal
matter and their nutrients are released and reused by the
Importance of pond ecosystems.

1. Biodiversity: Pond ecosystems are very important habitats for so

many different types of fish, birds, plants and crustaceans as well
as insects such as dragonflies, damsel flies and pond skaters.
2. Ubiquity: Pond ecosystems can be found on every continent on
the planet.
3. Abundance: Pond ecosystems are very abundant. Not only can
they be found almost everywhere, they can be found plentifully.
4. Source of hydration: A watering hole in a prairie or desert many
species of animals will come to pond. Humans can also use these
ecosystems as a source of water.
5. Beauty: Pond ecosystems are very beautiful as well.
LAKE ECOSYSTEM
Lakes are large natural shallow water bodies. Lakes are
used for various purposes. Lakes are supplied with water
from rainfall, melting snow and streams.
Types of lakes
Some important types of lake are
Oligotrophic lakes : They have low nutrient concentrations
Eutrophic lakes : They are overnourished by nutrients like
N and P
Dystrophic lakes : They have low pH, high humic and
content and brown waters.
Volcanic lakes : They receive water from magma after
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 Characteristics of lake ecosystem
• Lake is a shallow fresh water body;
• It is a permanent water body with large Water
resources.
• It helps in irrigation and drinking.
Structure and function of lake ecosystem
I. Abiotic components
Temperature, light, proteins and lipids, O2 CO2
II. Biotic Consumers
Producers: They are green plants, may. be submerged,
free floating ad amphibious plants.
Examples: Phytoplanktons, algae and flagellates.
 Consumers

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 2. Consumers
Primary Consumers (Zooplanktons): They feed on
phytopankton
Ex: Ciliates, protozoans, etc.
Secondary consumers (carnivores) : They feed on
zooplankton. Ex Insects and small fishes.
Tertiary consumers: They feed on smaller fish
Ex: Large fishes like game fish.
Decomposers: They decompose the dead plants ad
animals Ex: Bacteria, fungi and aclinonrcetes.
 RIVER (or) STREAM ECOSYSTEM

Introduction
The running water of a stream or a river is usually well
oxygenated, because it absorb’s oxygen from the air. The
number of
animals are low in river or stream.

Characteristics of River or Stream.

It is a fresh water, and free flowing water systems.
Due to mixing of water, dissolved oxygen content is. more.
River deposits large amount of nutrients.
 Structure and function of River or Stream Ecosystem
Abiotic components
Examples : River, Light, Temperature, Chemistry,
Substrate

Biotic Components
Producers: Phytoplankton, algae, water grasses, aquatic
masses other amphibious plants.
Consumers
1. Primary consumers: They feed on phytoplankton.
Ex : Water insects, snails, fishes:
2. Secondary consumers: They feed on primary consumers
Ex: Birds
Decomposers: They decomposes the dead animals
[Link] Mani, Head
& AP/ Chemistry, AEC
 SALT WATER ECOSYSTEMS. OCEAN (MARINE)
ECOSYSTEMS

Introduction
Oceans cover more than two thirds of the earth’s surface. ocean
environment is characterised by its high concentration of salts and
minerals. It supplies huge variety of products and drugs. It also
provides us iron, magnesium, iron, natural gas.
Zones of Oceans
The oceans have two major life zones.
Coastal zone: It is relatively warm, nutrient rich shallow water. It has
high primary productivity because of high nutrients and sunlight.
Open sea: It is the deeper part of the ocean. It is vertically divided into
three regions.
• Euphotic zone: It receives abundant light and shows high
photosynthetic activity.
• Bathyal zone: It receives dim light and is usually geologically active.
• Abyssal zone: It is the dark zone and is very deep (2000 to metres).
[Link] Mani, Head
& AP/ Chemistry, AEC
Characteristics of Ocean Ecosystem
It occupies a large surface area with saline water.
Since ship, submarines can sail in ocean,
commercial activities may be earned out.
It is rich in biodiversity.
It moderates the- temperature
Structure and function Ecosystems

Abiotic components Examples

Temperature, light, NaCl, K, Ca, and Mg Salts
alkalinity

Biotic components
1. Producers :
Phytoplanktons (diatoms, unicellular algae, etc., ) and
marine
plants (sea weeds, chlorophycela, phaeophyceae).
2. Consumers
These are heterotrophic macro consumers. They depend
on producers for their nutrition.
Primary consumers (herbivores) :They feed on producers
Ex: Crustaceans, molluscs, fish
Secondary consumers (carnivores) : They feed on
herbivores
Ex: Herring, mackerel, etc.,
Tertiary Consumers: They are the top consumers. They
feed on small
Ex: Cod, Haddock, -etc.,
3. Decomposers: They decompose the dead organic
matter. Ex: Bacteria and some fungi.
 Phytoplankt
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