Ecosystem
The community of life and its environment
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Lesson Outline
Introduction of Ecosystem & Roles
of Organisms in the Ecosystem
Ecological Succession & Factors
Influencing Ecological Succession
Types of Succession & Cause of
Plant Succession
Biogeochemical Cycle & Global
Biogeochemical Cycles Critical
for Life
Relevance for the Global Climate
up to Human Influences
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An Ecosystem...
is a community of living organisms in
conjunction with the nonliving components of
their environment, interacting as a system.
These biotic and abiotic components are
regarded as linked together through nutrient
cycles and energy flows.
Ecosystems are networks of interactions
between organisms and their environment, and
they can be any size but usually cover
specific areas.
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Biotic vs. Abiotic
Biotic Abiotic
living things in an nonliving things in an
ecosystem ecosystem
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Energy Flow in the
Ecosystem
The energy that flows through ecosystems is
obtained primarily from the sun. It generally
enters the system through photosynthesis, a process
that also captures carbon from the atmosphere.
Energy flows through three main groups of organisms
in an ecosystem:
▪︎ Producers ▪︎ Consumers ▪︎ Decomposers
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Producers
Organisms, like plants, that make their own food using sunlight, water, and
carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.
Sunlight Water (H2O) Air (CO2)
Glucose & Oxygen
Plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to make glucose and release
oxygen.
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Consumers
Organisms in the ecosystem that obtain energy by eating producers or other
consumers.
Food Chain
Sun
Grass Caterpillar Squirrel
Eagle
Producer Consumers Arrow represents the
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transfer of energy
Food Web
is a diagram that shows the interconnected feeding relationships among organisms
in an ecosystem, illustrating how energy flows through multiple food chains
Grasshopper Bird
Sun
Fox
Grass
Eagle
Squirrel
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Types of Consumers
Herbivores
Carnivores
Organisms that only
Organisms that only
consume plants
consume meats
Omnivores Organisms that both
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consume plants and meats
Producers vs. Consumers
Rabbit Lion Bear
Tree Grass Algae (herbivore) (carnivore) (omnivore)
Producers Consumers
Produce their own food Obtain their energy from eating
through photosynthesis plants and other animals
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Decomposers
Tiny organisms like bacteria and fungi that break down dead plants, animals,
and waste materials.
Sun
Nutrients
returned to Bacteria (Decomposer)
soil
Dead organism
Plant (Producer)
Consumer (Herbivore) High-level consumer (Carnivore)
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Did You Know?
Chlorophyll is a green pigment
found in most plants.
Its primary role is to absorb
sunlight and convert it into
chemical energy.
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Roles of Organisms in
the Ecosystem
Loch Lomond in Scotland forms a relatively
isolated ecosystem. The fish community of this
lake has remained stable over a long period until
a number of introductions in the 1970s
restructured its food.
Species that were introduced to Loch Lomond in the
1970s:
[Link] (Gymnocephalus cernua)
[Link] (Rutilus rutilus)
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Ruffe Roach
(Gymnocephalus cernua) (Rutilus rutilus)
A small predatory fish introduced A small, freshwater fish known for its
accidentally, which had a significant adaptability and ability to compete with
impact on native species. native species when introduced to new
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ecosystems.
Roles of Organisms in
the Ecosystem
Spiny forest at Ifaty, Madagascar; featuring
various Adansonia (baobab) species, Alluaudia
procera (Madagascar ocotillo), and other
vegetation.
Species that were introduced to Spiny forest at
Ifaty, Madagascar:
[Link] (baobab)
[Link] procera (Madagascar ocotillo)
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Adansonia Alluaudia procera
(baobab) (Madagascar ocotillo)
a genus of large, drought-resistant A tall, spiny, drought-tolerant plant
trees known for their massive trunks adapted to arid conditions and
and vital role in storing water and important for providing shelter and
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supporting local ecosystems. food for native animals.
Ecological Succession
-Ecological Succession is the observed process
of change in the species structure of an
ecological community over time.
-It is a phenomenon or process by which an
ecological community undergoes more or less
orderly and predictable changes following
disturbance or initial colonization of new
habitat (e.g a lava flow or severe landslide)
or by some form of disturbance (e.g fire,
severe wind throw, logging) of an existing
community.
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Succession After Disturbance:
Boreal forest Two years after a
wildfire 18
Factors Influencing
Succession
Environmental Conditions
Soil Condition
The type of soil, its moisture level, pH,
and nutrient content determine the plants
that can establish and Grow.
Climate
Temperature, rainfall, and wind can
determine the pace of succession and the
types of species that can survive and
thrive.
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Disturbance
Events like Landslide, volcanic eruptions,
fires, and human activities can initiate
succession by clearing areas, but they also
leave remnants like soil and seeds for
secondary succession.
Biotic Interaction
Competition - Events like Landslide, volcanic
eruptions, fires, and human activities can
initiate succession by clearing areas, but
they also leave remnants like soil and seeds
for secondary succession.
Dispersal - The ability of new species
(propagules, like seeds) to reach an area and
survive the existing condition is crucial for
continuing succession.
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Types of Succession:
Primary & Secondary
Succession
Primary Succession
The process of ecological development that begins in
an area which has never been previously occupied by
an ecological community, such as newly exposed rock,
sand surfaces, lava flows, or newly exposed glacial
tills.
Example:
Lava flows from a volcanic eruption → cooled rock
surface → lichens and mosses colonize.
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Types of Succession:
Primary & Secondary
Succession
Secondary Succession
the process of ecological development that occurs
after severe disturbance or removal of a pre-
existing community. It happens in areas where soil,
organic matter, or some living organisms remain,
making the process faster than primary succession.
Example:
A forest destroyed by wildfire → soil remains
→ grasses, bushes, and trees regrow.
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Stages of Secondary Succession
1. A stable The fire burns
deciduous forest the forest to the
community. ground.
A disturbance, The fire leaves
such as the behind empty, but
wildfire, not destroyed,
destroys the soil.
forest.
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Stages of Secondary Succession
5. Grasses and 7. Fast evergreen
trees develop to
other herbaceous
their fullest, while
grow back first.
shade-tolerant trees
develop in the
understory.
6. Small bushes 8. The ecosystem
and trees begin is now back to a
to colonize the similar state to
area. where it began.
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Causes of Plant
Succession
Autogenic Succession - caused by factors
within the community.
Examples:
Flood deposits new soil → new types of plants
grow.
Allogenic Succession – caused by factors
outside the community.
Example:
Tall trees grow → create shade → shade-tolerant
plants replace sun-loving plants. 25
Climatic & Geological
Factors
Climatic Factors - succession caused by
climate and climate change such as change in
temperature, amount of rainfall, ice age,
greenhouse effect, and global warming.
Geological Factors - succession caused by
geological catastrophes like volcanoes,
earthquakes, floods, landslides, and
cyclones.
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A Biogeochemical Cycle....
is the movement of elements and compounds
through living things (bio), the Earth (geo),
and chemical processes (chemical).
In simple terms,
it’s how nature recycles stuff like water,
oxygen, carbon, and nutrients so life can keep
going. Think of it like a giant loop where
resources are reused over and over.
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Global Biogeochemical
Cycles Critical for Life
A. Water Cycle (Hydrologic Cycle)
the continuous movement of water
through the Earth's surface,
atmosphere, and underground.
What moves: Water (H₂O)
Key processes:
▪︎ Evaporation ▪︎ Condensation
▪︎ Precipitation ▪︎ Runoff/Infiltration
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IMPORTANCE:
Supplies water for
drinking, farming,
and all living
processes.
Image from [Link] 29
[Link]
B. NITROGEN CYCLE
the natural process that moves nitrogen through the atmosphere,
soil, living organisms, and back, involving steps like nitrogen
fixation, nitrification, assimilation, and denitrification.
What moves: Nitrogen (N₂ gas, nitrates, ammonia, etc.)
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▪︎ Nitrogen Fixation – Bacteria or lightning change N₂
gas into usable forms.
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(e.g., munggo, beans, peanuts).
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▪︎Nitrification – Soil bacteria turn ammonia into
nitrates.
two kinds of bacteria:
Nitrosomonas Nitrobacter
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▪︎Assimilation – Plants absorb nitrates; animals eat plants.
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▪︎Denitrification – Bacteria return nitrogen to the atmosphere.
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IMPORTANCE:
Nitrogen is needed
to build proteins and
DNA.
Image from [Link] 36
[Link]
C. CARBON CYCLE
the natural process by which carbon moves between the atmosphere,
living organisms, oceans, and the Earth’s surface through activities
like photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and combustion.
What moves: Carbon (mainly CO₂ and organic compounds)
Key processes:
▪︎ Photosynthesis - Plants take in CO₂ and make food.
▪︎ Respiration - Animals and plants release CO₂ when breathing.
▪︎ Decomposition - Dead matter releases carbon back into soil and air.
▪︎ Combustion - Burning fuels releases stored carbon as CO₂.
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Carbon Cycle Fossil fuel
Sunlight
combustion
CO₂ in the
Photosynthesis atmosphere
by producers
Plant
respiration
Animal respiration
Carbon fixation
by consumers
Decomposition
IMPORTANCE: Carbon is he backbone of
life molecules and helps control Earth's Fossil and fossil fuels 38
temperature.
D. OXYGEN CYCLE
the natural process where oxygen circulates between the atmosphere,
living organisms, and the Earth through processes such as photosynthesis,
respiration, and decomposition.
What moves: Oxygen (O₂, O₃, CO₂)
Key processes:
▪︎ Photosynthesis – Plants release O₂.
▪︎ Respiration – Animals and plants use O₂.
Decomposition - Uses oxygen to break down dead
organisms.
Combustion → Uses oxygen to burn fuels, producing CO₂.
▪︎ Ozone Formation – Oxygen forms O₃ in the upper atmosphere to block harmful39
UV rays.
IMPORTANCE:
Oxygen is essential
for respiration and
protecting life from
radiation. Image from [Link]
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[Link]
E. PHOSPHORUS CYCLE
the natural process that moves phosphorus through rocks, soil, water, and
living organisms, mainly by weathering of rocks, absorption by plants, and
return to the environment through decomposition.
What moves: Phosphorus (PO₄³⁻ compounds)
Key processes:
▪︎ Weathering – Rocks releases phosphorus into soil and water.
▪︎ Absorption – Plants take it up; animals eat plants.
▪︎ Decomposition – Returns phosphorus to soil and water.
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IMPORTANCE:
Needed for DNA,
cell membranes, and
Image from [Link]
energy (ATP).
[Link] 42
Impact of Humans Activities in these
5 cycles:
[Link] CYCLE 2. NITROGEN CYCLE
-Deforestation & Land Cover Change -Runoff and Leaching
Fertilizer can be washed off agriculture fields
-Removing forests - cuts down on
into rivers, Lakes, And oceans, a process known
transpiration plant driven
as runoff and leaching.
evaporation leading to drier
local climates, less groundwater -Reactive Nitrogen Pollution
recharge, and increased surface -Excess nitrogen enters waterways, driving
eutrophication, algal blooms, and hypoxic "dead
runoff, which in turn boosts
zones". It also contributes to acid rain,
flood risks and soil erosion.
respiratory issues, and ozone formation.
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3. CARBON CYCLE 4. OXYGEN CYCLE
-Fossil Fuel Combustion & Industrial -Deforestation
Emissions cuts down photosynthesis capacity
Burning coal, oil, and gas releases by removing oxygen producing
carbon stored over millions of forests.
years, rapidly increasing -Increased Oxygen Consumption
atmospheric CO₂ levels. -Fossil fuel combustion and
-Deforestation & Land Use Change industrial activities consume
- Clearing forests eliminates carbon oxygen.
sinks and releases stored carbon—
particularly from tropical forests,
which are now emitting more carbon
than ever.
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[Link] CYCLE
-Mining Phosphate Rocks
Since the 1840s, humans have added approximately "110 Tera grams" of
phosphorus to the environment through mining far exceeding natural
weathering rates. This imbalance continues to grow.
-Agricultural Phosphorus Misuse
Overuse of fertilizers and animal waste leads to runoff and
leaching, especially in poorly drained soils, causing eutrophication
and environmental degradation.
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