Chapter 3

ECOSYSTEM
ECOSYSTEM
​ A group of organisms (plants, animals and microorganisms) interacting among
themselves and with environment is known as ecosystem.
Types of Ecosystem
​ Ecosystems are classified based on source as follows:
Ecosystem

Natural​ ​ ​ ​ Artificial/Man made

i)​ Cropland
ii)​ Dams

Terrestrial​ ​ ​ ​ Aquatic
(i) Grassland
(ii) Forest
(iii) Desert Marine​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Fresh water​
​ ​ ​ (Sea and Ocean ecosystem)​​ ​ ​ ​ ​
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​
​ ​ ​ ​ Lotic​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Lentic​
[Running water]​​ ​ [Standing water]
​ ​ ​ Spring, River & Stream Lake & Pond
Micro ecosystem are ecosystem, which are made in laboratories for a planned
study.
Structure of an Ecosystem
​ The structure of an ecosystem explains the relationship between the abiotic and
the biotic components.
1. Biotic structure
​ The plants, animals and microorganisms present in an ecosystem form the biotic
components. The above living members are grouped into different types based on how
they get their food.
(a) Producers (Autotrophs – self-feeding)
​ Producers are organisms which can produce their food by themselves through
photosynthesis.
(i)​ Photo autotrophs: They are mainly green plants, which can synthesize
their food themselves by making use of CO2 present in the air and water in
the presence of sunlight by chlorophyll, through the process of
photosynthesis.
(ii)​ Chemo-autotrophs (or) Chemosynthetic organisms: Some micro
organisms can produce organic matter through oxidation of certain
chemicals in the absence of sunlight. They are known as
chemo-autotrophs.
Ecosystems are classified based on structure as follows:
Ecosystem

Biotic Abiotic

Producer Consumer Decomposer Physical Chemical

(Sunlight, temp, (C, N, P, K etc.)
Photoautotrophs Chemautotrophs rainfall, pressure)

Herbivores Carnivores Omnivores Detritivores

(Plant eaters) (Meat eaters) (both eaters) (Dead organism, wastes)
1o consumer (human, dog, (ants, earthworms)
(cow, insect, rat) birds)

2o consumer 3o consumer
(Fox, frog) (Snake, big fish)

(b) Consumers
​ Consumers are organisms which get their food from other organisms.
​ They are classified into
 (i)​ Herbivores (Plant Eaters): They feed directly on plants and hence also
known as primary consumers. e.g.: cattle, elephant, rabbit, insect.
(ii)​ Carnivores (Meat-Eaters): They feed on animals. If they feed on
herbivores, they are called secondary consumers (e,g.: fox, frog) and if
they feed on other carnivores (snake, big fish) they are known as tertiary
consumers/carnivores.
(iii)​ Omnivores: They feed on both plants and animals. e.g.: humans, many
birds, dogs, rats.
(iv)​ Detritivores: They feed on the parts of dead organisms & wastes of
living organisms. e.g.: beetles, ants, earthworms.
Grass ​ ​ rabbit ​ ​ Fox ​​ tiger
(Producer) [1o consumer] [2o consumer] [3o consumer]

(c) Decomposers: These include microorganisms like bacteria and fungi which attack
the dead bodies of animals and plants and decompose them into simpler compounds.
During the decomposition, inorganic nutrients are released. These ​ nutrients are utilized
by the producers for the synthesis of their own food.
(ii) Abiotic Structure
​ The physical and chemical components of an ecosystem constitute abiotic
structure.
(a)​ Physical factors: Sunlight, air, water, soil etc
(b)​Chemical factors: carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, hydrogen,
oxygen and sulphur,
All the biotic components of an ecosystem are influenced by the abiotic
components and vice versa. They are linked together through energy flow and
material cycling.
Functions of an Ecosystem
1. Primary function
​ The primary function of all the ecosystems is the manufacture of starch through
photosynthesis.
2. Secondary function
​ The secondary function of all the ecosystems, is distributing energy in the form
of food to all consumers.
3. Tertiary function (Decomposition)
​ The dead bodies of plants and animals are decomposed by the activity of bacteria
and fungi.

FOOD CHAIN
​ “The sequence of eating and being eaten in an ecosystem” is known as food
chain.
Some common examples of food chains are:
Grass ​ grasshopper ​ frog ​ snake ​ Hawk (Grassland
ecosystem)
Phytoplanktons ​​ water flies ​ small fish ​ tuna (Pond
ecosystem)
Lichens ​ ​ reindeer ​ man (Arctic tundra)
FOOD WEB
​ The interlinking pattern of various food chains are called food web.
​ Example: Food web in a grass land ecosystem.

Food web is a network of food chains where different types of organisms are
connected at different trophic levels, so that there are number of options of eating and
being eaten at each trophic level.
Difference between food chains and food webs
​ In a food chain, if one species gets affected, then the species in the subsequent
tropic levels is also affected.
In a food web, if one species gets affected, it does not affect other trophic level.
There are a number of options available at each tropic level.
Significance of food chains and food webs
1.​ Food chains and food webs play a very significant role in the ecosystem,
because the two most important functions namely energy flow and nutrient
cycling take place through them.
2.​ The food chains also help in maintaining and regulating the population size of
different animals and thus, help maintain the ecological balance.
3.​ Food chains show a unique property of biological magnification of some
chemicals.
ECOLOGICAL PYRAMIDS
​ “Graphical representation of structure and function of an ecosystem of trophic
levels starting with producers at the base and successive trophic levels forming the apex”
is known as an ecological pyramid.
In food chain, starting from the producers to the consumers, there is a regular
decrease in the properties. Since, some energy is lost as heat in each trophic levels, it
becomes progressively smaller near the top.
They are of three types,
a) Pyramid of numbers
b) Pyramid of biomass
c) Pyramid of energy
1. Pyramid of numbers
​ It represents the number of individual organisms present in each trophic level.
For example, in a pond the lowest trophic level is represented by algae and
diatoms, which are largest in number. The second trophic level is represented by
herbivorous zooplankton, such as copipods, ranatra etc. which are less abundant in
number. The third and fourth trophic levels are occupied by smaller and larger fish,
respectively. There is a considerable reduction in the number of individuals from the base
to the top of the pyramid. Another example may be coated of a forest. In a forest, the
small herbivorous insects are more abundant than the insectivorous birds. Similarly, the
preying birds, such as hawks are fewer than insectivorous birds.

2. Pyramid of biomass
​ The amount of living or organic matter present in a particular environment or
trophic level is called biomass. Eg; Forest ecosystem. In forest ecosystem, there is a
decrease in the biomass from the lower tropic level to the higher tropic level. This is
because trees are maximum in the forest, which contribute a huge biomass. The next
tropic levels are herbivores (birds, insects) and carnivores (snakes, foxes). The top of the
tropic level contains few tertiary consumers (lions, tigers) the biomass of which is very
low.
3. Pyramid of Energy
​ It represents the amount of energy present at each trophic level.
​ At every successive trophic level, there is a huge loss of energy (about 90%) in
the form of heat, respiration etc. Thus, at each next higher level only 10% of the energy
passes on. Hence there is a sharp decrease in energy level as we move from producers to
top carnivores.

ENERGY FLOW IN AN ECOSYSTEM

​ Solar energy is the only source of energy to our planet earth. The solar energy is
transformed from radiant to chemical energy in photosynthesis by plants called as
primary producers. Flow of energy in an ecosystem takes place through the food chain.
​ The energy flow in an ecosystem is unidirectional or one-way flow. Only 1% of
the sunlight is utilized by the green plants in photosynthesis. This small amount of light
energy is sufficient to maintain all life on this earth.
​ The flow of energy through an ecosystem follows the laws of thermodynamics.
1. First law of thermodynamics:
​ It states that “energy can neither be created nor be destroyed but it can be
transformed from one form to another”. Solar energy is converted into chemical energy
by the green plants.
(Ex) photosynthesis

6CO2 + 6H2O + sunlight C6H12O6 + 6O2.

2. Second law of thermodynamics:
​ It states that “whatever energy is transformed, there is a loss of energy through the
release of heat. The loss of energy occurs when energy is transferred between trophic
levels.” The loss of energy takes place through respiration, loss of energy in locomotion,
running, hunting and other activities.

Ecological Succession
​ The progressive replacement of one community by another till the development of
stable community in a particular area is ecological succession.

Stages of ecological succession:

Pioneer community → first group of organism in an area
Seral stage → various developmental stages of community
Types of Ecological succession
1. Primary Succession
​ It involves the gradual establishment of biotic communities which are known
as pioneers on nearly lifeless ground.
i)​ Hydrarch (Hydrosere): starting from watery area.
ii)​ Mesarch : starting in an area of adequate moisture.
iii)​ Xerarch or xerosere : starting in a dry area with little moisture.
2. Secondary Succession
​ It involves the establishment of biotic communities in an area, where some type of
biotic community is already present.
STEPS OR PROCESS OF SUCCESSION
The process of succession takes place in a systematic order of sequential steps
1.​ Nudation: It is the development of a bare area without any life form.
2.​ Invasion: It is the establishment of one or more species on a bare area through
dispersal or migration, followed by establishment.
(a)Dispersal or migration: Dispersal of the seeds, spores etc. is brought about by wind,
water, insects or birds.
(b)Establishment: Then the seeds germinate and grow on the land establishes their
pioneer community.
3.​ Competition: As the number of individuals grows there is competition, with the
same species and between different species for space, water and nutrients.
4.​ Reaction: The living organisms grow, use water and nutrients and grow and modify
the environment is known as reaction. This modification becomes unsuitable for the
existing species and favour some new species, which replace the existing species.
This leads to seral communities.
5.​ Stabilization: It leads to stable community, which is in equilibrium with the
environment.

Questions PART A
1.​ What are the role of producers, consumers and decomposers?
2.​ “The flow of energy is one-way and continuous in an Ecosystem” – Justify.
3.​ What are food chains and food webs? Give examples and discuss their
significance. (AU 2005)./Differentiate food chain and food web.
PART B
4.​ Briefly explain the structure and function of an ecosystem./ Briefly discuss the
structural and functional components of an ecosystem. (AU 2006)./ Explain the
concept of an ecosystem. Give a schematic representation of the structure of an
ecosystem.
5.​ With a neat sketch, explain the flow of energy through the various components
of the ecosystem. (AU 2007)./ Discuss the energy flow in an ecosystem. (AU
2005, AU 2006).
6.​ What are ecological pyramids? Explain why some of these pyramids are
upright while others are inverted.//What is an ecological pyramid? Explain
various types of ecological pyramids. (AU 2005, AU 2006).
7.​ Discuss the process of ecological succession. (AU 2006)./What is meant by
ecological succession? Explain the types of ecological succession.