AIAS
Ecosystems
[Link].20
By:
DR. KARUNENDRA
ASST. PROFESSOR
AMITY INSTITUTE OF APPLIED SCIENCES
AMITY UNIVERSITY, NOIDA CAMPUS, UTTAR-
PRADESH
Descriptors/Topics AIAS
1 Concept of an ecosystem,
[Link] of ecosystem,
[Link] and function of an ecosystem, Producers, consumers and
decomposers. [Link] flow in the ecosystem, Food chains, food webs and
ecological pyramids.
[Link] succession.
6. Introduction, types, characteristic features, structure and function of
(i) Forest ecosystem,
(ii)Grassland ecosystem
(iv) Desert ecosystem,
(v) Aquatic ecosystems (ponds, streams, lakes, rivers, ocean estuaries)
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Concept of an ecosystem AIAS
The term “Ecosystem" was first used in
1935 by British ecologist Arthur
Tansley.
Ecosystem consists of an assembly of
mutually interacting organisms and
their environment .
Ecosystem has physical, chemical,
and biological components along
with energy sources and pathways of
energy and materials interchange.
Environment in which a particular
organism lives is called its habitat.
The role of an organism in a habitat is
called its niche.
Fig: Schematic representation of ecosystem
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Components of Ecosystem AIAS
The structure of an ecosystem can be based on two important factors:
[A] Abiotic Components:
It includes Air, water, soil,
minerals, sunlight,
temperature, nutrients,
wind, altitude, turbidity, etc.
[B] Biotic Components : Biotic
components can be categorized
into.:
Autotrophs,
Heterotrophs (Primary, secondary and
tertiary)
Decomposers.
Fig: Basic factors of ecosystem
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Types of ecosystem AIAS
An ecosystem can be classified into two main types :
Terrestrial Ecosystem
Aquatic Ecosystem
Terrestrial Ecosystems :There are different types of terrestrial ecosystems distributed
around various geological zones.
Forest Ecosystems
Grassland Ecosystems
Tundra Ecosystems
Desert Ecosystem
Aquatic Ecosystem: These can be further divided into two types:
Freshwater Ecosystem
Marine Ecosystem
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Terrestrial Ecosystems
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Forest Ecosystems Grassland Ecosystems
A forest ecosystem consists of several In a grassland ecosystem, the
plants, animals and microorganisms vegetation is dominated by
that live in coordination with the grasses and herbs. Temperate
abiotic factors of the environment. grasslands, savanna grasslands
Forests help in maintaining the are some of the examples of
temperature of the earth and are the grassland ecosystems.
major carbon sink.
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Tundra Ecosystems Desert Ecosystem
Tundra ecosystems are devoid of trees Deserts are found throughout the
and are found in cold climates or where world. These are regions with very
rainfall is scarce. These are covered with little rainfall. The days are hot, and
snow for most of the year. The ecosystem the nights are cold.
in the Arctic or mountain tops is tundra
type.
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Freshwater Ecosystem Marine Ecosystem
The freshwater ecosystem is an The marine ecosystem includes seas and
aquatic ecosystem that includes oceans. These have a more substantial salt
lakes, ponds, rivers, streams and content and greater biodiversity in
wetlands. These have no salt content comparison to the freshwater ecosystem
in contrast with the marine
ecosystem.
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Audio-Video on Iron Ore in India
AIAS
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QUESTIONS
AIAS
1. What do you understand by “Ecosystem”.
2. Explain structure and important functions of ecosystem.
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REFERENCE AIAS
[1] Ecosystem; chapter.3; DK Asthana;Schand; Environmental studies;14-15.\
[2] Ecosystem;[Link] Show;Peekadoo Kidz; Youtube channel.
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