Environmental studies

ECOSYSTEM

The self-sustaining structural and

functional interaction between living and
non-living components.
Natural
[Link] ecosystems (grasslands, forests, desert
ecosystems)
[Link] ecosystem
[Link] (Stagnant water) like lake, ponds etc.
[Link] (Flowing water) like river, ocean, sea, etc.
Artificial
1.A crop land, garden, aquarium, park, kitchen garden.
An ecosystem consists of two main components
Abiotic or Non-living components.
1. Inorganic substances (water,oxygen
,Carbon dioxide,nitrogen etc)
2. Organic compounds(protiens,carbohydrides,ect)
3. Physical factors(tempreture,humidity,light etc)
Biotic or Living components.

1. Autotrophs or Producers(green plants)

2. Heterotrophs or Consumers(animals)
The functions of the ecosystem are as follows:
It regulates the essential ecological processes,
supports life systems and renders stability.
 It is also responsible for the cycling
of nutrients between biotic and abiotic components.
 It maintains a balance among the various trophic
levels in the ecosystem.
 It cycles the minerals through the biosphere.
 The abiotic components help in the synthesis of
organic components that involves the exchange of
energy.
Enrgy flow through food chain
1. The animals eat up plants and other animals as food. So, the
energy is transferred through food to animals.

grass grasshopper mouse snake hawk

2. When plants and animals die, then decomposers(like certain

bacteria and fungi) act on their dead bodies and decompose
them into simple materials like carbon dioxide, water and
minerals which go back to air, water bodies and soil from
where they were taken.
3. Nutrient cycling(biochemical cycle)
 PROCESS OF FUNCTIONING OF THE
ECOSYSTEM

The carbon dioxide from air, water and minerals

from water bodies and soil are again taken up by
green plants along with solar energy to make their
food. This process is repeated again and again. This
leads to continuous functioning of the ecosystem .
 Linkages and Interactions in an
ecosystem

1. Nitrogen cycle

2. Carbon and Oxygen cycle

3. Biogeochemical cycle

4. Hydrological cycle

5. Phosphorous Cycle
Nitrogen Cycle
• Nitrogen cycle can be affected by man in five
major ways:
– Fertilizer production (mainly nitrates and ammonium salts) to
grow more food by increasing yields, and replenishing lost
nitrogen from the soil.
– Burning of fossil fuels in cars, power plants, and heating
which puts nitrogen dioxide into the atmosphere.
– Increasing animals wastes (nitrates) from more people and
from livestock and poultry grown in ranches.
– Increased sewage flows from industry and urbanization.
– Increased erosion of and runoff nearby streams, lakes and
rivers from cultivation, irrigation, agricultural wastes, mining,
urbanization and poor land use.
Biogeochemical cycle
We know that no living organism can live in isolation. We cannot
survive without producers in nature. All living beings depend on
other living beings in the biological community. Not only they
are dependent on one another, but also each of them exist in a
certain proportion. This creates a complete balance in nature
amongst living organisms. This is evident from the study of food
chains which operate between living organisms.
The balance between the living beings and also with
the non- living environment is called the Ecological
Balance or simply a Balance in Nature.
Unfortunately, however human activities have upset
the ecological balance in nature, so it is more
essential that balance in nature should be established
soon because it is essential for our own existence .
Diversion of forest lands for other purposes have to
be prevented. Reckless cutting of forests need to be
checked. Steps have to be taken to stop shifting
practice of cultivation. Forest fire is another cause
of forest depletion which needs to be controlled
effectively. Afforestation has to be taken up
effectively.
It is believed that if forest destruction is not checked then there
is a fear that many birds and animals may become extinct. There
must be a control over ruthless hunting. Suitable laws are to be
made against it. National parks, biosphere reserves and
zoological parks are to be set up to safe guard the lives of wild
animals and birds.
Forests are important components of our environment. Rapid
destruction of this important resource is a cause of concern.
 Afforestation, preventing reckless cutting of trees and making
everyone aware of the need to conserve it will help forest conservation.
Nature enjoys ecological balance only if the relative number of species
is not disturbed. So, conservation of wildlife is important for the future.
National parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves are
established to protect and conserve wildlife.
Such measures would ensure that the wildlife does not become extinct.
Conservation of aquatic life would be ensured by removal of industries
near water bodies.
Awareness about ecosystem conservation
can be done by posters, competitions about
ecosystem conservation, arranging T.V.
programmes and websites related to
ecosystems.
If all mankind were to disappear,
The world would regenerate back to the rich state of equilibrium
That existed ten thousand years ago.
If insects were to vanish,
The environment would collapse into chaos(disorderliness).

THANK YOU
 1. What is the ecosystem?
The ecosystem is the community of living organisms in conjunction with
non-living components of their environment, interacting as a system.
2. What are the different types of ecosystems?
The different types of the ecosystem include:
Terrestrial ecosystem, Forest ecosystem, Grassland ecosystem, Desert
ecosystem
Tundra ecosystem, Freshwater ecosystem, Marine ecosystem
3. Which ecosystem do we live in?
We live in a terrestrial ecosystem. This is the ecosystem where organisms
interact on landforms. Examples of terrestrial ecosystems include tundra,
taigas, and tropical rainforests. Deserts, grasslands and temperate
deciduous forests also constitute terrestrial ecosystems.
4. What is the structure of the ecosystem?
The structure of the ecosystem includes the organisms and physical
features of the environment, including the amount and distribution of
nutrients in a particular habitat. It also provides information regarding
the climatic conditions of that area.
 5. Which is the largest ecosystem in the world?
The largest ecosystem in the world is the aquatic ecosystem. It
comprises freshwater and marine ecosystem. It constitutes 70% of
the surface of the earth.
6. What is the major function of an ecosystem?
The ecosystem is the functional unit of the environment system.
The abiotic components provide the matrix for the synthesis of
organic components. This process involves the exchange of
energy.
7. What makes a good ecosystem?
A good ecosystem consists of native plants and animal species
interacting with each other and the environment. A healthy
ecosystem has an energy source and the decomposers that break
down dead plants and animal matter, returning essential nutrients
to the soil.
8. What all include the non-living things in an ecosystem?
The non-living things in an ecosystem include air, wind, water,
rocks, soil, temperature and sunlight. These are known as the