ECOSYSTEM
Ecosystem is a self-sustaining, self-regulating functional unit of nature where living
organisms interact with each other & with their surroundings.
The term was coined by Sir Arthur Tansley.
Biosphere is composed of all local ecosystems on the earth, hence the highest level of
organization.
Basically 2 types of ecosystems:
a. Natural b. Manmade. Ex. Crop fields, Aquarium
(1) Terrestrial- Ex. Forest, Grassland, Desert.
(2) Aquatic-Ex. Pond, Lake, Wetland, River, Estuary
ECOSYSTEM-STRUCTURE & FUNCTION:
• Biotic & Abiotic components which interact in a physical structure that is
characteristic for each type of ecosystem.
Identification & Enumeration of the plant & animal species gives its species composition.
Vertical distribution of different species occupying different levels is called Stratification.
eg. Trees canopy-top vertical strata, Shrubs-second, Herbs & Grasses-bottom strata.
ECOSYSTEM-FUNCTIONS
All biotic & abiotic components perform their functions in an integrated manner
homeostatic ally till interrupted by man.
ECOSYSTEM-COMPONENTS: The components which function as a unit are:
1. Productivity. [Link].
Energy Flow. [Link] Cycle.
All these components are found working as a unit in any ecosystem. Ex. Pond ecosystem.
PRODUCTIVITY: Constant solar input is the basic requirement.
The rate of biomass production is called Productivity. It is expressed in terms of /g2/yr or
Kcal/m2/yr. to compare the productivity of different ecosystems.
They are of 2 types:
(I)PRIMARY: is defined as the amount of biomass or organic matter produced / unit area over a
time period by plants during photosynthesis.
It is represented in terms of wt.-/g2 or energy-Kcal/m2.
It depends upon-
1. [Link] inhabiting that particular area.
2. Various environmental factors,
3. Availability of nutrients &
4. photosynthesis capacity of plants.
GPP( Gross Primary Production)
NPP( Net Primary Production)
GPP-R=NPP which is available biomass for consumption to heterotrophs.
(2) SECONDARY: is defined as the rate of formation of new organic matter by consumers.
The annual NPP of the whole biosphere is 170 billion tons(Dry Wt.)of organic matter
Out of this the productivity of oceans is only 55 billion tons although they occupy 70% of
the earth’s surface.
DECOMPOSITION
Decomposers breakdown complex org,matter into [Link] CO 2, H2O& nutrients &
the process is called Decomposition.
Detritus is raw material for decomposition
DECOMPOSITION PROCESS:-
A. Fragmentation Of Detritus:- Detrivores- Earthworms.
B. Leaching:- Water percolates down washing away minerals& [Link] get ppted.
C. Catabolism:-Extra cellular digestion by Bacterial &Fungal enzymes leads to humification &
mineralization.
The above3 work simultaneously on detritus
Humification:- is slow [Link] humus (a dark colored amorphous subs.)in soil which is highly
resistant to microbial action & undergoes decomposition at slow rate.
It is colloidal & serves as reservoir of nutrients.
E. Mineralisation:- Humus is further degraded by microbes & release of [Link] by
mineralization.
FACTORS
Decomposition is largely an O2 [Link]. Rate of decomposition [Link]
(a)Chemical composition of detritus:
(1) Rich in sugar,& N2- quick decomposition
(2)Rich in chitin & lignin-Slow decomposition
(b) Soil: Warm, High moisture-quick decomposition
Low Temp & anaerobiosis-inhibit decomposition
(c )Climate: Intense heat- slow decomposition
Moderate temp.-quick
Low temp.(<10 0
slow
Rains-Quick decomposition.
ENERGY FLOW:
50%of incident solar radiations PAR of which plts capture 2-10%of PAR only.
The transfer of energy from producer to consumer is called food chain. It is of 2types
(1)Grazing Food Chain: From Producer to Herbivore to Carnivore.
(2)Detritus Food Chain: Dead [Link] minerals by Detrivores.
No energy that is trapped into the orgsm remains in it forever. It goes to the next level or
enters DFC.
In [Link] is the major conduit while in terrestrial it is DFC.
FOOD CHAIN
Limits of food chain:
Energy consumed at each level inc.(20-30-60%)very little energy is left. Therefore food
chains cannot [Link] a limit.
Flow of energy:10% law. It is unidirectional. Energy transferred is 10% while 90% lost is used
as follows:
(1)some used for metabolic process
(2)Rest is dissipated as heat/[Link]
(3)Unutilized net 1% is converted into detritus
ECOLOGICAL PYRAMIDS : It is graphical repre. of Trophic structures.
TYPES: (1)Straight Pyramids:
Pyramid of number:Total org./Trophic level
Pyramid of biomass:Total Wt./Trophic level Pyramid of energy:Total energy/Trophic level
(2)Inverted Pyramids:
Limitations:
1. They do not take into a/c the same sps which belong to 2or more trophic levels.
2. It doesn't accommodate food web.
3. No place for saprophytes.
