<–2/”>a >Eco-System-An ecosystem is defined as a structural and functional unit of Biosphere consisting of community of living beings and the physical Environment, both interacting and exchanging materials between them. It includes Plants, trees, animals, fish, birds, micro-organisms, water, Soil, and people.
When an ecosystem is healthy (i.e. sustainable) it means that all the Elements live in balance and are capable of reproducing themselves
The components of the ecosystem is categorised into abiotic of non-living and biotic of living components. Both the components of ecosystem and environment are same.
- Abiotic Components
the inorganic and non-living parts of the world. consists of soil, water, air, and Light energy etc. involves a ,large number of chemicals like Oxygen, nitrogen-, etc. and physical processes including Volcanoes-2/”>Volcanoes, Earthquakes, floods, forest fires, climates, and weather conditions.
Abiotic factors are the most important determinants of where and how well an organism exists in its environment. Although these factors interact with each other, one single factor can-limit the range of an organism.
- a) Energy
Energy from the sun is essential for maintenance of life. Energy determines the distribution of organisms in the environment.
- b) Rainfall
- c) Temperature :-Temperature is a critical factor of the environment which greatly influences survival of organisms. Organisms can tolerate only a certain range of temperature and humidity.
- d) Atmosphere :It is made up of 21% oxygen, 78% nitrogen , 0.038% carbon dioxide and other inert gases (0.93% Argon, Neon etc).
- e) Substratum :Land is covered by soil and a wide variety of microbes, protozoa, Fungi and small animals (invertebrates) thrive in it
- f) Materials:
(i) Organic compound
Such as proteins, Carbohydrates, lipids, humic substances are formed from inorganic compound on decomposition.
(ii) Inorganic compound
Such as carbon, carbon dioxide, water, sulphur, nitrates, phosphates, and ions of various metals are essential for organisms to survive.
- g) Latitude and altitude
Latitude has a strong influence on an area’s temperature, resulting in change of climates such as polar, tropical, and temperate. These climates determine different natural biomes. From sea level to highest peaks, wild life is influenced by altitude. As the altitude increases, the air becomes colder and drier, affecting wild life accordingly.( wild life decrease as altitude increase)
- Biotic Components :Biotic components include living organisms comprising plants, animals and microbes and are classified according to their functional attributes into producers and consumers.
Primary producers – Autotrophs (self-nourishing) Primary producers are basically green plants (and certain bacteria and algae). They synthesise carbohydrate from simple inorganic raw materials like carbon dioxide and water in the presence of sunlight by the process of Photosynthesis for themselves, and supply indirectly to other non- producers.
In terrestrial ecosystem, producers are basically herbaceous and woody plants, while in AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM producers are various species of microscopic algae.
- b) Consumers — Heterotrophs or phagotrophs (other nourishing)
Consumers are incapable of producing their own food (photosynthesis).
They depend on organic food derived from plants, animals or both.
Consumers can be divided into two broad groups
(i) Macro consumers- They feed on plants or animals or both and are categorised on the basis of their food sources.
Herbivores are primary consumers which feed mainly on plants e.g. cow, rabbit.
Secondary consumers feed on primary consumers e.g. wolves.
Carnivores which feed on secondary consumers are called tertiary consumers e.g. lions which can eat wolves.
Omnivores are organisms which consume both plants and animals e.g. man.
(ii) Micro consumers – Saprotrophs (decomposers or osmotrophs)
They are bacteria and fungi which obtain energy and nutrients by decomposing dead organic substances (detritus) of plant and animal origin.
The products of decomposition such as inorganic nutrients which are released in the ecosystem are reused by producers and thus recycled.
Earthworm and certain soil organisms (such as nematodes, and arthropods) are detritus feeders and help in the decomposition of organic matter and are called detrivores.
,
An ecosystem is a community of living organisms and the non-living environment with which they interact. The living organisms are called biotic factors, while the non-living factors are called abiotic factors.
The components of an ecosystem can be divided into two main groups: biotic and abiotic. Biotic factors are the living things in an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, and Microorganisms. Abiotic factors are the non-living things in an ecosystem, such as air, water, soil, and sunlight.
There are many different types of Ecosystems, each with its own unique set of biotic and abiotic factors. Some examples of ecosystems include forests, grasslands, deserts, Oceans, and freshwater lakes.
The structure of an ecosystem refers to the way in which the biotic and abiotic factors are arranged. The structure of an ecosystem can be described in terms of its physical structure, its trophic structure, and its functional structure.
The physical structure of an ecosystem refers to the way in which the abiotic factors are arranged. For example, the physical structure of a forest would include the trees, the soil, and the air.
The trophic structure of an ecosystem refers to the way in which the biotic factors are arranged in a food chain or food web. A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms in which each organism eats the organism below it. A food web is a more complex Network of food chains.
The functional structure of an ecosystem refers to the way in which the biotic factors interact with each other and with the abiotic factors. For example, the functional structure of a forest would include the way in which the trees provide food and shelter for the animals, and the way in which the animals help to pollinate the plants.
The function of an ecosystem refers to the way in which the biotic and abiotic factors interact to produce a stable and self-sustaining system. The FUNCTIONS OF AN ECOSYSTEM include energy flow, nutrient cycling, and decomposition.
Energy flow is the process by which energy moves through an ecosystem. Energy enters an ecosystem from the sun, and it is then passed from organism to organism through the food chain.
Nutrient cycling is the process by which nutrients are recycled within an ecosystem. Nutrients are essential for life, and they are constantly being used up and released back into the environment.
Decomposition is the process by which dead organisms are broken down into their component parts. Decomposers, such as bacteria and fungi, play an important role in the ecosystem by recycling nutrients.
Ecosystems are important because they provide us with many essential Services. These services include:
- Food: Ecosystems provide us with food, such as fruits, vegetables, and meat.
- Water: Ecosystems help to regulate the water cycle, which provides us with fresh water.
- Air: Ecosystems help to clean the air and regulate the Climate.
- Soil: Ecosystems help to create and maintain soil, which is essential for agriculture.
- Recreation: Ecosystems provide us with places to relax and enjoy nature.
Ecosystems are threatened by a number of factors, including:
- Habitat loss: Habitat loss is the destruction or degradation of an ecosystem’s habitat. This can be caused by human activities, such as deforestation, agriculture, and development.
- Pollution: Pollution is the introduction of harmful substances into an ecosystem. This can be caused by human activities, such as industrial pollution and agricultural runoff.
- Climate Change: Climate change is the long-term change in the Earth’s climate. This can cause changes in temperature, Precipitation, and sea level, which can have a negative impact on ecosystems.
We can conserve ecosystems by:
- Protecting habitats: We can protect habitats by creating Protected Areas, such as national parks and nature reserves.
- Reducing pollution: We can reduce pollution by reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and by using cleaner energy sources.
- Adapting to climate change: We can adapt to climate change by planting trees, which can help to reduce carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.
Ecosystems are essential for life on Earth. We must protect them so that they can continue to provide us with the many essential services that they do.
What is an ecosystem?
An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (plants, animals, and microorganisms) in Conjunction with the nonliving components of their environment (air, water, soil, sunlight, and Minerals) interacting as a system.
What are the different types of ecosystems?
There are many different types of ecosystems, but some of the most common include:
- Forests: Forests are ecosystems that are dominated by trees. They can be found in many different parts of the world, and they play an important role in the Earth’s climate.
- Grasslands: Grasslands are ecosystems that are dominated by Grasses. They can be found in many different parts of the world, and they are important for grazing animals.
- Deserts: Deserts are ecosystems that are characterized by low rainfall and high temperatures. They can be found in many different parts of the world, and they are home to a variety of plants and animals that have adapted to the harsh conditions.
- Tundra: Tundra is an ecosystem that is found in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. It is characterized by low temperatures, short growing seasons, and permafrost (permanently frozen ground). Tundra is home to a variety of plants and animals that have adapted to the harsh conditions.
- Oceans: Oceans are ecosystems that cover more than 70% of the Earth’s surface. They are home to a vast array of plants and animals, and they play an important role in the Earth’s climate.
- Lakes: Lakes are ecosystems that are found on land. They can be freshwater or saltwater, and they are home to a variety of plants and animals.
- Rivers: Rivers are ecosystems that flow through the land. They can be freshwater or saltwater, and they are home to a variety of plants and animals.
- Wetlands: Wetlands are ecosystems that are characterized by the presence of water. They can be found in many different parts of the world, and they play an important role in the Earth’s climate.
What are the components of an ecosystem?
The components of an ecosystem can be divided into two groups: biotic and abiotic. Biotic components are living things, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms. Abiotic components are nonliving things, such as air, water, soil, sunlight, and minerals.
What are the interactions between the components of an ecosystem?
The components of an ecosystem interact in a variety of ways. For example, plants use sunlight to produce food, animals eat plants, and microorganisms decompose dead plants and animals. These interactions are essential for the survival of the ecosystem.
What are the benefits of ecosystems?
Ecosystems provide many benefits to humans, including:
- Food: Ecosystems provide us with food, such as fruits, vegetables, meat, and fish.
- Water: Ecosystems provide us with water, which we need for drinking, bathing, and Irrigation.
- Air: Ecosystems help to clean the air we breathe.
- Climate: Ecosystems help to regulate the Earth’s climate.
- Recreation: Ecosystems provide us with places to relax and enjoy nature.
What are the threats to ecosystems?
Ecosystems are threatened by a variety of factors, including:
- Habitat loss: Habitat loss occurs when land is converted to other uses, such as agriculture or development. This can lead to the loss of plant and animal species.
- Pollution: Pollution can come from a variety of sources, such as Air Pollution, Water Pollution, and land pollution. Pollution can harm plants and animals, and it can also make the environment less livable for humans.
- Climate change: Climate change is causing the Earth’s temperature to rise. This is causing changes in weather patterns, which can lead to droughts, floods, and other natural disasters. Climate change is also causing sea levels to rise, which is threatening coastal ecosystems.
What can we do to protect ecosystems?
There are many things we can do to protect ecosystems, including:
- Reduce our impact on the environment: We can reduce our impact on the environment by conserving energy, recycling, and reducing our consumption of Resources.
- Support sustainable practices: We can support sustainable practices, such as Organic Farming and RENEWABLE ENERGY.
- Get involved in conservation efforts: We can get involved in conservation efforts by volunteering for conservation organizations or donating to conservation causes.
What is the future of ecosystems?
The future of ecosystems depends on the actions we take to protect them. If we continue to pollute the environment and destroy habitats, ecosystems will continue to decline. However, if we take steps to reduce our impact on the environment and support sustainable practices, we can help to protect ecosystems for future generations.
Which of the following is not a component of an ecosystem?
(A) Producers
(B) Consumers
(C) Decomposers
(D) SoilWhich of the following is a primary producer?
(A) A tree
(B) A rabbit
(C) A mushroom
(D) A wormWhich of the following is a secondary consumer?
(A) A grasshopper
(B) A snake
(C) A hawk
(D) A deerWhich of the following is a tertiary consumer?
(A) A lion
(B) A tiger
(C) A bear
(D) A wolfWhich of the following is a decomposer?
(A) A bacteria
(B) A fungus
(C) An earthworm
(D) A protozoanWhich of the following is a food chain?
(A) Grass â grasshopper â snake â hawk
(B) Grass â rabbit â fox â wolf
(C) Tree â caterpillar â bird â hawk
(D) Flower â bee â butterfly â birdWhich of the following is a food web?
(A) A network of interconnected food chains
(B) A series of steps in which energy is transferred from one organism to another
(C) A group of organisms that eat the same type of food
(D) A group of organisms that live in the same areaWhich of the following is a biotic factor?
(A) Water
(B) Soil
(C) Sunlight
(D) A treeWhich of the following is an abiotic factor?
(A) Temperature
(B) Rainfall
(C) Wind
(D) A rabbitWhich of the following is a limiting factor?
(A) A factor that is in short supply and prevents a Population from growing larger
(B) A factor that is in abundance and allows a population to grow larger
(C) A factor that is neither in short supply nor in abundance
(D) A factor that is not important for a population’s GrowthWhich of the following is a keystone species?
(A) A species that is not very important for an ecosystem
(B) A species that is very important for an ecosystem and whose removal would cause a large change in the ecosystem
(C) A species that is very common in an ecosystem
(D) A species that is very rare in an ecosystemWhich of the following is an invasive species?
(A) A species that is not native to an area and that causes harm to the ecosystem
(B) A species that is native to an area and that causes harm to the ecosystem
(C) A species that is not native to an area and that does not cause harm to the ecosystem
(D) A species that is native to an area and that does not cause harm to the ecosystemWhich of the following is a pollutant?
(A) A substance that is harmful to the environment
(B) A substance that is not harmful to the environment
(C) A substance that is not found in nature
(D) A substance that is found in natureWhich of the following is a greenhouse gas?
(A) Carbon dioxide
(B) Methane
(C) Nitrous oxide
(D) All of the aboveWhich of the following is a consequence of climate change?
(A) Rising sea levels
(B) More extreme weather events
(C) Melting Glaciers
(D) All of the above