&<–2/”>a >nbsp;
ENERGY FLOW- Energy is the basic force responsible for all metabolic activities. The flow of energy from producer to top consumers is called energy flow which is unidirectional.
Energy flows through the trophic levels: from producers to subsequent trophic levels. There is a loss of some energy in the form of unusable heat at each trophic level.
The trophic level interaction involves three concepts namely :-
- Food Chain
- Food Web
- Ecological Pyramids
- FOOD CHAIN- A food chain starts with producers and ends with top carnivores. The sequence of eaten and being eaten, produces transfer of food energy and it is known as food chain.
Grazing food chain-The consumers which start the food chain, utilising the plant or plant part as their food, constitute the grazing food chain.
This food chain begins from green Plants at the base and the primary consumer is herbivore
For example, In terestrial ecosystem, grass is eaten up by caterpillar, which is eaten by lizard and lizard is eaten by snake.
In AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM phytoplanktons (primary producers) is eaten by zoo planktons which is eaten by fishes and fishes are eaten by pelicans
Detritus food chain- The food chain starts from dead organic matter of decaying animals and plant bodies to the micro-organisms and then to detritus feeding organism called detrivores or decomposer and to other predators.
Litter —■Earthworms —■Chicken—■Hawk
Detritus food chain
The distinction between these two food chains is the Source Of Energy for the first level consumers.
- FOOD WEB
“A food web illustrates, all possible transfers of energy and nutrients among the organisms in an ecosystem, whereas a food chain traces only one pathway of the food”.
- ECOLOGICAL PYRAMIDS
The steps of trophic levels expressed in a diagrammatic way are referred as
ecological pyramids.
The food producer forms the base of the pyramid and the top carnivore forms the tip. Other consumer trophic levels are in between.
The pyramid consists of a number of horizontal bars depicting specific trophic levels which are arranged sequentially from primary producer level through herbivore, carnivore onwards. The length of each bar represents the total number of individuals at each trophic level in an ecosystem.
The ecological pyramids are of three categories-
1.Pyramid of numbers,
2.Pyramid of Biomass/”>Biomass, and
3.Pyramid of energy or productivity
- Pyramid of Numbers
This deals with the relationship between the numbers of primary producers and consumers of different levels. Depending upon the size and biomass, the pyramid of numbers may not always be upright, and may even be completely inverted.
(a) Pyramid of numbers – upright
In this pyramid, the number of individuals is decreased from lower level to higher trophic level.
This type of pyramid can be seen in Grassland ecosystem.
(b) Pyramid of numbers – inverted
In this pyramid, the number of individuals is increased from lower level to higher trophic level.
A count in a forest would have a small number of large producers, for e.g. few number of big trees. This is because the tree (primary producer) being
few in number and would represent the base of the pyramid and the dependent herbivores (Example – Birds) in the next higher trophic level and it is followed by parasites in the next trophic level. Hyper parasites being at higher trophic level represents higher in number.
A pyramid of numbers does not take into account the fact that the size of organisms being counted in each trophic level can vary
the pyramid of number does not completely define the trophic structure for an ecosystem.
- Pyramid of Biomass
In this approach individuals in each trophic level are weighed instead of being counted. This gives us a pyramid of biomass, i.e., the total dry weight of all organisms at each trophic level at a particular time.
Biomass is measured in g/m2.
(a) Upward -pyramid For most Ecosystems on land, the pyramid of biomass has a large base of primary producers with a smaller trophic level perched on top
(b) Inverted pyramid-In contrast, in many aquatic ecosystems, the pyramid of biomass may assume an inverted form
- Pyramid of Energy
To compare the functional roles of the trophic levels in an ecosystem, an energy pyramid is most suitable.
An energy pyramid, reflects the laws of Thermodynamics, with conversion of Solar Energy to chemical energy and heat energy at each trophic level and with loss of energy being depicted at each transfer to another trophic level.
Hence the pyramid is always upward, with a large energy base at the bottom.,
Ecosystems are complex systems that are made up of living and non-living things. The living things in an ecosystem are called biotic factors, while the non-living things are called abiotic factors. Biotic factors include plants, animals, and Microorganisms, while abiotic factors include water, air, Soil, and sunlight.
The biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem interact in a variety of ways. For example, plants use sunlight to produce food, which animals then eat. Animals also help to pollinate plants, which is necessary for plants to reproduce. The soil in an ecosystem provides nutrients for plants, while the water in an ecosystem helps to regulate the temperature and provides a habitat for many different organisms.
Ecosystems are important because they provide us with many essential Services. For example, ecosystems help to regulate the Climate, provide us with food and water, and clean the air and water. Ecosystems also play an important role in the cycling of nutrients and the production of Oxygen.
There are many different types of ecosystems, each with its own unique set of biotic and abiotic factors. Some common types of ecosystems include forests, grasslands, deserts, wetlands, and Oceans.
Forests are ecosystems that are dominated by trees. Forests provide us with many important Resources, including wood, paper, and medicine. Forests also play an important role in the regulation of the climate and the cycling of nutrients.
Grasslands are ecosystems that are dominated by Grasses. Grasslands provide us with food, such as wheat and corn, and they also play an important role in the regulation of the climate.
Deserts are ecosystems that receive very little rainfall. Deserts are home to many different types of plants and animals that have adapted to the harsh conditions. Deserts play an important role in the cycling of nutrients and the production of oxygen.
Wetlands are ecosystems that are dominated by water. Wetlands provide us with many important services, such as flood control, water purification, and habitat for wildlife. Wetlands also play an important role in the cycling of nutrients.
Oceans are ecosystems that cover most of the Earth’s surface. Oceans provide us with food, such as fish and shellfish, and they also play an important role in the regulation of the climate.
Ecosystems are essential for life on Earth. They provide us with many essential services, and they play an important role in the cycling of nutrients and the production of oxygen. We must protect our ecosystems so that they can continue to provide us with these essential services.
Here are some specific examples of how ecosystems provide us with essential services:
- Forests help to regulate the climate by absorbing carbon dioxide from the Atmosphere.
- Grasslands help to prevent soil erosion by holding the soil in place with their roots.
- Deserts provide a home for many different types of plants and animals that have adapted to the harsh conditions.
- Wetlands help to filter water and prevent flooding.
- Oceans provide us with food, such as fish and shellfish, and they also play an important role in the regulation of the climate.
We must protect our ecosystems so that they can continue to provide us with these essential services. We can do this by reducing our impact on the Environment, such as by conserving energy and water, and by recycling and reusing materials. We can also support organizations that are working to protect ecosystems.
What is an ecosystem?
An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with the non-living environment around them.
What are the different types of ecosystems?
There are many different types of ecosystems, including forests, grasslands, deserts, oceans, and freshwater ecosystems.
What are the functions of an ecosystem?
Ecosystems provide many important functions, including:
- Providing food and shelter for living organisms
- Regulating the climate
- Cleaning the air and water
- Storing carbon
- Providing genetic resources
What are the threats to ecosystems?
Ecosystems are threatened by a number of factors, including:
- Habitat loss and fragmentation
- Overexploitation of resources
- Pollution
- Climate Change
What can we do to protect ecosystems?
We can protect ecosystems by:
- Conserving and restoring habitats
- Reducing our consumption of resources
- Reducing pollution
- Mitigating climate change
What are the benefits of protecting ecosystems?
Protecting ecosystems provides many benefits, including:
- Maintaining Biodiversity-2/”>Biodiversity
- Providing food and water security
- Reducing the risk of natural disasters
- Promoting human Health and well-being
What are the challenges of protecting ecosystems?
Protecting ecosystems is challenging because:
- Ecosystems are complex and interconnected
- Human activities often have negative impacts on ecosystems
- There is often a lack of political will to protect ecosystems
What is the future of ecosystems?
The future of ecosystems is uncertain. If we do not take action to protect them, they are at risk of collapse. However, if we take steps to conserve and restore them, they can provide many benefits for future generations.
Question 1
Which of the following is not a function of an ecosystem?
(A) Production
(B) Consumption
(C) Decomposition
(D) Disintegration
Answer
(D) Disintegration is not a function of an ecosystem. The other three Options are all functions of an ecosystem.
Question 2
The process by which plants use sunlight to create food is called:
(A) Photosynthesis
(B) Cellular Respiration
(C) Transpiration
(D) Evaporation
Answer
(A) Photosynthesis is the process by which plants use sunlight to create food. The other three options are not processes that plants use to create food.
Question 3
The process by which animals eat plants or other animals is called:
(A) Photosynthesis
(B) Cellular respiration
(C) Consumption
(D) Decomposition
Answer
(C) Consumption is the process by which animals eat plants or other animals. The other three options are not processes that animals use to get food.
Question 4
The process by which dead organisms are broken down into smaller Molecules is called:
(A) Photosynthesis
(B) Cellular respiration
(C) Decomposition
(D) Disintegration
Answer
(C) Decomposition is the process by which dead organisms are broken down into smaller molecules. The other three options are not processes that break down dead organisms.
Question 5
The flow of energy through an ecosystem is called:
(A) The food chain
(B) The food web
(C) The energy pyramid
(D) The trophic level
Answer
(A) The food chain is the flow of energy through an ecosystem. The other three options are not flows of energy through an ecosystem.
Question 6
A group of organisms that are all at the same trophic level is called:
(A) A Population
(B) A community
(C) A food chain
(D) A trophic level
Answer
(D) A trophic level is a group of organisms that are all at the same trophic level. The other three options are not groups of organisms that are all at the same trophic level.
Question 7
The relationship between two or more species that live in the same area is called:
(A) An interaction
(B) An association
(C) A symbiosis
(D) A competition
Answer
(A) An interaction is the relationship between two or more species that live in the same area. The other three options are not relationships between two or more species that live in the same area.
Question 8
A relationship between two species in which one species benefits and the other species is not harmed is called:
(A) Commensalism
(B) Mutualism
(C) Parasitism
(D) Competition
Answer
(A) Commensalism is a relationship between two species in which one species benefits and the other species is not harmed. The other three options are not relationships in which one species benefits and the other species is not harmed.
Question 9
A relationship between two species in which one species benefits and the other species is harmed is called:
(A) Commensalism
(B) Mutualism
(C) Parasitism
(D) Competition
Answer
(C) Parasitism is a relationship between two species in which one species benefits and the other species is harmed. The other three options are not relationships in which one species benefits and the other species is harmed.
Question 10
A relationship between two species in which both species benefit is called:
(A) Commensalism
(B) Mutualism
(C) Parasitism
(D) Competition
Answer
(B) Mutualism is a relationship between two species in which both species benefit. The other three options are not relationships in which both species benefit.