Ecosystem, composition, structure and functions of ecosystems

Ecosystem, composition, structure and functions of ecosystems

1. Module – 1 ENVIRONMENT AND ECOSYSTEM 1.1 Concept of Environmental System 1.2 Natural and Anthropogenic Environment 1.3 Components of Natural Environment 1.4 Concept and components of Ecosystem 1.5 Structure and composition of ecosystem 1.6 Functions of ecosystem 1.7 Importance of Environmental studies

2. Concepts of Ecosphere and Ecology Definition - “The Biosphere of the planet earth or any other planet where living organism interact with their surrounding environment is called ecosphere ” Ecosphere = Biosphere = Earth Hence the planet earth can also be considered as the largest ecosphere . The science that studies interactions among the ecosphere is known as “Ecology” . E. Hackel (1869)

3. Interactions between organisms with its abiotic surrounding:

4. Concept of Ecosystem The term ecosystem was coined by popular ecologist A. G. Tansley in the year 1935. Definition of Ecosystem - “A natural unit consisting of plants, animals and micro-organisms and the area functioning together with non – living physical factors of environment is called ecosystem. ” “Ecosystem is a basic functional unit of the natural environment”

5. Characteristics of Ecosystem Ecosystem includes living organisms and non-living components in given area. Continuous interactions takes place within living organisms and their abiotic surrounding. Functional unit. Ecosystem is an open system (continuous input and output of matter and energy). Ecosystems varies in size. Well defined and structured natural system.

6. Abiotic Components of the Ecosystem Sunlight Sunlight is the source of energy for all elements of ecosystem. Solar energy helps in functioning the ecosystem. Soil provides foundation for growth of plants and also micro-organisms. Soil

7. The climatic elements like temperature and rainfall are fundamental in all interactions of the ecosystem. In fact these climatic elements themselves are inseparable part of the ecosystem. Temperature and Rainfall

8. Water Ocean currents Water is essential for existence of not just ecosystems but also the whole biosphere. Ocean currents (cold and warm) play significant role in aquatic ecosystems by changing sea water temperatures.

9. Chemical elements Chemical compounds such as phosphorus, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, water etc. They cycles through the ecosystems in form of bio-geo-chemical cycles and hence play significant role in the energy flow of ecosystems.

10. Biotic Components of the Ecosystem Producers / Autotrophs All green plants and some photosynthesizing bacteria produce their own food through “Photosynthesis”. Producers forms the first stage of energy floe in the ecosystem.

11. All those life forms which depend upon producers for their food are known as consumers or heterotrophs . They can be classified in to ; primary, secondary and tertiary consumers. Consumers / Heterotrophs

12. Herbivors Carnivors Omnivors Detrivors / saprotrophs omnivors eat both vegetation and flesh Herbivors eat plants Carnivors eat flesh of animals detrivors eat dead bodies of plants and animals.

13. Decomposers Decomposers disintegrate dead bodies of plant and animals and covert complex materials in to simple nutrients. These nutrients are further used as manures by the plants to grow. Hence, decomposers play important role in energy cycling.

14. Summary: Ecosphere is the part of biosphere wherein living and non-living elements interact continuously. Ecology is the study of interactions between living and non-living elements of ecosphere. Ecosystem is the smallest spatial unit of ecosphere. Components of ecosystem. Abiotic components Biotic Components

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