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. 2.Decomposition.

Energy Flow. 4.Nutrient 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. Plt.sps 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 inorg.subs.like 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& inorg.subs.to get ppted.

C. Catabolism:-Extra cellular digestion by Bacterial &Fungal enzymes leads to humification &

mineralization.

The above3 work simultaneously on detritus

Humification:- is slow accu.of 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 inorg.nutrients by

mineralization.

FACTORS

Decomposition is largely an O2 req.process. Rate of decomposition dep.upon

(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 org.to 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 aq.ecosys.GFC 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 inc.beyond 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/unprod.energy

(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.