Exploring the Basics of Ecological Systems

INTRODUCTION
SAHIL RAJ SRIVASTAVA[BCA] 22120015
PARDUM KUMAR PASI [BCA] 22120025
 AGEND
• Introduction to EcosystemsA
• Importance of Ecosystem
• Components of Ecosystems
• Energy Flow in Ecosystems
• Trophic Interactions
• Nutrient Cycling
• Biodiversity
• Future Challenges and Opportunities
• Conclusion
 Introduction to Ecosystem

The ecosystem term was first coined by an ecologist Arthur Tansley in 1935. The
ecosystem is a balance or equilibrium between living and non-living factors of the
ecosystem where they tend to interact with each other. All living things, including
plants, animals, and microorganisms, depend on non-living substances to survive
and maintain the equilibrium of the natural environment.

OR

Ecosystems are dynamic communities where various organisms, ranging from

plants to animals, interact with each other and their physical surroundings. It's like
a bustling city where different species coexist and depend on each other for
survival.
 IMPORTANCE OF ECOSYSTEM

 provide a home for a diverse range of plant and animal species.

 support a variety of food chains and food webs.

 regulate crucial ecological processes and support life.

 play a key role in the nutrient cycle, linking biotic and abiotic components.

Ecosystems provide essential services that are vital for human well-
being and the functioning of the planet:

1.Food Production: Ecosystems support agriculture, fisheries, and other food production systems.
They provide the resources and conditions necessary for the growth of crops and the breeding of
livestock, ensuring a stable food supply for human consumption.
2.Water Purification: Ecosystems play a critical role in purifying water
through natural processes such as filtration, absorption, and decomposition.
Wetlands, forests, and other ecosystems act as natural filters, removing
pollutants and improving water quality for drinking, irrigation, and other uses.

3.Climate Regulation: Ecosystems help regulate the Earth's climate by

sequestering carbon dioxide, releasing oxygen, and influencing weather
patterns. Forests, oceans, and other ecosystems act as carbon sinks, absorbing
and storing carbon from the atmosphere. They also help mitigate the impacts
of climate change by buffering against extreme weather events and
maintaining temperature stability.
COMPONENT OF ECOSYSYTEM
Components of Ecosystems
Biotic Components:

Living organisms within ecosystems play vital roles in shaping the

ecosystem's structure and functioning:

1.Producers: These are organisms, mainly plants, that produce their

food through photosynthesis. They convert sunlight into energy and
are the foundation of the food chain, providing energy for other
organisms.

2.Consumers: Consumers are organisms that cannot produce their

food and rely on consuming other organisms for energy. They can be
further categorized into primary consumers (herbivores), secondary
consumers (carnivores), and tertiary consumers (top predators).

3.Decomposers: Decomposers are organisms, such as bacteria and

fungi, that break down dead organic matter into simpler substances.
They play a crucial role in recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem,
making them available for use by producers.
Abiotic Components:

Non-living factors also significantly influence ecosystem dynamics and functioning:

1.Sunlight: Sunlight is the primary source of energy for most ecosystems. It drives
photosynthesis in plants, which forms the basis of the food chain.

2.Soil: Soil provides physical support for plants and serves as a medium for nutrient
uptake. It also harbors a diverse community of organisms that contribute to nutrient
cycling.

3.Water: Water is essential for life and is involved in various ecosystem processes,
including photosynthesis, nutrient transport, and habitat formation.

4.Temperature: Temperature influences the distribution and activity of organisms

within ecosystems. It affects metabolic rates, reproduction, and other physiological
processes.

5.Nutrients: Nutrients such as carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are

essential for the growth and development of organisms within ecosystems. They are
cycled through the ecosystem in biogeochemical cycles, moving between living and
non-living components.
 Energy Flow in Ecosystems

Energy Source:
Sunlight serves as the primary source of energy for most ecosystems. Through a process called
photosynthesis, green plants, algae, and some bacteria capture sunlight and convert it into chemical
energy in the form of glucose. This process occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where
chlorophyll, a pigment that absorbs light, facilitates the conversion of carbon dioxide and water into
glucose and oxygen.

Trophic Levels:
Energy flows through ecosystems in a hierarchical manner, moving through different trophic levels:
1.Producers (Autotrophs): Producers, such as green plants, algae, and some bacteria, are the
primary energy converters in ecosystems. They harness sunlight energy through photosynthesis to
produce organic compounds like glucose.
2.Primary Consumers (Herbivores): Primary consumers are organisms that feed directly on
producers. They include herbivores such as rabbits, deer, and insects that consume plants for
energy.
3.Secondary Consumers (Carnivores): Secondary consumers are organisms that feed on primary
consumers. They include carnivores such as wolves, lions, and snakes that consume herbivores for
energy.
4.Tertiary Consumers (Top Predators): Tertiary consumers are predators at the top of the
food chain that feed on secondary consumers. They may include apex predators like sharks,
eagles, and large carnivores.
5.Decomposers (Detritivores): Decomposers break down organic matter from dead plants
and animals into simpler compounds. They include bacteria, fungi, and detritivores like
earthworms and scavengers. Decomposers play a crucial role in recycling nutrients back into
the ecosystem, making them available for use by producers.
Illustrating the flow of energy through trophic levels helps us understand how energy is
transferred and transformed within ecosystems. It highlights the interconnectedness of
organisms and the dependence of higher trophic levels on the energy produced by lower
trophic levels.
 Exploring Trophic
Interactions in Ecosystems

Food Webs: Food webs illustrate

the intricate interconnectedness of organisms
within ecosystems, showcasing the flow of
energy and nutrients from one organism to
another. They depict the various feeding
relationships, from producers to consumers and
decomposers, highlighting the dynamic nature
of ecosystems.
Trophic Cascades: Trophic cascades refer to the ripple effects caused by changes in one
trophic level that propagate throughout the ecosystem. For instance, alterations in predator
populations can lead to shifts in prey abundance, which in turn affect lower trophic levels and
ultimately influence the entire ecosystem. Understanding trophic cascades is essential for
managing and conserving ecosystems effectively, as they demonstrate the interconnectedness
and vulnerability of ecological systems to disturbances.
 Nutrient Cycle
“A nutrient cycle is defined as the cyclic pathway by which nutrients
pass-through, in order to be recycled and reutilised. The pathway
comprises cells, organisms, community and ecosystem.”
THE 4 MAIN NUTRIENT CYCLES ARE:
• CARBON CYCLE
• NITROGEN CYCLE
• OXYGEN CYCLE
• WATER CYCLE

1.Carbon Cycle
Carbon is the main constituent of all the living cells. All the
organic matter and biomolecules contain carbon.
2. Nitrogen Cycle
Nitrogen is also an essential component of
life. Nitrogen cannot be directly utilised
by living organisms and has to be
converted to other forms.

3. Oxygen Cycle
Oxygen is essential for life. Aquatic
organisms are dependent on oxygen
dissolved in water. Oxygen is required for
decomposition of biodegradable waste
products.

4. Hydrologic or Water Cycle

Water is an essential element for life to
exist on earth.
 BIODIVERSITY
Biodiversity describes the richness and variety of life on earth. It is the
most complex and important feature of our planet. Without biodiversity, life
would not sustain.

Biodiversity holds ecological and economic significance. It provides us with

nourishment, housing, fuel, clothing and several other resources. It also
extracts monetary benefits through tourism. Therefore, it is very important to
have a good knowledge of biodiversity for a sustainable livelihood.
Types of Biodiversity
There are the following three different types of biodiversity:

•Genetic Biodiversity

•Species Biodiversity

•Ecological Biodiversity
 •Genetic Diversity: This refers to the variety of genes within a species.
Genetic diversity is crucial for adaptation and resilience to environmental
changes.
•Species Diversity: Species diversity refers to the variety of different
species present in an ecosystem. It includes both the number of species and
their relative abundance.
•Ecosystem Diversity: Ecosystem diversity refers to the variety of
ecosystems or habitats present in a region. It includes different types of forests,
grasslands, wetlands, and marine environments.
Importance of Biodiversity
Biodiversity and its maintenance are very important for
sustaining life on earth. A few of the reasons explaining the
importance of biodiversity are:
Economic Importance
Ecological Stability
Ethical Importance
 Future Challenges and Opportunities
Emerging Issues:

1.Climate Change: Climate change poses one of the most significant threats to ecosystems
worldwide. Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and extreme weather
events disrupt ecosystems, leading to habitat loss, species extinction, and altered ecological
dynamics.

2.Invasive Species: Invasive species, introduced intentionally or unintentionally by human

activities, can outcompete native species, disrupt ecosystem processes, and cause
ecological imbalances. They threaten biodiversity, ecosystem stability, and the services
provided by ecosystems.

3.Habitat Fragmentation: Habitat fragmentation, caused by urbanization, deforestation,

and infrastructure development, divides ecosystems into smaller, isolated patches. This
fragmentation reduces habitat quality, restricts species movement, and increases the
vulnerability of ecosystems to further degradation.
Opportunities:

1.Technological Advancements: Advances in technology, such as

remote sensing, genetic engineering, and data analytics, offer
opportunities to monitor and manage ecosystems more effectively. Remote
sensing technologies provide real-time data on ecosystem dynamics, while
genetic engineering techniques can help restore degraded ecosystems
and mitigate the impacts of invasive species.
2.Community Engagement: Engaging local communities and
stakeholders in ecosystem management and conservation efforts can
foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and stewardship. Community-
based conservation initiatives empower individuals and communities to
participate in decision-making processes, implement sustainable practices,
and protect local biodiversity.
3.Policy and Governance: Strengthening policies and governance
frameworks at local, national, and international levels is essential for
addressing emerging challenges and seizing opportunities for ecosystem
conservation and sustainable management. Integrated approaches that
consider social, economic, and environmental factors are needed to
promote resilience and adaptive capacity in the face of environmental
change.
 Human Impact on Ecosystems

Human activities have significantly altered ecosystems worldwide,

leading to profound environmental changes and threats to
biodiversity. Some key aspects of human impact on ecosystems
include:

Pollution: Pollution from industrial, agricultural, and domestic sources contaminates air,
water, and soil, posing serious threats to ecosystem health.
Habitat Destruction: The conversion of natural habitats for agriculture, urbanization,
infrastructure development, and resource extraction has led to widespread habitat loss
and fragmentation
Climate Change: Human-induced climate change, primarily driven by greenhouse gas
emissions from burning fossil fuels and deforestation, is altering global climate patterns
and exacerbating environmental stresses on ecosystems.
Overexploitation of Natural Resources: Unsustainable exploitation of natural
resources, including overfishing, deforestation, and extraction of minerals and fossil
fuels, threatens the integrity and resilience of ecosystems.
1.Definition: Ecosystems are dynamic communities where living organisms interact with each other and their
physical environment.
2.Importance: Ecosystems provide essential services such as food production, water purification, and climate
regulation, which are vital for the well-being of both humans and the planet.
3.Components: Ecosystems comprise biotic (living organisms) and abiotic (non-living factors) components,
working together in complex ways to maintain balance and functionality.
4.Energy Flow: Energy flows through ecosystems in trophic levels, from producers to consumers and
decomposers, driving the processes of life.
5.Nutrient Cycling: Nutrients cycle through ecosystems, moving between living organisms and the
environment, ensuring the availability of essential elements for life.
6.Biodiversity: Biodiversity encompasses the variety of life forms within ecosystems, including genetic
diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity, and is essential for ecosystem resilience and stability.
7.Human Impact: Human activities have significant impacts on ecosystems, including habitat destruction,
pollution, climate change, and the introduction of invasive species, threatening the health and integrity of
ecosystems worldwide.