- ee 1 2 Ecosystem Fastracl« Revision > An ecosystem can be defined as 9 Functional unit of nature, where living organisms interact among themselves ‘and also with the surrounding physical environment. > An ecosystem Is divided into two basic categories: ‘* Terrestrial ecosystom: Example: forest, desert. ‘© Aquatic ecosystem: Example- pond, lake, wetland, > Ecosystem-Structure and Function > The various components of the environment are abiotic and biotic, > Interaction of biotle and ablotic components results In a physical structure that is characteristic for each type of ecosystem. > Blotic components are the living beings and ablotlc components are the non-living things of the ecosystem. > Vertical distribution of different species occupying different levels Is called stratification. > The Functional componants of acosystem are: © Productivity ‘* Decomposition = Energy flow © Nutrient cycling > example of Functional components of ecosystem Is a pond ecosystem, > The ablotlc component Is the water with all the dissolved Inorganic and organic substances and the rich soll deposit at the bottom of the pond. > The solar input, the cycle of temperature, day-length and other climatic conditions regulate the rate of Function of the entire pond. > Theautotrophiccomponentsincludethephytoplankton, some algae and the floating, submerged and marginal plants Found at the edges. > The consumers are represented by the zooplankton, the Free swimming and bottom dwelling forms, > The decomposers are the fungi, bacteria and flagellates especially abundant in the bottom of the pond. > Productivity > The rato of blomass production is called productivity. > Productivity is of two types: © Primary productivity «Secondary productivity > Primary productivity Is defined as the amount of biomass or organic matter produced per unit area over a time perlod by plants during photosynthesis. > Primary productivity is expressed in terms of weight (am) or energy (kcal m™) > Primary productivity can be divided into: + Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) Net Primary Productivity (NPP) > Gross primary productivity of an ecosystem!s the rate of production of organic matter during photosynthesis. > Gross primary productivity minus respiration losses (R) Is the Not Primary Productivity (NPP) GPP=Ra NPP > Secondary productivity is defined as the rate of Formation of new organic matter by consumers. > The annual net primary productivity of the whole biosphere is approximately 170 billion tonne (dry weight) of organic matter. WY Ze TIN, ‘lueota pradiead during phosynonis (Grow gray roduc) ZN Same glucose sured ler ——-amainng glueous hur prod ible to bo fold dawn (compravion) bloat (nor pamary proaeeayt > Decomposition > Decomposers break down complex organic matter into inorganic substances like carbon dioxide, water and nutrients and the process Is called dacomposition. > Dead plant remains such as leaves, bark, Flowars and dead remains of animals, including Faecal matter is called detritus. > Detritus is the raw material for decomposition. Detritivares are the organisms which break down (detritus into smaller particles, e.g. millipedes, dung “flies, waodlice, burying beetles > Thelmportant stepsinthe process of decomposition are Fragmentation, leaching, catabolism, humification and mineralisation, > Fragmentation is the breaking down of detritus Into smaller particles, > The process by which watersoluble Inorganic nutrients go down into the soil harizon and get precipitated as unavallable salts Is called as leaching, > The process by which bacterial and Fungal enzymes degrade detritus into simpler inorganic substances Is called as catabolism.: > Humification is the accumulation of a dark coloured amorphous substance called humus. > The humus is Further degraded by some microbes and release of Inorganic nutrients occur by the process known as mineralisation, Factors affecting the Rate of Decomposition > Large amount of oxygen is required for decomposition as tis an energy requiring process. > Chitin and lignin present In detritus stower the rate of decomposition. > Nitrogen and water-soluble substances like sugars in detritus increase the rate of decomposition. > warm and moist environment Favour decomposition whereas low temperature, dryness and anaerobiosis inhibit decomposition. Enargy Flow > Sun is the only source of energy for all ecosystems fon earth and except for the deep sea hydrothermal ecosystem, > Less than 50 per of incident solar radiation is Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR). > Plants capture only 2-10% of the PAR. > all organisms are dependent for their food on producers, > Flow oF energy in the ecosystem Is unidirectional > The green plant inthe ecosystem are called producers. For example, In a terrestrial ecosystem, major producers are herbaceous and woody plants and in aquatic ecosystem, phytoplankton, algae and higher plants are producers. > Allanimats depend on plants for thelr food needs. They are called consumars. > Consumers which feed on the producers, they are called primary consumers or herbivores. e.g, grass > The animals which eat herbivores are called secondary consumars or primary carnivores. ¢9. gost. > The animals which eat the primary carnivores are colled tortlary consumers or secondary carnivores. ¢.9. man. > Based on the source of their nutrition or food, ‘organisms occupy a specific place in the Food chain thet is known as thelr trophic level. > Producers belong to the first trophic level, herbivores (primary consumer) to the second and carnivores (secondary consumer) to the third trophic level. > Food chains the flow of enaray from one trophic level to another trophic level by eating and being eaten, > Food chain Is of two typos: (0) Grazing Food Chain (GFC) Ai) Detritus Food Chain (OFC) > Foad chain which starts from producers and ends on carnivores through herbivores Is called grazing food chai Grass > Goat mn Man (Producer (Primarycansumer) (Secondary consumer) > Food chain which starts from dead organic matter and passes through detritivore to organisms Feeding on detritivore is called detritus Food chain. > Detritivores are decomposers which mect their energy and nutrient requirements by degrading dead organic matter or detritus. These are also known as saprotrophs. > Decomposers secrete digestive enzymes that breakdown dead and waste materials into simple and inorganic materials. > The interconnected matrix of Food chain is called Food web. For example, Specific herbivore of one food chain may serve as Food of carnivores in another Food chain, > Each trophic level has a certain mass of living material ata particular time called as the standing crop. > The standing crop is measured as the mass of living ‘organisms (blomass) or the number in a unit area. » Ecological Pyramid > Ecological pyramid is the graphical representation of various trophic levels of food chain designed to show. thelr number, blomass and energy. > The base of a pyramid Is broad and it narrows down at the apex. > The base of each pyramid represents the producers or the First trophic level while the apex represents tertiary cor top level consumer. > The three ecological pyramids that are usually studied are: () Pyramid of number (i) Pyramid of blomass (il) Pyramid of eneray > Agiven species may occupy more than one trophic level in the same ecosystem at the same time. For example, A sparrow Is a primary consumer when it eats seeds, frults, peas, and a secondary consumer when it eats insects and worms. > Producers are more in number and blomass than the herbivores, and herbivores are more in number and biomass than the carnivores, so all the pyramids, of number, of energy and biomass are upright. > The pyramid of biomass in sea is also generally inverted because the blomass of fishes far exceeds that of phytoplankton, > Pyramid of energy is always upright and can never be inverted because when energy Flows from a particular trophic level to the next trophic level, some energy Is always last as heat at each step. > Limitations of Ecological Pyramids > Itdoesnot take intoaccountthe same species belonging to two or more trophic level. > It assumes a simple Food chain, something that almost never exists in nature > Itdoes not accommodate a Food web. > Saprophytes are not glven any place In ecological pyramids, wa na 0 sem ca fen > Ecosystem Services > The products of ecosystem processes are named as ecosystem services. ee: For example, Healthy Forest ecosystems help to do the following: * purify airand water * mitigate droughts and floods + cycle nutrients * generate Fertile soils # provide wildlife habitat # -maintan biodiversity # pollinate crops. * provide storage site for carbon and also provide aesthetic cultural and spiritual values > Out of the total cost of various ecosystem services, the soll formation accounts For about $0%, other services lke recreation and nutrient cycling are less than 10% each and the cost of climate regulation and habitat for wildlife are about 6% each x Practice Exercise -@ Multiple choice Questions Q1. Which of the following pairs Is not correct? a. E Haeckel - Coined the term ‘Ecology’ », Tansley ~ Coined the term ‘Ecosystem CR. Mishra = Father of Indian Ecology 4. None of the above Q2. The rate of conversion of ight energy into chemical ‘energy of organic molecules in an ecosystem is: a. net primary productivity b. gross primary productivity «. secondary productivity d. gross secondary productivity Q3. Which of the following Is not a producer? a. Spirogyra b. Agaricus c. Volvox d. Nostoc Q4, Which one of tho following exhibits least productivity? a. Salty marshes b. Grasslands © Open oceans d. Coral reefs Q5. Which one of the following Is the most productive ‘ecosystem? 2. Temperate forest b. Grassland © Desart d. Tropical rainforest Q6. Percentage af Photosynthotically Active Radiation (PAR) in the Incident solar radiation is: a.1-5% b.2-10% less than 80% 4. approx. 100% Q7. If 10 joules of energy Is available at the producer level, then amount of energy prosent at the level of secondary consumers is: aos bu con doo Q6. The energy and biomass relationship between the organisms at different trophic levels can better expressed by: a. food chain b food web © ecological pyramids 4d. energy cycle Q9. Organisms which are associated with first as well as third trophic level are: a. macrophytes b. phytoplanktons, ©. chemoautotrophs d. insectivorous plants Q10. The primary productivity in an ecosystem is expressed as: (case2023) a. grr? yr b. gm? yr c.Kealar?yr dK calm? QL Observe the contents 1,2,3 and 4 of soil samples A, Band C shown in the graph. IF the temperature and soil moisture ofall soil samples are identical, which soil sample (s) will show faster decomposition? (cose sop 2023.24) 20 5 Ew 8 su a 1234 1234 1234 Sola So0b "Sone 1 indicates lignin content. 2 indicates. chitin, 3 indicatos ‘Ntrogon content and 4 indicatos supor contant 2. Soll Sample A b, Soll Sample 8 ©. Soll Samples A and B Both d. Soll Sample C Q12, Which one of the following animals may occupy more than one trophic levels in the sama ecosystem at the same time? 2. Sparrow b. Lion Goat d. Frog 13. Out of the total proposed cost of various ecosystem services, cost of climate regulations and habitat for wildlife are: 2. 50% b. 10% c 6% d. 25% Q14. These belong tothe category of primary consumers: 2. Insects and cattles b. eagle and snakes c. water Insects, d. snakes and frags Q15. In a food chain, the maximum population Is of which organisms? a. Producers b. Primary consumers c Secondary consumers 4. Decompasers Q16. Given below is one of the type of ecological pyramids. This type represents: 2. pyramid of numbers in a grassland ». pyramid of blamass in a follow land © pyramid of blamass in a lake d. energy pyramid in a spring eeDirect qu. Que. Qs. Qo, : -® Assertion & Reason type Questions y ns (Q.Nos. 17-27): Each of the following questions consists of two statements, ane Is Assertion (A) and the other Is Reason (R). Select the correct answer to these questions Srom the codes 0, b,c and d as given betow. a, Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason Is the correct explanation of Assertion b. Both Assertion and Reason are true but Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion. Assertion is true but Reason Is false. 4d. Assertion is false but reason Is true. Assertion (A): The pyramid of number of a pond ecosystem is upright. Reason (R): Phytoplanktons are maximum and secondary consumers are least in number, Assertion (A): The rate of decomposition of detritus is raduced in the regions of high altitudo. Reason (R): It happens due to immobilisation of nutrients, Assertion (A): The rate of energy storage at consumer levels is referred to as secondary productivities. Reason (R): Net primary productivity is the total gross productivity and the energy used up in the metabolic process. Assertion (A); The blotic community and non-living environment of an area function together to form an ecosystem. Reason (R): The change in ablotic components causes a change in biotic components also. gal. Qe. 2a, 24, 2s, 26, Qa. Answers (d) None of the above {b) gross primary productivity Gross primary productivity of an ecosystem. is the rate of production af erganie matter during photosynthesis, ie, the rate at which light energy converted Into chemical energy. & considerable amount of GPP is utilised by plants in respiration. (0) Agaricus (6) Open oceans In oceans, there are lats of nutrients but no sufficient sunlight is avellable in deep areas. Hence, aceans have the least productivity, Grasslands are less praductive ecosystem with annual productivity of 200-100 gm/m?, Maximum productivity can be seen in coral reefs followed by estuaries. (@) Tropical rainforest {6) tess than 0% (901 Only 10% of energy is transferred fram one trophic level to the next trophic level of a food chain (10% law, given by Lindeman). In present case, energy available at producer level is 104. Hence. energy at primary consumer level would be 1) (10% of 10 }) Similar. at secondary consumer level eneray present will be 01 J (10% of 1) (6) ecological pyramids 9. 10. 1. 2 B 4. 18, 16. 1. ren plants are producers. icroconsumers break down the dead protoplasm into simpler ones. They are first in the sequence of food chain, Assertion (A): Decomposition process is slower if detritus is rich in lignin and cutin. Reason (R): Decomposition is largely an oxygen requiring process. (c8se 2023) Assertion (A):A food chain is a group of organisms In which there is a transfer of food energy through a series of repeated eating and being eaten. Reason (R): Interlocking pattern of several food chains is known as food web. Assertion (A): Each food level in an ecosystem Is called trophic level. Reason (R): When ane organism benefits the other in a chain, it is called commensalism. Assertion (A); There Is a gradual decrease In the energy content in the successive trophic levels from producers to consumers. Reason (R): Pyramid of energy does not show energy accummulation pattorn at different trophic levels. Assertion (A): Ecological pyramid of blomass Is generally inverted in sea/ocean, Reason (R): Blomass of fishes far exceeds that of phytoplanktons. Assertion (A): Pyramid blomass is always upright for single tree ecosystem. Reason (R): Total blomass of a tree in a spoctfic area Is more than that of herbivores. (d) Insectivarous plants (d) K cal m= {d) Soll Sample C {a) Sparrow ‘An organism that may occupy more than one trophic level simultaneously Is a sparrow. Sparrow is a primary consumer when it eats seeds, frults, peas and a secondary consumer when it eats Insects and worms. (c) 6% Out of the total cost of various ecosystem services, the soll formation accounts for about 80% and contributions of other services Uke recreation and nutrient cycling, are less than 10% each, The cost of climate regulation and habitat for wild fe are about 696 each (a) insects and cattles (a) Producers {c) pyramid of biomass in a lake (a) Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is the carrect explanation of Assertion. The pyramid of pond ecosystem Is upright. because base of this pyramid is occupied by the maximum ‘number of phytoplanktons (autotrophs) and number of individuals gradually decreases towards primary and secondary consumer respectively. ee18. 19. 20. 2 22. 23, 24, 25, 26. 2. qu Qa. a3. (c) Assertion is true but Reason is false At high altitude, the temperature becomes very low (= 10°C). It greatly reduces the activity of microbes. principal decamposers. Nutrients immobilisation means tiding up of nutrients material with the biomass of microbes. This immobilisation prevents the nutrients from being washed out from the ecosystem. (c) Assertion is true but Reason is false. (a) Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion. (c) Assertion is true but reason Is false. Green plants are producers, not consumers. Micraconsumers are microorganisms which feed on dead and decaying organism (0) Both Assertion and Reason are true but Reason is Not the correct explanation of Assertion (0) Both Assertion and Reason are true but Reason Is ‘ot the correct explanation of Assertion (¢) Assertion is true but Reason Is false (©) Assertion is true but Reason is false (a) Bath Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion (2) Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason Is the correct explanation of Assertion, , | @ Case Study Based Questions y Case Study 1 Ecosystem ‘An ecosystem can simply be defined us the functional unit of nature with which living onganisms survive and interact among them and with the physical environment that surrounds them. Ecosystems can broadly be classified into natural und man-made, Natural ecosystems can further be bifurcated into: (a) Terrestrial Ecosystems: These grasslands, deserts, forests, ete. and (b) Aquatic Ecosystems: These ecosystems include water bodies such as wetland, lake, river, estuury, etc. On the other hund, ‘aquariums, croplands etc. ure man-made ecosystems. The major or primary function of an ccosystem is the conversion of inorganic materials to organic matter. ‘The term Ecosystom' was given by: 3. Odum b. AG Tansley Hatch ~ Slack d. Robert Hooke ‘The biotic and ablotic components are linked with each other through ..... energy flow and .. material flow. a, bidirectional. cyclic b. cyclic, bidirectional © unidirectional. cyclic dye, unidirectional Living organisms are produced through: a, biological evolution b. physical evolution © blo-chemical evolution —d. chemical evolution, include Q4. What does a biotic community called when it is regulated by ablotic components? a. Biomass, b. Biosphere € Ecosystem 4. Blo-geography Q5. What makes an ecosystem healthy and maintained? 2a. Bio-geochemical cycle Cycling of nutrients b. Energy-flow d. Allof these Q4, In aquatic habitat, productivity . Answers 1) 2 a(d) a (c) 5. (b) Case Study 2 Productivity Productivity is the rate of biomass production. It is expressed in gm” yr! or (kcal m?) yr!, The amount of biomass or organic matter produced per unit area over a time period by plants during photosynthesis is called primary production ‘The primary productivity can be divided into Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) und Net Primary Productivity (NPP). NPP is the available biomass for the consumption to helerotrophs, i. herbivores and decomposers. Annual net primary productivity of the whole biosphere is about 170 billion tonnes (dry weight) of organic matter. Of this, despite of occupying about 70% of the surface of eurth, the productivity of the oceans is only 55 billion tonnes. 1. Its value depends on the chlorophyll content. 2. Primary productivity b. GPP NPP 4. Secondary productivity Respiratory loss. b. Primary productivity c Secondary productivity d. GPP 3. The amount of storage of organic matter not used by heterotrophs (consumers) is known as a. NPP b. Primary productivity c. Secondary productivity 0. GPP with the increasing depth. a. Increases c becomes low b. becomes high 0. decreases 5. What is right option for productivity in desert, grasslands and forest? a. High. medium, low . Low medium, high b. Medium, high. low d. High. low, medium, Answers Lb) 20) 3) A) 5) eeCase Study 3 aL Qa. a4, Energy Flow Living organisms, depend on each other for their food requirement and form a chain called food chain. The transfer of food energy from producers, through a series of organisms is known as food chuin. (Herbivores - Curnivores - Decomposers). Food chain starts from primary producers and ends with carnivores. The animals are inter-dependent for food and they form a net which is termed as a food web. Trophic level is one kind of producer. consumer arrangement, where each food level provides “successive levels of nourishment in the food chain and food web of a community.” Grazing food chain begins with. 2. decamposers i. carnivares c producers consumers ‘Detritus’ means: 2. primary source of energy is dead organic matter. b. secondary source of energy is dead organic matter. primary source of energy Is living organic matter. @. primary source of energy Is ving Inorganic matter. Which term is used for Indicating intardepondent food in net form? 2 Food chain b. Food web c. Nutrient webs Al of these How do flow of energy and nutrient-cycting represented in an ecosystem? a, By structure and function b. By nutrient pyramid c. By composition of ecosystem ©. Food chain Q5. In the arrangement of producers and consumers, each food level is known as: 2. food chain b. food web . trophic level d. food level Answers 1) 20) 30) 4) 510 Case Study 4 Decomposition : ] Qa. Decomposition is the breaking down of complex ‘organic substrates into simpler inorganic forms by decomposers. The various steps of decomposition are: Fragmentation: Breaking down of detritus into smaller particles by the action of detrivores such as Fungi, carthworm, ct Leaching: Download movement of water- soluble nutrients into the soil horizon and their precipitation ns insoluble salts. qn. Ans. 2 Ans. Q3. Ans. @ q. Ans. Qe. Ans. Q3. Ans. Q4. Ans, Learn the equation properly with all its abbreviations and concepts involved. Catabolism: Break down of detritus into simpler inorganic forms by enzymes from fungi and bacteria Humification: Formation and continuous deposition of a dark amorphous substance known as the humus, Mineralisation: The further breakdown of humus, by some microorganisms to form simple inorganic nutrients Read the given passage carefully and give the answer of the following questions: What do you mean by decomposition? The process by which dead or complex organic materials broken down into simpler forms of matter which mixes with soils called decomposition What do decomposers need to eat to live and ‘grow? Oecomposers need dead matter to eat to lve and grow. Name any three common decomposers of an ‘ecosystem, Bacteria, fungl. earthworms, oR When humus is degraded, salts and ons are released in the forms which are available to plants, What is this called? Mineralisation Very Short Answer type Questions y AIL the primary productivity Is not available to a herbivore. Give one reason. All the primary productivity is not available to a herbivore because a considerable amount is utilsad by tho plant through respiration. Write the equation that helps in deriving the net primary productivity of an ecosystem. The required equation is: GPP R= NPP TiP Writea difference between net primary productivity and gross primary productivity, Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) is the rate of production of organic matter during photosynthesis (On the ather hand. Net Primary Productivity (NPP) Is the available biomass for the consumption by heteratrophs, GPP - R= NPP What is secondary productivity? Secondary productivity is defined as the rate of formation of new organic matter by consumers ee5. Ans. 6. Ans. Q7. Ans. Qe. Ans. Q9. Ans. Quo. Ans. qu. Ans. Que. Ans. us. Ans. qu. Ans. Qs. Ans. 16. Ans. qu. Ans. - Name the basic requirement of any ecosystem to function and sustain properly. A constant input of solar energy is the ultimate source of all_energy and requirement of any ecosystem to function and sustain properly. Expand PAR. Photosynthetic Active Radiation State what ‘standing crop’ of a trophic level represents, ‘Standing crop’ of a trophic level represents the mass, of ving material (biomass) at a particular time. List any two ways of measuring the standing crop of a trophic level. Standing crop is measured In the following two veays: (0) Blomass of Uving organisms in a unit area (il) Number In a unit area, Differentiate between standing state and standing crop in an ecosystem. In an ecosystem, standing crop is the mass of Uving material_in_each trophic level at_a particular me. Whereas standing state refers to the amount_of rhutriants in the soll at any ivan time. ‘What is detritus? Dead organic matter or remains of plants auch as leaves. bark flower and dead remains of animals: Q18. “Man can be a primary as well as a secondary consumer” Justify this statement. ‘Ans. Man has a varied diet. When on a vegetarian diet they are primary consumers and vihen on a non vegetarian diet, they are secondary consumers. COMMON] ERR(DR Students do not justify the given statement and given irrelevant answer not defining the topie Q19. How is ‘stratification’ represented in a forest ecosystem? Ans. ‘Stratification’ fs the vertical distribution of species cccupying diferent tevele Trees occupy vertcal rat Stabs the econ by yer and herbs! grasses Occupy the bottom layers. Arrange the following as you observe in vertical stratification of a forest~Grass, Shrubby plants, Teak, Amaranthus. Ans. Grass, Amoronthus, Shrubby plants, Teak, Qao. -@ Short Answer type Questions Q1. How are productivity, gross productivity, net primary productivity and secondary productivity interrelated? (cose 2015) ‘Ans. Productivity Is the rate of production of biamass at any trophic level at any given Interval of time. including faecal matter conatituto detritus. What is a detritus food chain made up of? How do they meet thelr energy and nutritional requirements? A detritus food chan is made up of dead plants and animal remains and thelr faceal matter. They obtain energy and nutritional requirements by decomposing the dead materials. Why an earthworm is called a detritivore? This is because earthworm breaks down dotritus Into smaller partictes., Why is the pyramid of biomass inverted In a pond ecosystem? The pyramid of biomass Is inverted in a pond ecosystem because the biomass of fish (consumer) 's far larger than the producers (phytoplankton) Name one example of inverted pyramid of number. Pyramid of number is observed inverted in tree ecosystem Why Is food web formed In nature? Many organisms occupy positions in different food chains and several food chains therefore. become interconnected to form a food web What Is meant by 10% law? 10% law states that only 10% energy of a trophic level is transferred to the next higher trophic level Define trophic level. Each energy step or level in a food chain is called a NPP & GPP = R Grass productivity s the rate of production of organic matter by green plants per unit time per unit area, Net primary productivity 15 the difference between foss_primnry productivity and the loss due to Sept Secndury produciviy & he rate-ot productivity 1s the rate_ol Brnlcion oF Tarmbvon of naw organic Trier Ey consomare oopotk especially that of OF the Frat aor oF Rerbivores; TiP Provide definitions and interrelated equations to explain the terms. Q2. Primary productivity varies from ecosystem to ecosystem. Explain. (cose 2015) ‘Ans. Primary productivity varies from ecosystem to ecosystem because it depends on the plant species inhabiting the area and their photosynthetic activity italso depends on various environmental factors. Q8. The number of trophic levels in an ecosystem are limited. Comment. (cose 2015) ‘Ans. In a food chain, only 10% of the total_ amount of energy 's passed on to the next trophic level from the previous trophic level So. there is a decrease in the amount of energy available at the successive trophic levels, As we move higher up In the food chain. the amount of energy diminishes to a level at which it Cannot sustain any trophic level thereby Umiting the trophic level ‘number af trophic levels. ee- Q4. Justify the importance of decomposers in an ecosystem. (cBse 2015) Ans. Decomposers. which are heterotrophic organisms. mainly fung) and bacteria have the following importance () They breakdown complex _organic_matter into Inorganic substances Uke carbon dioxide. water and nutrients. They meet thelr energy and nutrient requirements by degrading dead organic matter or detritus. These are also known, as saprotrophs (W) Decomposers secrete digestive en2ymes that breakdown dead and waste materials into simple. inorganic_materiais, which are subsequently absorbed by them. Q5. “Cattle and goats do not browse the Calotropis, plant." Justify the statement glving reasons. Ans. Organisms to survive in the complex food web have evolved characters to support thelr ving and prevent them from predators, One of such example is Calatropis. Calatropis plant alsa known as milkweed produce_a_chemical_compaund cardiac glycoside thot affects the mammalian heart tis the defence mechanism in Colotropis plant to keep cattle stay ‘way from i This Is the reason why cattle and goats do not Feed/browse on this plant. Q6. Construct a grazing food chain and detritus food chain using the following, with 5 links each: Earthworm, bird, snake, vulture, grass, grasshopper, frog, decaying plant matter. ‘Ans. Grazing food chain: Grass —» Grasshoppor > Frog —> Snake -> Vulture oR Grass > Grasshopper > Bird —» Snnke > Vulture Detritus food chain: Decaying plant matior > Earthworm — Bird —» Snake — Vulture Q7. “In a food-chain, a trophic Level rapresonts a functional level, not a species." Explain, (cBse 2016) Ano. A given species may occupy mare than one trophic level_in the same ecosystem (in different food chaing) at the given time: If the function of the mode cf nutrition oF specias changes, its position shall change In the trophic levels, The same species can be at primary consumer level In one food chain and at secondary consumer level in another food chain In the same ecosystem at the given time. Q.8. Apart from plants and animals, microbes form a permanent biotic component in an ecosystem. White plants have been referred to as autotrophs and animals as heterotrophs, what are microbes referred to as? How do these microbes fulfil their energy requirements? Ans. Microbes are referred to a6 heterotrophs_and saprotrophs. They fulfl thelr energy requirements by feeding on dead_cemains of plants and animals through the Q9. Differentiate between two different types of pyramids of blomass with the help of one example of each. Ans. , | Basis of | Upright pyramid of | inverted pyramid No. | difference biomass of biomass () [Amount of | The biomass of | The biomass oF biomass | producersis mare | the producers than that of| (phytoplankton) Is consume than that off consumers (Aish) (WW) [Example [Forest ecosystem, | Aquatic ecosystem, [EOMMON] ERROR Students don't give answer in tabular form or forget to give examples. Q10. Due to uncontrolled excessive hunting, the population of tiger in a forest becomes. zero. Discuss the long-term effects of this situation in the population of deer in that forest. ns. The reduction in population af tiger (predator) witl result in an increase in deer opulation. The increased deer population will give more pressura on vegetation due to overgrazing. As a result. the plant population will decrease and lead to decreased deer population due to starvation, death and migration. As a result. the ecological balance will be disturbed. but in the long run. these relationships stabilise the pro and predator population in a community Q1L Sometimes due to biotic/abiotic factor, the climax remain in a particular seral stage (preclimax) without reaching the climax. Do you agree with this statement? If yes, give a suitable example. Ana. It is true that any change in the _ablotic/blotle factor will_arrest_a particular seral stage leading to.a preclimax condition before the climax stage 1s achieved, This can happen in cases of forest fires. landslide, change in soll characteristics. and increase In herbivore population leading to overgrazing Q12. Why earthworm Is considered a farmer's friend? Explain humification and mineratisation accurring In.a decomposition cycle. Ans. Earthworms help in breakdown of complex organic matter as well as loosening of the soll This helps in the proper growth of the crops. Therefore, they are considered as a farmer's friend, Humification: The process of accumulation of a dark coloured amorphous substance called humus thot Is highly resistant to microbial action and undergoes decomposition at an extremely slow rate Is called humification. Mineralisation: The process by which humus ts further degraded by some microbes to release racess of decomposition. inorganic nutrients is called mineralisation. ee13. Mention four significant services that a healthy forost ecosystem provides. (cose 2019) Ans. Ecosystem services provided by healthy forest ecosystems are (i) Purification of air. (i) Maintenance of biodiversity. (ill) Provide wildlife habitat. (iv) Storage site for carbon. (v) Cycling of nutrients. (v) Mitigate droughts and floods. ~@ Long Answer type-l Questions w Q1. Why's the length of a food chain in an ecosystem generally limited to 3-4 trophic levels? Explain with an example. Ans. The amount of energy Now decreaseswith successive trophic levels as only 1096 of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next successive level ‘The energy is lost n the form of respiration and other vital activites to maintain Ufe. If more trophic levals ate present. the residual enerpy will be Umited and decrenged to such an extent that it cannot further Support any trophic level by the flow of energy. So. the food chain is generally Umited to 3-4 trophic ovels only. For example, Sun Sy pianns MEIN, Dygr HHIUHLE, Tippy 60.0007) 00) ol oA NAS 1y Trophic Level SHS y Trophic Level mon (03 ERROR Students give exomple offood chain without mentioning the flow of energy or amount of energy transferred, Q2. (1) Namoan ideal pyramid existing In an ecosystem, Construct it up to its three trophic Levels along with thelr names. (il) The Sun provides 10,00,000 J of sunlight (solar energy) to an ecosystem, Write the amount of energy that Is available to the first and third trophic levels, respectively. (case 2020) Ans. (i) Pyramid of enorgy isthe ideal pyramid existing in an ecosystem. Secondary consumar 100). Sed Trophic Lovel Primary congue 1.000) 2nd Trophic Level, Producer ho,o00) 1st Trophe Lavel {20,00000 of wnligh (i) 10.00.00 J from Sun, (196) = 10.000 4 10000) => 1000) => 10) First trophic level Third trophic level TiP Construct a proper pyramid showlng trophic levels with accurate labels ond names Inter-relationship Q3. Describe the productivity, gross primary productivity and net between primary productivity. (cose 2017) ‘Ans, The rate of biomass production per unit area, over a time period by plant during photosynthesis Is called productivity. It is expressed as (keal m=) yr or afm?yye ar gm yr ‘The amount of blomass or organic matter produced per unit area over a time period in plants during photosynthesis is called primary productivity. It includes Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) and Net Primary Productivity (NPP) Gross Primary Productivity is the rate of production of _organic_matter during photosynthesis _in_an @conystem, Some oF GPP is utilised In respiration Net Primary Productivity Is the weight of the organic matter stored by the producer in a unit araa/volume per unit time NPP © GPP -R ‘where, R » Respiration losses. Q4. (i) Write how parasites have evolved with adaptation to co-exist with thelr hosts in an ecosystem. (i) Parasites are host specific and tend to co-evolve, How would the parasite respond if the host evolves a certain mechanism to resist or reject the parasite? (Case 2020) Ans. ()Parasites have evolved with the following adaptation: (0) Loss_of unnecessary sense organs and prasmnce oF adhe oy ‘of adhesive organs/auckors. (b) Loss_of_the digestive system _and_high reproductive capacity. (\) The parasite has to evolve_a_mechaniam to counteract and neutralise them. Q5. Distinguish between ()) Upright and inverted pyramid (i) Food chain and Food web. ‘Ans. (I) Differences between pyramids are Fallows: upright and inverted S.No] Upright Pyramid Inverted Pyramid (i) | in this type of pyramid. | in this type of pyramid. umber and blomass| the number and of organisms at} blomass_of organism producer levels at_producer_evel is Figh. which keeps on | lowest _and Keeps _on decreasing —at_each||incraasing —at_each trophic level ‘trophic level (i) |Thebasebarcomprises |The base bar of producers in large | comprises of producer number. in smallest number,PEED EE EEE IEEE EIDE EI EI III II III IDE III IIE ID II IES IIE SN (ii) [energy pyramid is always upright. Pyramid of numbers and. pyramid of ‘bio- mass can be inverted, {) Differences between food chain and food web are as follows Food Chain (i) [tis a Unear sequence of organisms, (| Members present at higher trophic level feed on single types of organisms. (i) | The energy flow can be easily calculated (iv) | Competition Is Limited only to members of Same trophic level Food Web It Is an interconnection cf many food chains. One organism has alternate food sources, Enerpy flow is difficult to calculate Competition is, amongst members ‘of game and different irophic levels, ~@ Long Answer type-t! Questions QL. (l) What is a trophic Level in an ecosystem? What Is ‘standing crop’ with reference to it? (ii) Explain the role of the ‘first trophic level’ in an ecosystem. (lil) How is the detritus food chain connected with tho grazing food chain in a natural ecosystom? (cose 2018) ()) Trophic level in_an ecosystem ig a specific place of _an organism in a food chain. With reference {or standing crop is the mass of Uving material (biomass) at each trophic lovel ata particular time (i) ‘First trophic level’ has producers/autotrophs, which trap_solar_energy to_produce food (photosynthesis (li) Organisms of the Detritus Food Chain (OFC) are the prey to the Grazing Food Chain (GEC organism, Algo, the dead romain of GEC are decomposed into simple Inorgnnic_materials which are absorbed by DFC organisms. 2. (i) What is an ecological pyramid? Compara the pyramids of eneray, biomass and numbers, (ii) Write any two limitations of ecological pyramids. (cose 2017) () Ecological pyramid: The relation between roducers and consumers In an ecosystem be paphicaly represented the Tore OFS Byram aoa Ecological pyramids are of three types: (a) Pyramid of number: The relationship between producers and consumers In_an ecosystem afi be represented Inthe form of a pyramidin terms of number which Is called pyramid of umber Qs. Ans. Trophic Level ‘Numbar of Individuals TC Ceruary Consumer 3 SC (Secondary Consume aa PC (Primary Consumen 708000 (Producer 542,000 (b) Pyramid of biomass: The relationship between producers and consumers in an ecosystem can be represented in the form of a pyramid in terms of biomass which s called pyramid of biomass. It can be upright or inverted. ‘Trophic Love! Dry weight (kg mi) 1€ Mertary Consumer 1s ScIsieoainy Comuman [J i PC (Primary Consumer) 7 ° (Producor) 409 (0) Pyramid of energy: The relationship between producers and consumers In_an_ocosystom can be represented in the form of a pyramid in terms of flow of energy which is called pyramid of enorgy, Its always upright as energy is lost as hheat at each step. Te MTanary consumer) ww S€ Wecondary consumen wi 7 Primary carwumen 1000) procucon 1a000) 100,0000 1 of Sunlight (li) Limitations of acotogical pyramids: (@) It never takes into account the same species belonging to two or more trophic levels (b) It assumes a simple foad chain. which never exists In natur Describe the advantages for keeping the ecosystems healthy. (cose 2015) By keeping the ecosystem healthy, we can take advantage of the ecosystem services which are the products of ecosystems, Following are the economic and environmental advantages that we abtaln from the healthy ecosystern: (i) Healthy forest ecosystem purify alr and water. (il) mitigates “drought_and floods and cycle futrients, (iil) Healthy ecosystem generates fertile soll_ and provides wildlife habitat: (iv) It maintains biodiversity which Is an important ‘spect of healthy ecosystem. (v) It pollinates crop and provides storage site for carbon. (vi) it_provides aesthetic, cultural_and spiritual values. (vi) It_provides stable food _chain_and provides ‘economically useful forest produces. (vii) t_provides sustainable biological legacy to future generations Q4. Describe the process of decomposition of detritus, under the following heads: Fragmentation, leaching, catabolism, —humification and mineralisation. ‘Ans. The process of breaking down complex organic matter into Inorganic substances Uke water and nutrients is called decomposition. The raw material for decomposition is called detritus, They are dead remains of plants and animals, The process af decomposition of detritus is as under: () Fragmentation: The process of breaking dawn of detritus Into_smaller particles Is called fragmentation, eg. earthworm, ) Leaching: The process by which water-soluble inorganic nutrients go down into the soll horizon and get precipitated as unavailable salts is called leaching (lll Catabolism: The enzymatic process by which degraded detritus Is converted into_simple inorganic substances is called catabolism. (iv) Humification: The process of accumulation of 2 dark coloured amorphous substance called humus that ishighly resistant to mlcroblal action ‘and undergoes decomposition at an extremal slow rate is called humification (v) Minerasatian: The process by which humus is further degraded by some microbes and release Inorganic nutrients is called mineralisation. pan Chapter Test Multiple Choice Questions QL. Energy transferred from one trophic level to another: a. 8% b. 1036 189% 6.20% Which of the following Is called as a datritivore? a. An animal feeding on decaying arganic matter. b. An animal feeding on a plant. . A plant feeding on an animal d. An animal feeding on another animal. Which is the most stable ecosystem? a. Grasslands b. Forests ©. Oceans ¢. Deserts Assertion and Reason Type Questions Qa. Q3. Directions (Q, Nos. 4-5): Each of the following questions consists of two statements, ane Is Assertion (A) and the other Is Reason (R). Select the correct answer to these questions rom the codes 6, b, cand d os given below. a. Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason Is the correct explanation of Assertion , Both Assertion and Reason are true but Reason Is not the correct explanation of Assertion. ¢. Assertion is true but Reason Is false. dd. Both Assertion and Reason are false. 4. Assertion (A): Stratification helps in accommodation of a large number and types of plants in the same area. Reason (R): It is the occurrence of horizontal zonation in the ecosystem. QS. Assertion (A): Decomposers are excluded from the food chains. Reason (R): They act on all trophic levels of a food chain. Case Based Questions Case Study 1 Q6. It is the process of breaking down of complex organic mutter into inorgunic substances like water, carbon dioxide and nutrients, Detritus is the raw material for decomposition. It includes dead remains of plants (leaves, bark and flowers) and of animals including faecal matter, It is largely an uerobic process 4e., requires oxygen for its processing (i) The process of breaking down of complex organic matter into inorganic substances Is called: a. productivity . decompasitian c. mineralisation d. None of these (i) The raw material for decomposition Is called: a. nutrients b. consumers c detritus 4. None of the above (lil) Which of the following is/are an example(s) of detritus? 2. Dead remains of plants b. Dead remains of animals Faecal matter of animals 4. Allof the above eeERE EEE EEE EEE EEE EIDE EI II II IDI II III II II III IIS II EIEN ED EE IT ) Decomposition is largely a type of: a. aerobic process physical process Case Study 2 Q7. b. anaerobic process None of these for all the Sun is the only soure of energ ecosystems on the earth except for deep sea hydrothermal ecosystem. OF the total incident solnr energy, less than 50% is Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR). Plants utilise only 2-10% of PAR (o sustain the entire living world. Plantsas well as photosynthetic and chemosynthelic bacteria fix sun's radiant energy to make food from simple inorganic molecules. Thus, are dependent on producers either directly or indirectly for their food. Read the given passage carefully and give the answer of the following questions: In an ecosystem, which Is the ultimate source of energy? Expand PAR, ‘What is the percentage of PAR utilised by plants? oR What do you mean by energy flow? Very Short Answer Type Questions QB. Q. Quo. Name two basic categories of an ecosystem. Give the relation between Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) and Net Primary Productivity (NPP). List any two way of measuring the standing crop of atrophic level. Short Answer Type Questions qu. que. Primary productivity varies from ecosystem to ecosystem. Explain. Explain the following terms. (i) Stratification (ii) Leaching Long Answer Type-! Question Qs. Describe the components of an ecosystem. Long Answer Type-I! Question qu. () Explain primary productivity and the factors that Influence it. (ii) Describe how composition of decomposition. oxygen and comical detritus controls the ee