Learnine Ossectives Definition of Ecosystem ® Characteristics of an Ecosystem * Complex Nature of Ecosystem * Types of Ecosystems * Terrestrial Ecosystems * Aquatic Ecosystems * Natural and Artificial Ecosystems © Components of Ecosystems © Biotic Compo- nents ¢ Abiotic Components * Interrelationships © Concept of Homeostasis. Definition Sir Arthur G Tansley (1935) coined the term Ecosystem and defined it as ‘the system resulting from the integration of all living and non-living factors of the environment’. Several parallel terms are available in the literature, eg. biocoenosis, microcosm, holocoen, geobiocoenosis, bio-system, ecosom etc, The word ecosystem is not a synonym of habitat, community or some other similar descriptive terms. Rather, it is a technical term in ecology and refers to a system of living and non-living components interacting as a whole, Characteristics of an Ecosystem Smith (1966) proposed following general characteristics of most €cosystems- (1) The ecosystem is a major structural and functional unit (of ecology). (2) The structure of an ecosystem is related to its species diversity. The more complex systems have high species diversity. : 3) The function of an ecosystem is related to energy flow and material cycling through and within the system. He? (4) The relative amount of energy needed to maintain an ecosystem depends 6n its structure. The more complex the structure, the lesser the <2) nmtain itself. Pet gSov 198 Essential Environmental Studies jems mature by passing from less complex to more comple, states, Early stages of such succes n (low biodiversity) have s excess of potential energy and a relatively high-energy flow pet tmit biomass. Later stages (high biodiversity) have less energy Accumulation and its flow through more diverse components, (6) Both, the environment and the energy fixation in ANY given ‘tem, are limited and cannot be exceeded without cating serious undesirable effects. () Aterations in the environments represent selective pressure upon the population to which it must adjust, Organisms, which are unable to adjust to the changed environment, must need vanish. Complex Nature of Ecosystem Foosystem is thus a bioenergetic approach in which both living (biotic and non-living (abiotic) components are interacting, interdependent ‘Macro- ‘consumers \ (herbivores, \ omnivores, I Pe carnivores), | 2 | 5 BIOTIC 3 INTERACTIONS, i a | Producers | (groonpisnis) Lol consumers, | = | z | # ae 2 : # | z Influences of Influences of | 8 physical environment living organisms on 3 on living organisms. physical environment | 2 Energy [-————] climate | z flux | “ux é g 5 PHYSICAL. ‘ 5 INTERACTIONS a 3 ; E § Climate Fig. 11.1. Some important interactions found in and between biotic and abiot components (after Cox and Atkins, 1979).Concept of an Ecosystem 199. er Sn caesar | and inseparable, Cox and Atkins (1979) expl interactions between the biotic and terrestrial ecosystem (Fig. 11.1), The ecosystem is an integrated unit (or comprising vegetation, funa, microbes ecosystems possess a well-defined soil, (or communities) and have their own potential for adaptation, change and tolerance. Ecosystem's function involves a series of cycles (such as water cycle, bio-geochemical cycle etc,). These cycles are driven by energy flow, the energy being the solar energy. Continuation of life requires a constant exchange and return of nutrients to and from (amongst) the different components of the ecosystem. In simple words, ecosystem is a dynamic system which includes both organisms (biotic components) and abiotic environment influencing the properties of each other and both are necessary for the maintenance of life. Tt can be recognised as self-regulating and self-sustaining units of landscape. jained some important biotic components of a typical zone) of variable size and the environment. Most climate, flora and fauna TYPES OF ECOSYSTEMS Infact, whole of the earth constitute the giant ecosystem, called biosphere but it has been further divided either on the basis of habitats or on basis of ecoclines, spatial scales, uses, source and level of energy, stages of ecosystem development, stability or instability etc. ‘Types of ecosystems, recognised on the basis of habitats, are simple and Most convenient for study purpose. The habitats exhibit physical environmental conditions of.a particular spiritual unit of the biosphere. These physical conditions determine the nature and characteristics of the biotic communities and, therefore, there are spatial variations in the biotic communities. Based on this consideration, the ecosystems are divided into two major categories- (i) Terrestrial ecosystems (ii) Aquatic ecosystems ‘These have been further divided (Table 11.1). COMPONENTS OF ECOSYSTEMS An ecosystem comprises two very closely interconnected parts, called components. These are the living parts called biotic components and the non-living parts called abiotic components. Biotic component is an ‘portant part of ecosystem in which energy flows in the form of food from one organism to another organism within a community. Abiotic Components are another part of ecosystem comprising inorganic, organic,“TABLE L.A. ECOSYSTEMS Trost ecosystems Aquat ecoeyetrns Natura ic! Natural nade ms Man-made e208/tams ecosystoms ‘ecosystem Moun Gratslnd/ Forest Desert. Tundra Cropfekd Gave etn water Aquaium Sewage cconpons “TAMETE ecerems econstins ecsyns. eeeyume ecsone cteysons cogil Agim ‘ecosystems Cold desert Warm desert Ocean Coastalor Coralreet Flowing water. Stil ater ‘ovrtoms eceyeoms |“ cctyoms Ex ecoomiome “gtpuanet” Sulla See Secs Pond and tanks ecosystems: ‘Stream ecosystems Lakes ecosystems March and bogs ecosystems saps owvauwwosniry jonU9553 OLi ee and physical or climatic components. Together, these two components determine the characteristics of the ecosystem, (D Biotic Components piotic components are basically divided into following ‘categories (i) Producers or Autotrophs (ii) Consumers or Heterotrophs (a) Primary consumers - herbivores (b) Secondary consumers - carnivores (c) ‘Tertiary or top consumers - carnivores (iii) Parasites and Detrivores (iv) Decomposers Producers are green plants or autotrophs which synthesise their own food by the’ process called photosynthesis. Consumers are Keterotrophic organisms which directly or indirectly depend on producers for energy. Energy is procured in the form of food. Consumers have been divided into three categories- (a) Primary consumers. These organisms are herbivores which depend upon green plants for their food, e.g. cow, goat, rabbit, some insects etc. (b) Secondary consumers. These are those carnivores that use herbivores as their source of food, e.g. snake, frog etc. (©) Tertiary consumers. These are also called top consumers and these kill and eat the secondary or primary consumers. Examples of top carnivores are lion, tiger, hawk etc. Parasites are those organisms, which obtain their food directly from living organisms (hosts). Detrivores or scavengers are small animals, which feed on dead bodies of other organisms, such as termites Decomposers are generally saprophytic microbes which decompose the dead organisms, such as bacteria and fungi. These decompose organic complexes into simple substances, which are either mixed within the soil or evaporated to the atmosphere. These are also called microconsumers. Producers, consumers and decomposers remain linked together by food chain wherein each category forms a trophic level. (i) Abiotic Components These are non-living components of an ecosystem and include- (i) Inorganic substances. These include elements (minerals), water, Gases etc., which are required for the synthesis of organic substances by the producers." These keep on circulating within the ecosystem.202 Essential Environmental Studies ‘These substances are derived from dead i Plans | as from their excreta. Such substanc €S arg (ii) Organic substances. and animals as well cher decomposed to release the minerals. iii) Climate. It includes factors like rain, heat, light, ‘temperature (ii) c vend «ing etc, ‘The interaction of various climatic faci, hum y re of the ecosystem. determines the nature of the ecosyst BETWEEN BIOTIC AND 'TERRELATIONSHIPS ‘ABIOTIC COMPONENTS The various factors of the biotic and abiotic components are inter-related to form a, functional and balanced ecosystem. In all ecosystems, solar energy is trapped by producers (green plants) and converted into chemical energy (food) by the photosynthetic process. This food is the source of energy for primary consumers (herbivores) for their life activities. The primary consumers are the source of food of the secondary or tertiary consumers (carnivores). On death of producers and primary, secondary or tertiary consumers their dead bodies (organic matter) pass into the soil where they are decomposed by decomposers. By decomposition process, the organic matter is broken down to release the inorganic elements, which are again absorbed by the plants (producers) for metabolic activities. In an ecosystem, the minerals move in cyclic manner but energy movement is always unidirectional (Fig. 11.2). Photosynthesis Biotic components Producers (green plants) Biotic components ‘Secondary and tertiary consumers} (Carnivores) Primary consumers (Herbivores) Decomposers, (Saprophytes) Mineralisation Abiotic components (Physical decomposition) Fig. 11.2. Different components afConcept of an Ecosystem 203 Concept of Homeostasis Natural ecosystems are capable of self-regulation and self-maintenance, as they are able to maintain a stable steady state. The proposition refers to the concept of homeostasis (homeo = same, stasis = standing). Odum (1971) defined homeostasis as the tendency of natural ecosystems to resist change and to remain in a state of equilibrium. A homeostatic condition within an ecosystem implies that there would be a balance between production, consumption and decomposition, as well as between all species within the system. Balanced Ecosystem Balanced ecosystems have potential of ‘self-regulation. and self- maintenance. These are able to maintain a stable steady state and are self sustainable. A balance between production, ‘consumption and decomposition is continuously maintained in them, and is not disturbed. These operate by themselves under natural conditions without any external interference. As such, most natural ecosystems are examples of balanced ecosystems, e.g. forest ecosystem and ocean ecosystem. These require a continuous inflow of energy from sun (external source), sustained multiplication and undisturbed habitat. Chapter Summary The term ecosystem coined by Tansely (1935) refers to:the bioenergetic approach of ecological studies in which both tiving (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components are interacting, interdependent and inseparable. Several interactions are found between the components. Ecosystem is a major structural and functional unit. The functions are related to energy flow and material cycling. Ecosystem matures by passing from less to more complex states. Complex stages have high biodiversity and less energy accumulation. Various biogeochemical (mineral) cycles are driven by energy flow, the energy being the solar energy. Continuation of life requires a constant exchange and return of nutrients to and from (amongst) the different components of the ecosystem. Ecosystems have been classified variously but classification on the basis of habitat is simple and popular. Two major categories of ecosystem are the terrestrial ecosystems and the aquatic ecosystems, each one has both natural and man-engineered (man-made) type. Fach ecosystem has two types of components, the biotic and abiotic components. Biotic Components are further divided into:(i) Producers (autotrophs), (ii) consumers (heterotrophs) and (iti) decomposers (saprotrophs). Consumers comprise primary (herbivores), secondary (carnivores) and tertiary (top carnivores) types. Abiotic components include inorganic and Organic substances and climate. The two types of components are interacting and ‘separable. Ecosystems are self-regulating and self-sustaining units of landscape.© 204 Essential Environmental Studies Study Questions ~ Define what is an ecosystem? Describe its, characteristic features with si, illustrations. : : able 2. What are different types of ecosystems? Give a brief account of their classifica, 3. What ate the various components of an ecosystem? Explain them with au ne examples. le 4. Describe the gentetal chatacteristics of an ecosystem. ‘xplain the various types of biotic components found in an ecosystem, "What are non-living components of an ecosystem? Explain briefly. 7. Enumerate briefly the interrelationships between biotic and abiotic componen, of an ecosystem. 8. Who coined the term ‘ecosystem’? Explain. 9. Define ecosystem. 10. What are producers? Describe. 11. Name various types of consumers. 12, Write two important characteristics of ecosystem. 13. Name two components. of ecosystem. 14. Define homeostasis. Objective Questions: Select the correct answers: ""], The term ‘ecosystem’ was proposed by: (1) Carl Mobius (2) A. Tansely (3) E.Odum (4) E. Clement ‘The most appropriate definition of an ecosystem is: | (1) The biotic community of organisms together with.the environment in which they live. . - (2) The abiotic components of the habitat. (3) ‘The community of organisms interacting with one another.“ (4) The part of earth which inhabits living organisms. Which of the following occurs in abiotic components of ecosystem? (1). Cycling of Material (2) Flow of energy (8) Consumers (4) Both (1) and (2) 4, Energy is the driving source of an ecosystem. It primarily comes form: (1) Reserve food material (3) Heat liberated during respiration 5, Photosynthesis is found in- (1) Producers (3) Decomposers (2) Sun Light (4) Photosynthesis (2) Consumers (4). None of these Answers 1. (2) 2. (1) 3. (4) 4. (2) 5. (ly)