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EST Unit-3

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EST Unit-3

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yashdhawale24
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MSBTE

Program – COMPUTER ENGINEERING


Program Code – CO

Course- ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES


Course Code – 22447
Sem – Vth
CHAPTER 03- Ecosystem and Biodiversity

HR: 08 MARKS:12

COURSE OUTCOMES
CO- c : Conserve Ecosystem and Biodiversity.
CHAPTER 03- Ecosystem and Biodiversity

DEFINITION - ECOSYSTEM
The term “Ecosystem” was first coined by A.G.Tansley, an English botanist, in 1935.

The living community of plants and animals in any area together with the non-living
components of the environment such as soil, air and water, constitute the
ecosystem.
ASPECTS OF ECO-SYSTEM
The eco-system can be defined as any spatial or organizational unit including living
organisms and non-living substances interacting to produce an exchange of materials
between the living and non-living parts.

Structural aspects
Ecosystem
Aspects of

Functional
aspects
STRUCTURAL ASPECTS OF ECO-SYSTEM
Biotic Components : Organisms

Producers
• Plants

Consumers
• Animals

Decomposers
• Micro organisms
Functions of Ecosystem

Energy
Cycles

Food
Evolution
Chains

Nutrient
Diversity
Cycles
Functional aspects

1) Energy cycles

 The energy cycle is based on the flow of


energy through the ecosystem.
 Energy from sunlight is converted by
plants themselves into growing new
plant material which includes leaves,
flowers, fruit, branches, trunks and
roots of plants.
 During photosynthesis carbon dioxide is
taken up by plants and oxygen is
released.
 Animals depend on this oxygen for their
respiration.

.
Functional aspects
Functional aspects – 2) Food chains
 Plants can grow by converting the sun’s energy directly into their tissues, they are known as
producers in the ecosystem.
 The plants are used by herbivorous animals as food, which gives them energy.
 The carnivores in turn depend on herbivorous animals on which they feed.
 Thus the different plant and animal species are linked to one another through food chains
 Each food chain has three or four links.

.
Functional aspects – 3) Diversity - Inter linkages between
organisms
 The different plant and animal
species are linked to one another
through food chains.
 Each food chain has three or four
links. However as each plant or
animal can be linked to several
other plants or animals through
many different linkages.
 These inter-linked chains can be
depicted as a complex food web.
 This is thus called the ‘web of life’
that shows that there are
thousands of interrelationships in
nature.
Functional aspects – 4) Nutrient cycles- (Biogeochemical cycles)

 Biogeochemical cycles are pathways of


transport & transformation of nutrient
 These consists of Two types –
Gaseous cycles e.g. Carbon cycle, Nitrogen
cycle etc.
Sedimentary cycle e.g phosphorus
cycle, sulphur cycle etc.
 Carbon is released from ecosystem as
carbon dioxide gas by the process
of respiration.
 This CO2 gas is used by plants to
prepare carbohydrates which is used by
animals as food.
 Animals and plants again release CO2
through respiration.
Division of Ecosystem
The ecosystem can be divided, from the energetic view point into three types of
organisms: producers, consumers, and reducers. These can be explained as under:
Division of Ecosystem
(1) Producer
Photosynthetic algae, plants and bacteria are the producers of
the ecosystem; all other organisms depend upon them directly or
indirectly for food

(2) Consumers
Consumers are herbivorous, carnivorous, and omnivorous
animals; they eat the organic matter produced by other
organisms.

(3) Reducers
Reducers are heterotrophic organisms like animals; they are fungi
and bacterial that decompose dead organic matter.
Functions of Eco-system
Functions of Eco-system
1. Transformation of Solar Energy into Food Energy
(Photosynthesis)
 The solar radiation is the basic input of energy entering the
ecosystem.
 The green plants receive it. And is converted into heat energy.
 It is only a small proportion of radiant solar energy that is used
by plant to make food through the process of photosynthesis.
 Green plants transform a part of solar energy into food energy
or chemical energy.
 The chemical energy becomes the source of energy to the
herbivorous animals of the food chain.
Solar Energy into Food Energy
2. The Circulation of elements through Energy Flow (e.g
Carbon Cycle)

 In the various biotic components of the ecosystem the


energy flow is the main driving force of nutrient
circulation.
 The organic and inorganic substances are moved
reversibly through various closed system of cycles in the
biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere.
 This activity is done in such a way that total mass of
these substances remains almost the same and is always
available to biotic communities.
Elements through Energy Flow
(e.g Carbon Cycle)
3. The Conversion of Elements into
Inorganic Flow (e.g Nitrogen Cycle)
• The organic elements of plants and animals are released in the
under mentioned ways:
• (i) Decomposition of leaf fallen from the plants ,dead plants and
animals by decomposers and their conversion into soluble
inorganic form.
• (ii) Burning of vegetation by lighting, accidental forest fire or
deliberate action of man. When burnt, the portions of organic
matter are released to the atmosphere and these again fall down,
under the impact of precipitation, on the ground. Then they
become soluble inorganic form of element to join soil storage.
• (iii) The waste materials released by animals are decomposed by
bacteria. They find their way in soluble inorganic form to soil
storage.
3. The Conversion of Elements into
Inorganic Flow (e.g Nitrogen Cycle)
4. The Growth and Development of
Plants

 In the biogeochemical cycles are included the uptake


of nutrients of inorganic elements by the plants
through their roots.
 The nutrients are derived from the soil where these
inorganic elements are stored.
 The decomposition of leaves, plants and animals and
their conversion into soluble inorganic form are
stored into soil contributing to the growth and
development of plants.
4. The Growth and Development of
Plants
5. Productivity of ecosystem
• 5. Productivity of ecosystem
 The productivity of an ecosystem refers to the rate of
production i.e. the amount of organic matter, which is
accumulated in any unit time.
Biodiversity
Biodiversity

Bio – Life: Diversity- Variety


Biodiversity is the variety and variability among all group of
living organisms and the ecosystem in which they occur.

Definition:
Biological diversity’ or biodiversity is that part of nature
which includes the differences in genes among the
individuals of a species, the variety and richness of all the
plant and animal species at different scales in space, locally,
in a region, in the country and the world, and various types
of ecosystems, both terrestrial and aquatic, within a
defined area.
Biodiversity

Levels of
Biodiversity

Genetic Species Ecosystem


Biodiversity Biodiversity Biodiversity
Levels of biodiversity :

Genetic diversity
 It includes the genetic variations within species, both
among geographically separated populations and among
individuals within single population.
e.g. variety of rice, teak wood ,dog etc.
 Each member of any animal or plant species differs widely
from other individuals in its genetic makeup because of
the large number of combinations possible in the genes
that give every individual specific characteristics.
 Thus, for example, each human being is very different
from all others. This genetic variability is essential for a
healthy breeding population of a species
Genetic diversity
Genetic diversity
It refers to the variations among the genetic
resources of the organisms.
Every individual of a particular species differs from
each other in their genetic constitution.
That is why every human looks different from each
other.
Similarly, there are different varieties in the same
species
Species diversity
Species diversity
 It includes full range of species from micro organisms to giants
and mammoth varieties of plants and animals, e.g. single celled
viruses and bacteria etc. and multi-cellular plants, animals and
fungi.
 Plant species - e.g. Apple, mango, grapes etc.
Animal species- e.g. Lion, tiger, elephant etc.
 Natural undisturbed tropical forests have a much greater species
richness than plantations developed by the Forest Department
for timber
 At present conservation scientists have been able to identify and
categorize about 1.8 million species on earth
Species diversity
Ecosystem diversity
 It provides variation in the
biological communities in
which species Jive, exist and
interact.
e.g .River ecosystem, Forest
ecosystem,
Desert ecosystem etc.
 There are a large variety of
different ecosystems on
earth, which have their own
complement of distinctive
inter linked species based on
the differences in the habitat.
 India is exceptionally rich in
its ecosystem diversity.
Threats to the Biodiversity

Biodiversity is under
serious threat as a result of
human activities.
CAUSES OF BIODIVERSITY
LOSSES
There are four major causes
(called “The Evil Quartet”) of
biodiversity losses:
1. Habitat loss and
fragmentation,
2. Over exploitation,
3. Alien species invasions
4. Co-extinction
Threats to the Biodiversity
1. Habitat loss and fragmentation:
The tropical rain forests, once covering 14
per cent of the land surface of Earth, but
now they cover only 6 per cent of the
land area.
The Amazon rain forests (called the
‘lungs of the planet’) are cleared for
cultivation of soybeans or are converted
into grasslands for raising beef-cattle.
The loss of a habitat deprives many
animals and plants their homes and they
face extinction.
Degradation of many habitats by
pollution threatens the survival of many
species.
Threats to the Biodiversity

2. Over-exploitation
•Humans have always depended on
nature for food and shelter, etc.
•The population explosion is the
major reason for the over-
exploitation of available resources.

•Many species extinctions in the last


500 years such as Steller’s sea cow,
passenger pigeon were due to
overexploitation by humans.

•Currently, several marine fish


populations around the world are
over-harvested, threatening the
sustained existence of certain
commercially important species.
Threats to the Biodiversity

3. Alien species invasions:


When alien species are
introduced in an area, some of
them become invasive and may
cause extinction of indigenous
species,

e.g.: Introduction of Nile Perch into


Lake Victoria (East Africa) caused
extinction of many species of cichlid
fish in lake.
Invasive weed species such as
Parthenium (carrot grass)
Threats to the Biodiversity
4. Co-extinction:
When a species becomes
extinct, the plant and animal
species associated with it also
become extinct, e.g.
When a host fish becomes
extinct, its unique parasites
also become extinct.
Similarly, when one partner
of a co-evolved pollitator
mutualism becomes extinct,
the other partner also have
the same fate.
Hotspots of Biodiversity
A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region that is both
a significant reservoir of biodiversity and is threatened with
destruction.
Large regions containing exceptional concentrations of
plants and animals and experiencing high rates of habitat
loss.
India is known for its rich biodiversity and has around
24.46% of the geographical area covered by forests and
trees.
Coined by Norman Myers, the term “Biodiversity hotspots”
can be defined as the regions which are known for their
high species richness and endemism.
Biodiversity Hotspots

Important hot spots in India,


1.Western Ghats and Sri Lanka
2.Himalaya
3.Indo-Burma
Hotspots of Biodiversity

1. Western Ghats And Sri Lanka


The western Ghats, known locally as the Sahyadri hills run parallel
to India's western coast, about 30 to 50 Km inland.
They cover an area about 1,60,000 Sq Km and stretch for 1,600 Km
from Gujarat to south tip.
It is habitat for variety of mammals, reptiles, birds and plants.

Purple Moor Nilgiri


Hen Tahr
Hotspots of Biodiversity
2. Himalayan
Includes the entire Indian Himalayan region
(and that falling in Pakistan, Tibet, Nepal,
Bhutan, China and Myanmar).
The hotspot is home to important
populations of numerous large birds and
mammals, including vultures, tigers,
elephants, rhinos and wild water buffalo.

Tige Rhino Vulture


r
Hotspots of Biodiversity
3. Indo-Burma
Encompassing more than 2 million km² of
tropical Asia. Indo-Burma is still revealing its
biological treasures.
Six large mammal species have been
discovered in the last 12 years.
This hotspot also holds remarkable endemism
in freshwater turtle species.
Bird life in Indo-Burma is also incredibly
diverse, holding almost 1,300 different bird
species

Spot billed Saola Pangoli


Endangered species
Organisms whose number have declined rapidly and species might be
wiped off from the earth in near future are called Endangered Species
World Wildlife Federation (WWF) published a book containing the
details of endangered and threatened species of Flora and Fauna
called as RED DATA BOOK or RED LIST BOOK
The RED DATA BOOK symbolizes a warning signal for those species
which are endangered and have to be protected. Otherwise they are
likely to become extinct in the near future.
Endangered species
Conservation of
Biodiversity
Biodiversity conservation is the protection and
management of biodiversity to obtain
resources for sustainable development.

Biodiversity conservation has three main


objectives:

•To preserve the diversity of species.

•Sustainable utilization of species and


ecosystem.

•To maintain life-supporting systems and


essential ecological processes.
Conservation of
Biodiversity
There are two approaches for conservation of biodiversity:
1. In –situ conservation ( on site conservation)
2. Ex-situ conservation ( off site conservation)
Conservation of
Biodiversity
In-situ Conservation
In-situ conservation of biodiversity is the conservation of
species within their natural habitat. In this method, the
natural ecosystem is maintained and protected.

The in-situ conservation has several advantages.


Following are the important advantages of in-situ
conservation:
1.It is a cost-effective and convenient method of
conserving biodiversity.
2.A large number of living organisms can be conserved
simultaneously.
3.Since the organisms are in a natural ecosystem, they
can evolve better and can easily adjust to different
environmental conditions.
Certain protected areas where in-situ conservation takes
place include national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and
biosphere reserves.
In –situ conservation ( on site conservation)
1. Biosphere Reserves
These are large tracts of protected land with multiple use preserving the
genetic diversity of representative ecosystem by protecting wildlife, traditional
life styles of the tribals and varied plant and animal genetic resources.
2. National Parks
These are areas reserved for wildlife where they are able to obtain all the
required natural resources and proper habitats.
3. Wildlife Sanctuaries
These Are Tracts Of Land With Or Without lake where animals are protected
from all types of exploitation and habitat disturbance.
4. Sacred Groves
These are tracts of forest set aside where all the trees and wildlife within are
venerated and given total protection.
Such sacred groves are found in Khasi and Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya; Aravali
Hills of Rajasthan; Western Ghat regions of Karnataka and Maharashtra and the
Sarguja; Chanda and Bastar area of Madhya Pradesh.
Ex-situ conservation ( off site conservation)
1. Botanical Gardens: Botanical garden is a place
where plants, especially ferns, conifers and flowering
plants, are grown and displayed for the purposes of
research and education.
2. Zoological Parks: The place where wild animals and,
in some instances, domesticated animals are exhibited in
captivity. In such an establishment, animals can
generally be given more intensive care than is possible
in nature reserves or sanctuaries.
3. Seed Banks: A seed bank is a bank where seeds of
different crops and rare plant species are stored for
future use. Seed banks are created to maintain and
protect biodiversity, where samples of all species are
collected and stored.

4. Gene Banks: Gene banks are a type of bio


repository which preserve genetic material. For plants,
this is done by in vitro storage, freezing cuttings from the
plant, or stocking the seeds. For animals, this is done by
Various Laws for conservation of
biodiversity
The concept of conservation of
biodiversity is enshrined in
the Indian Constitution in Article 48(A) and
51A (g). Major Central Acts relevant
to biodiversity are:
1. The Indian Forest Act, 1927;
2. The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972;
3. The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980;
4. The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986;
5. The Biological Diversity Act, 2002;
6. The Scheduled Tribes and Other Forest
Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights)
Act, 2006.
Values of Biodiversity

• Consumptive Use Value


• Productive use value
Values of • Social Use Value
Biodiversity • Ethical and Moral Values
• Aesthetic Value

• Forests ecosystems
Biodiversity • Inland wetlands ecosystems
Assessment • Coastal and marine ecosystems.
Initiative in
India
Biodiversity

Biodiversity adds a flavor in healthy


Environment hence its Conservation is a
Global Need.

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