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S1 Evs Module 2 part 1

The document provides an overview of ecology and ecosystems, defining ecology as the study of living organisms in relation to their environment. It explains the concept of an ecosystem, which includes biotic components (living organisms) and abiotic components (non-living elements), and details the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers within the ecosystem. Additionally, it categorizes abiotic components into physical and chemical constituents that influence the ecosystem's structure and function.

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13 views

S1 Evs Module 2 part 1

The document provides an overview of ecology and ecosystems, defining ecology as the study of living organisms in relation to their environment. It explains the concept of an ecosystem, which includes biotic components (living organisms) and abiotic components (non-living elements), and details the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers within the ecosystem. Additionally, it categorizes abiotic components into physical and chemical constituents that influence the ecosystem's structure and function.

Uploaded by

muhsinaab05
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Module 2

Ecology and Ecosystems Biodiversity and its conservation and


Natural Resources

Ecology
The term ecology refers to the study of living organisms at home. As all organisms
have their own specific surroundings, the term ecology means the study of living
systems in relation to their environment.
According to Taylor, “ Ecology is the science of all relation of all organisms to all
their environment.”

What is an Ecosystem?
The ecosystem is the structural and functional unit of ecology where the living
organisms interact with each other and the surrounding environment. In other
words, an ecosystem is a chain of interaction between organisms and their
environment. 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.

Structure of the Ecosystem


The structure of an ecosystem is characterised by the organisation of both
biotic and abiotic components. This includes the distribution of energy in our
environment. It also includes the climatic conditions prevailing in that
particular environment.
The structure of an ecosystem can be split into two main components,
namely:

• Biotic Components
• Abiotic Components
The biotic and abiotic components are interrelated in an ecosystem. It is an
open system where the energy and components can flow throughout the
boundaries.

Biotic Components
Biotic components refer to all life in an ecosystem. Based on nutrition, biotic
components can be categorised into autotrophs, heterotrophs
and decomposers.

• Producers include all autotrophs such as plants. They are called


autotrophs as they can produce food through the process of
photosynthesis. Consequently, all other organisms higher up on the
food chain rely on producers for food.
• Consumers or heterotrophs are organisms that depend on other
organisms for food. Consumers are further classified into primary
consumers, secondary consumers and tertiary consumers.
o Primary consumers (herbivores) are always herbivores that
they rely on producers for food. Eg: deer, cow, goat ... etc.
o Secondary consumers ( small carnivores) depend on primary
consumers for energy. They can either be a carnivore or an
omnivore. Eg: snakes, cats, lizards ..etc.
o Tertiary consumers ( large carnivores) are organisms that
depend on secondary consumers for food. Tertiary consumers
can also be an omnivore. Eg: wolves, hawks etc.

o Quaternary consumers (largest carnivores) are present in


some food chains. These organisms prey on tertiary
consumers for energy. Furthermore, they are usually at the top of
a food chain as they have no natural predators. Eg: lion, tiger,
bear etc.
• Decomposers include saprophytes such as fungi and bacteria. They
directly thrive on the dead and decaying organic matter. Decomposers
are essential for the ecosystem as they help in recycling nutrients to be
reused by plants.
Abiotic Components
Abiotic components are the non-living component of an ecosystem. It
includes air, water, soil, minerals, sunlight, temperature, nutrients, wind,
altitude, turbidity, etc.
The abiotic components are further classified into physical and chemical
constituents. The physical constituents are soil, temperature, light and water.
Chemical components consists of inorganic and organic structure such as
phosphorous, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, carbohydrates, fats, protein etc.

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