ENVIROMENTAL EDUCATION & DISASTER MANAGEMENT

INTRODUCTION
BASICS OF ECOLOGY

• The term ecology was coined by the German scientist Ernst Haeckel
in 1869.
• The word ecology derived from Greek word-
‘Oikos’ (home) and ‘logos’ (study)
• Ecology is defined “as a scientific study of the relationship of the living
organisms with each other and with their environment.”
• It is the study of how plants and animals interact with each other, with
other organisms, and with their physical environment.
 LEVELS OF ORGANISATIONS IN ECOLOGY

The main levels of organisation of ecology are six and are as follows
1-Individual
Organism is an individual living being that has the ability to act or
function independently. It may be plant, animal, bacterium, fungi, etc
2- Population
Population is a group of organisms usually of the same species, occupying
a defined area during a specific time.
3-Community
A set of population of different species living together in a particular area.
4-Ecosystem –

Ecosystem is defined as the community where the living and non living
components of the environment interact with each others.

5-Biosphere-

Biosphere is a part of the earth where life can exist. Biosphere represents a
highly integrated and interacting zone comprising of atmosphere (air),
hydrosphere (water) and lithosphere (land).
ENVIRONMENT AND ITS COMPONENT

• Everything that surrounds or affects an organism during its life time

is collectively known as its environment.

• The environment is defined as ‘the sum total of living, non-living

components; influences and events, surrounding an organism.

• All organisms (from virus to man) are obligatorily dependent on the

other organism and environment for food, energy, water, oxygen,
shelter and for other needs.
ECOSYSTEM

• The term ecosystem was coined by an English botanist A.G. Tansley in

1935.

• Ecosystem is defined as the community where the living and non living
components of the environment interact with each others.

• An ecosystem is defined as a structural and functional unit of biosphere

consisting of community of living beings and the physical environment,
both interacting and exchanging materials between them.

• It includes plants, trees, animals, fish, birds, micro-organisms,water,

soil, and people.
Components of Ecosystem

the structure of an ecosystem can be split into two main components,

namely:

1-Biotic Components
2-Abiotic Components

1-Biotic Components

Biotic components include living organisms comprising plants, animals and

microbes and based on nutrition, biotic components can be categorised into
autotrophs, heterotrophs and saprotrophs (or 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.

Primary consumers are always herbivores that they rely on producers

for food.

Secondary consumers depend on primary consumers for energy. They

can either be a carnivore or an omnivore.
 •Tertiary consumers are organisms that depend on secondary
consumers for food. Tertiary consumers can also be an omnivore.

•Quaternary consumers 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.

•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.

a) Energy
Energy from the sun is essential for maintenance of life. In the case of
plants, the sun directly supplies the necessary energy. Since animals
cannot use solar energy directly they obtain it indirectly by eating plants
or animals or both. Energy determines the distribution of organisms in
the environment.
b) Rainfall
Water is essential for all living beings. Majority of biochemical reactions take
place in an aqueous medium. Water helps to regulate body temperature.
Further, water bodies form the habitat for many aquatic plants and animals.

c) Temperature
Temperature is a critical factor of the environment which greatly influences
survival of organisms. Organisms can tolerate only a certain range of
temperature and humidity.
d) Atmosphere
The earth’s atmosphere is responsible for creating conditions suitable
for the existence of a healthy biosphere on this planet.

g) Latitude and altitude

Latitude has a strong influence on an area’s temperature,
resulting in change of climates such as polar, tropical, and
temperate. These climates determine different natural biomes.
From sea level to highest peaks, wild life is influenced by
altitude. As the altitude increases, the air becomes colder
and drier, affecting wild life accordingly.
Classification of Eco-system:
Terrestrial Ecosystem

Terrestrial ecosystems are exclusively land-based ecosystems. There are

different types of terrestrial ecosystems distributed around various
geological zones.

They are as follows:

1.Forest Ecosystems
2.Grassland Ecosystems
3.Desert Ecosystem
Forest Ecosystem
A forest ecosystem consists of several plants, animals and
microorganisms that live in coordination with the abiotic factors of
the environment. Forests help in maintaining the temperature of the
earth and are the major carbon sink.

Grassland Ecosystem
In a grassland ecosystem, the vegetation is dominated by grasses and
herbs. Temperate grasslands, savanna grasslands are some of the
examples of grassland ecosystems.
Desert Ecosystem
Deserts are found throughout the world. These are regions with very little rainfall.
The days are hot and the nights are cold.

Aquatic Ecosystem
Aquatic ecosystems are ecosystems present in a body of water. These can be further
divided into two types, namely:
1.Freshwater Ecosystem
2.Marine Ecosystem
Freshwater Ecosystem
The freshwater ecosystem is an aquatic ecosystem that includes lakes, ponds, rivers,
streams and wetlands. These have no salt content in contrast with the marine ecosystem.
Marine Ecosystem
The marine ecosystem includes seas and oceans. These have a more substantial salt
content and greater biodiversity in comparison to the freshwater ecosystem.