Ecosystem Dynamics

1. Give the equations for chemosynthesis and photosynthesis. Which one of these two do you
think is vital for ecosystems on earth? Give reasons in brief.

Answer:

Equation of chemosynthesis:

12H2S + 6CO2 → C6H12O6 + 6H2O + 12S

Equation of photosynthesis:

Energy + 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2

Chemosynthesis and photosynthesis are two types of primary productions found among
organisms. Chemosynthesis and photosynthesis fuel all the life forms on the earth. They are both
processes by which organisms produce food; photosynthesis is powered by sunlight while
chemosynthesis runs on chemical energy Chemosynthesis is vital for earth ecosystems on earth
as per my understanding. Chemosynthesis may have also been the first type of metabolism that
evolved on Earth, leading the way for cellular respiration and photosynthesis to develop later.
2. Do you think a pandemic can potentially spread out from the ecosystem? Give reasons for
the concept of ecosystem dynamics.

Answer:
3. Sketch the flow diagram(s) to show the resistance and resilience of a land-based ecosystem
after deforestation.

Answer:
4. What should be the change in energy flow for a typical ecosystem where there are 3 levels
of consumers? Show with the help of the energy-time graph.

Answer:

5. Mention the basic differences between the food web and the food chain.

Answer: A food chain is a basic network that shows the linear flow of nutrients and energy from
one trophic level to another. A food web is a multitude of interconnected food chains at many
trophic levels.

Difference Between Food Chain and Food Web:

Food Chain Food Web

A linear pathway showing the flow of energy A multitude of networks show the flow of energy

An organism of higher-level trophic feeds on a An organism of a higher trophic level has access to
specific organism of lower trophic level more members of a lower trophic level.

Does not affect the adaptability and Has a role in improving the adaptability and
competitiveness of organisms. competitiveness of an organism.

6. Mention the names of substances we give up in the environment which can be harmful to
us.

Answer: The names of the substances we give up in the environment which can be harmful to us
are:

• Mercury
• Cadmium
• Plastic
• Lead
• Benzene
• Asbestos
7. Name the natural external factors of a land-based ecosystem with a brief focus on one
example.

Answer: Forest is a land-based ecosystem. Climate change is an important external factor in this
ecosystem. It is one of the biggest current and future threats to forest biodiversity. It impacts
directly on species as well as their habitats. Climate change favors species with particular traits
(e.g., favoring light-colored insects), whereas other species may be reduced in their abundance
or even die out, at least locally. As tree pests and diseases may also benefit from climate change,
e.g., through increased winter temperature or prolonged vegetation periods, impacts on tree
species will increase, which may lead to a transformation of major forest types. Climate change
also causes shifts of species to higher latitudes and elevations, in their attempt to stay in the
temperature range they are adapted to.

8. For a drought happening several years back in the northern part of the country explain the
resistance and resilience of the ecosystem in a diagram.

Answer:

9. Explain the results of the simulation to producers and consumers.

Answer: