Environmental Sciences

Elements of Ecology

Lecture Module -3
 Ecology
What is Ecology?
Ecology is the study of organisms and how they interact with the environment
around them. It studies the relationships between living organisms, including
humans, and their physical environment.
What is an Ecological System?
An “ecological system” (ecosystem) is a biological community consisting of
all the living organisms (including humans) in a particular area and the
nonliving components, such as air, water, and mineral soil, with which the
organisms interact. Ecosystems do not always have clear-cut boundaries.

 Systems can be thought of as three types: Open, Closed, and Isolated

Open System: An open system can exchange both energy and matter with its
surroundings. For example, a coffee cup is an open system
when compared to a thermos.
 Ecological Systems
Closed System: A closed system is a natural physical system that does not
allow the transfer of matter in or out of the system. Closed systems are
extremely rare in nature.

Isolated System: An isolated system exchanges neither matter nor energy.

These do not exist naturally. Though it is possible to think of the entire
Universe as an isolated system.
Species: A species is often defined as a group of individuals that actually or
potentially interbreed in nature. Or, A species is a distinct group of animals or
plants that have common characteristics and can breed with each other.
Ecological species explains that a species is a group of organisms that thrive
and exploit the same niche.
Population: A group of individuals that belong to the same species and live
in the same area.
 Ecological System
Ecological Community: In ecology, a community is a group or association
of populations of two or more different species occupying the same geographical
area at the same time, also known as a biocoenosis, biotic community,
biological community, ecological community, or life assemblage.
What is an Ecosystem?
An ecosystem is a structural and functional unit of ecology where living
organisms interact with each other and the surrounding environment. In other
words, an ecosystem is a chain of interactions between organisms and their
environment.
 Components of Ecosystem
Ecosystem has two components: Biotic
Components, and Abiotic Components.
Biotic components are living things that
have a direct or indirect influence on other
organisms in an environment. For example
plants, animals, and microorganisms and
their waste materials.
Abiotic components of an ecosystem include all chemical and physical
elements i.e. non-living components. Abiotic components can vary from
region to region, from one ecosystem to another.
A terrestrial ecosystem is a land-based community of organisms and
interactions of biotic and abiotic components in a given area. It consists of
abiotic factors like climate, type of soil or rock, altitude, temperature, nutrients,
and minerals, and biotic components like plants, animals, as well as fungi and
Bacteria.
 Structure & Functions of Few Ecosystems
Forest Ecosystem :
Structure of Forest ecosystem consists of organisms (plants, animals and
micro-organisms) and their habitats (the soil and air).
Functions of forest ecosystems are characterized by energy and nutrient flow
and cycling, biomass production, and decomposition of dead organic matter.
Grassland Ecosystem
The terrestrial ecosystem in which grasses and herbaceous plants are dominant
is referred to as the grassland ecosystem. Grasslands are areas dominated by
grasses. Grasslands are found in areas having well-defined hot and dry, warm
and rainy seasons.
Functions of Grassland Ecosystem
Energy flow through the food chain; Nutrient cycling (biogeochemical cycles);
Ecological succession or ecosystem development; Homeostasis (or cybernetic)
or feedback control mechanisms; increases the fertility of soil and regulates
productivity of the ecosystem; and reduces leaching of minerals due to low
rainfall.
 Structure & Functions of Few Ecosystems
Desert Ecosystem
Desert ecosystem is devoid of any precipitation and rainfall. So, the desert
ecosystem is a community of non-living and living organisms, living and
interacting with each other in an abandoned environment.
It's the interaction between Abiotic and Biotic Components of this environment.
Desert ecosystems are typically made of very fine, red sand, while some consist
of sand mixed with pebbles and rocks.

Functions of Desert Ecosystem

• It serves as a habitat for multiple species of animals and plants.
• It acts as the carbon sink.
• The ecosystem is a huge source of natural gas, oil, and minerals.
• Desert ecosystem contributes to the production of salt.
• It’s a perfect ecosystem for preserving the historical belongings of Mother
Nature.
 Structure & Functions of Few Ecosystems
Aquatic Ecosystem :
An aquatic ecosystem includes freshwater habitats like lakes, ponds, rivers,
oceans and streams, wetlands, swamps, etc., and marine habitats include oceans,
intertidal zone, reefs, seabed, and so on. The aquatic ecosystem is the habitat
for water-dependent living species including animals, plants, and microbes.
Functions of Aquatic Ecosystem
Aquatic ecosystems perform numerous valuable environmental functions.
They recycle nutrients, purify water, attenuate floods, augment and maintain
streamflow, recharge groundwater, and provide habitat for wildlife and
recreation for people.
Mangrove Ecosystem :
Mangroves serve as a buffer between marine and terrestrial communities
and protect shorelines from damaging winds, waves, and floods. Mangrove
thickets improve water quality by filtering pollutants and trapping sediments
from the land, and they reduce coastal erosion.
 Structure & Functions of Few Ecosystems
Specialized root structures allow
mangroves to live in oxygen-poor sediments.
Mangrove trees are adapted for survival in
oxygen-poor or anaerobic sediments through
specialized root structures.
Functions of Mangroves Ecosystem
Mangroves provide natural infrastructure and protection to nearby populated
areas by preventing erosion and absorbing storm surge impacts during extreme
weather events such as hurricanes. Their dense roots help bind and build soils.

Mangroves in Sundarban Area

 Structure & Functions of Few Ecosystems
Food Chain?
A food chain refers to the order of events in an ecosystem, where one living
organism eats another organism, and later that organism is consumed by
another larger organism.
The flow of nutrients and energy from one organism to another at different
trophic levels forms a food chain. The food chain also explains the feeding
pattern or relationship between living organisms. Trophic level refers to the
sequential stages in a food chain, starting with producers at the bottom,
followed by primary, secondary, and tertiary consumers. Every level in a food
chain is known as a trophic level.
 Food Web
Food Web :
A food web is the natural interconnection of food chains and a graphical
representation of what eats what in an ecological community. Another name
for the food web is the consumer-resource system.
In short, a food web consists of all the food chains in a single ecosystem.