AIAS

Ecosystems
12.Oct.20

By:
DR. KARUNENDRA
ASST. PROFESSOR
AMITY INSTITUTE OF APPLIED SCIENCES
AMITY UNIVERSITY, NOIDA CAMPUS, UTTAR-
PRADESH
 Descriptors/Topics AIAS

1 Concept of an ecosystem,
2.Types of ecosystem,
3.Structure and function of an ecosystem, Producers, consumers and
decomposers. 4.Energy flow in the ecosystem, Food chains, food webs and
ecological pyramids.
5.Ecological succession.
6. Introduction, types, characteristic features, structure and function of
(i) Forest ecosystem,
(ii)Grassland ecosystem
(iv) Desert ecosystem,
(v) Aquatic ecosystems (ponds, streams, lakes, rivers, ocean estuaries)

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 Concept of an ecosystem AIAS

The term “Ecosystem" was first used in

1935 by British ecologist Arthur
Tansley.

 Ecosystem consists of an assembly of

mutually interacting organisms and
their environment .

 Ecosystem has physical, chemical,

and biological components along
with energy sources and pathways of
energy and materials interchange.

 Environment in which a particular

organism lives is called its habitat.
The role of an organism in a habitat is
called its niche.

Fig: Schematic representation of ecosystem

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 Components of Ecosystem AIAS

The structure of an ecosystem can be based on two important factors:

[A] Abiotic Components:

It includes Air, water, soil,
minerals, sunlight,
temperature, nutrients,
wind, altitude, turbidity, etc. 

[B] Biotic Components : Biotic

components can be categorized
into.:
 Autotrophs,
Heterotrophs (Primary, secondary and
tertiary)
Decomposers.
Fig: Basic factors of ecosystem

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 Types of ecosystem AIAS

An ecosystem can be classified into two main types :

Terrestrial Ecosystem
Aquatic Ecosystem

Terrestrial Ecosystems :There are different types of terrestrial ecosystems distributed

around various geological zones.
Forest Ecosystems
Grassland Ecosystems
Tundra Ecosystems
Desert Ecosystem

Aquatic Ecosystem: These can be further divided into two types:

Freshwater Ecosystem
Marine Ecosystem

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 Terrestrial Ecosystems
 Forest Ecosystems
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.
AIAS
 Grassland Ecosystems
In a grassland ecosystem, the
vegetation is dominated by
grasses and herbs. Temperate
grasslands, savanna grasslands
are some of the examples of
grassland ecosystems.
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 AIAS

 Tundra Ecosystems  Desert Ecosystem

Tundra ecosystems are devoid of trees
and are found in cold climates or where
rainfall is scarce. These are covered with
snow for most of the year. The ecosystem
in the Arctic or mountain tops is tundra
type.
Deserts are found throughout the
world. These are regions with very
little rainfall. The days are hot, and
the nights are cold.

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 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.
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 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
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Audio-Video on Iron Ore in India
AIAS

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 QUESTIONS
AIAS

1. What do you understand by “Ecosystem”.

2. Explain structure and important functions of ecosystem.

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 REFERENCE AIAS

[1] Ecosystem; chapter.3; DK Asthana;Schand; Environmental studies;14-15.\

[2] Ecosystem;Dr.Binocs Show;Peekadoo Kidz; Youtube channel.

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