UNIT I- Ecosystem Concepts

Module 1:
1.1 Ecosystem Structure
1.1.1 Ecosystem structural
components
1.1.2 Tropic structure
 The idea of the ecosystem is the
most fundamental concept in the field
of ecology. The ecosystem includes
 organisms
 populations
 communities
each influencing the properties of the
others.
An ecosystem is
 the combination of a community and
the chemical and physical factors
making up the nonliving environment

 a dynamic network of biological,

chemical, and physical interactions
that sustain a community and allow it
to respond to changes in
environmental conditions.
The ecosystem connotes
 obligatory relationships
 interdependence
 causal relationships
between and among the different habitats
and niches of organisms.
 The term ecosystem was first coined
by A.G.Tansely.
 Ecosystem consists of two words :

Eco Environment
Ecosystem
System Interaction
An ecosystem is
 the combination of a community and the
chemical and physical factors making up
the nonliving environment
 a dynamic network of biological,
chemical, and physical interactions that
sustain a community and allow it to
respond to changes in environmental
conditions.
Ecology, then, is the study of a system at a
level in which individuals or whole
organisms (plants, animals, or
microorganisms) may be considered
elements of interaction, either among
themselves or with a loosely organized
environmental matrix.
 According to E. P. Odum, an American ecologist,
the ecosystem is the basic functional unit of the
organism and their environment interacting with
each other and with their own components.
 e.g. Grassland, Forest, Aquarium, Pond, Lake, River,
and Ocean.

Grassland Ecosystem Forest Ecosystem Ocean Ecosystem

1. Organism: An organism is an individual
living being that has the ability to act or
function independently. It is the basic unit
of study in ecology.
2. Species: Species are groups of organisms
that can potentially interbreed to produce
fertile offspring.
3. Population: Group of organisms belonging
to the same species that live in the same
area and interact with one another.
4. Community: All of the populations of
different species that live in the same
area and interact with one another.
5. Ecosystem: All the living things (biotic) in
an area interacts with all of the non-
living parts (abiotic) of the environment.
6. Biome: Ecosystems with similar climates
(temperature and precipitation levels)
and types of biotic factors. 
7. Biosphere: Region of the Earth that is
home to living things. 
 
 Abiotic Eg. soil, water, light,
inorganic nutrients and
non-living weather

Ecosystem
Biotic Eg. producers and
consumers
living
1. Abiotic
The abiotic component of the ecosystem
refers to the physical environment or the
non-living factors. Examples of the abiotic
component comprise the soil, atmosphere,
solar radiation, and water. Abiotic factors
greatly determine the functions,
distribution, structure, behavior, and inter-
relationship of organisms in a habitat.
Without the abiotic component, organisms
cannot live or survive.
Some of the most essential elements for
food production and survival for both
animals and plants like water and air are
abiotic components. The abiotic component
is further divided into two that is; the
climatic factors and edaphic factors.
 Climatic factors: Climatic factors include
elements namely rain, light, temperature,
humidity, wind, and air.
 Edaphic factors: These are elements such
as minerals, soil, topography, and pH just
to mention a few.
2. Biotic
The biotic components of the ecosystems
are the living organisms including animals,
plants, and micro-organisms (Fungi and
Bacteria). The Biotic components are
further categorized into three based on
their functions in the ecosystem as
producers, consumers, and reducers or
decomposers.
🞆 From a nutrition point of view, the biotic
components of the ecosystem can be grouped
into three categories:

Biotic components of
Ecosystem

Producers Consumers Decomposers

 Producers
Producers or autotrophic organisms are
those living members of the ecosystem that
utilize sunlight as their energy source and
simple inorganic materials like water,
carbon dioxide, and salts to produce their
own food. Producers are largely
photosynthetic plants and their kind varies
with the kind of ecosystem For example, in a
dense forest the trees are the most
important producers.
In lakes and ponds, the producers are
rooted or large floating plants and
microscopic plants (phytoplankton), usually
algae. In the ocean, the rooted and floating
algae are the producers. However, whether
large or small, rooted in the soil or floating
in the water, all producers support an array
of consumers and decomposers.
 Consumers
Consumers are those living organisms that
ingest other organisms and are, therefore,
called heterotrophs. They derive their food
directly or indirectly from the producers or
the green plants. The food is then digested,
i.e., broken down to simple substances
which are metabolized in the consumer’s
body, and the waste products of their
metabolism are released into the
environment. The vast majority of
consumers are the animals.
1.Primary consumer: Also referred to as
first-order consumers or herbivores, the
animal species under this category
primarily feed on plants or primary
producers. Examples include zebras,
goats, cattle, rabbits, grasshoppers, deer
etc.
2. Secondary consumers: species under this
the category is also known as second-
order consumers or primary carnivores.
They mainly feed on herbivores and
examples here are rats, foxes, etc.
3. Tertiary consumers: Tertiary consumers
are the third-order consumers (large
carnivores) that feed on the secondary
consumers. Examples are wolves, owls,
and snakes.
4. Quaternary consumers: These are the
last-order consumers and they are
considered the largest carnivores. They
feed on primary, secondary, and tertiary
consumers and are not eaten by any
other animal. They are animals with little
or without natural enemies. Examples
are tigers, cheaters, lions, hawks,
polar bears, alligators, sharks, etc.
 Reducers or Decomposers

Reducers also known as detrivores (such as

worms, dung flies, vultures, and crabs) are
responsible for breaking down dead organic
matter. Decomposers, also known as
saprotrophs, are the fungi and bacteria
which finish the process by further breaking
down the dead remains of 
plants and animals into simple nutrients
through decomposition/biodegradation.
The nutrients (byproducts of the dead
organic materials) are then used by
producers resulting in a cyclic exchange of
materials in the ecosystem.