Ecosystem:

Ecology: Study of living organisms and their dependence on each other and the
non-living components of environment is called ecology
Ecosystem: It is a functional biological unit within which living organisms
interact with each other and the abiotic (non-living) factors of the environment
to make it a self-sustaining unit.
Types of ecosystem:
Terrestrial:
Desert
Forest
Grasslands
Aquatic:
Marine
Freshwater
Estuarine
Components of ecosystem:
Biotic components: It consists of all the living organisms that are present in an
ecosystem.
They are of 3 types:
1. Producers (Autotrophs) All plants
2. Consumers (Heterotrophs)
1Degree Herbivores
2Degree Carnivores
3. Decomposers (Saprotrophs)
Abiotic components: It consists of the non-living elements of the environment
that influence the biotic components of an ecosystem.
They are of 3 types:
1. Inorganic (Minerals & Nutrients)
2. Organic (C, H, O present as dead bodies and in excreta of animals)
3. Physical
Temperature, Rainfall, Sunlight, Humidity -> Climatic Factors
pH level, Topography -> Ediphic Factos
Functional
1. Food Chains/Food Webs
2. Energy Flow
3. Nutrient/Mineral cycles
4. Ecosystem Production
5. Biodiversity
Food Chain: It is a sequential process of transfer of energy from one organism to
the other by eating and getting eaten.

Two types:
1. Grazing food chain: Depends directly on influx of solar radiation.
Grass Grasshopper Rabbit Jackal Lion
2. Detritrus food chain: initiates with detritrus
Leaf litter Algae Small Fish Large Fish
Food Web: It is a network of interconnected food chains in which different types
of organisms are connected to each other at different trophic levels.
Energy Flow: It refers to the transference of energy from organisms at one
trophic level to the other.
There are 2 models of energy flow:
1. Unidirectional model of energy flow
2. Bidirectional (Y-shaped) model of energy flow
Nutrient/Material Cycles:
The cyclic transfer of nutrients (C, N, O2, P) within an ecosystem.
Carbon cycle

Oxygen cycle

 Nitrogen cycle

Phosphorus cycle

Ecosystem Production:
Primary Production: Refers to the rate at which radiant energy of the sun is
converted to organic matter by primary producers (Green plants)
Gross Primary Production (GPP)
Net Primary Production (NPP)
GPP = NPP + Respiration losses
Secondary Production: Refers to the rate of resynthesis of all organic matter by
consumers
Biodiversity: It is the degree of variations of life forms within a species, an
ecosystem or the entire earth.
It is of 3 types:
Genetic Biodiversity
Threats to biodiversity:
1. Habitat loss Deforestation/Drying up of marshy
areas/Pollution/Population
2. Habitat Fragmentation
3. Introduction of alien species
4. Extinction of species
Biodiversity Conservation:
1. In-situ conservation: Wildlife Sanctuaries, National Parks, Biosphere
reserves, Protected forests.
2. Ex-situ conservation: Gene Banks, Tissue culture, cryo preservation
Types of Ecosystem:
Forest Ecosystem: Abundance of floral species that are inter-spread as large
trees, climbers, herbs, shrubs or mosses and lichens
Types:
1. Tropical Evergreen Forests Near equator; Very high rainfall; Hot
climate, temperature doesnt vary much; Leaves are never shed.
2. Tropical Deciduous Forests Near tropics; Rainfall in monsoon; Warm
climate; Leaves shed during autumn.
3. Temperate Evergreen forests Temperate regions; moderate
temperature; coniferous trees.
4. Temperate Deciduous forests Temperate regions; moderate
temperature; leaves are shed during autumn and winters.
Desert Ecosystem Dry areas with low precipitation, very low vegetation and
biodiversity

Xerophitic plants which have a waxy coating over leaves to reduce transpiration
and prevent loss of water.
Types:
1. Hot Deserts: Sahara, Thar Desert
2. Moderate Desert: Mojave Desert
3. Cold Deserts: Gobi, Namib
Grassland Ecosystem Long stretches of land covered with majorly grassy
shrubs and few trees. Covers 1/4th of the Earth.
Types:
1. Tropical Grasslands
2. Temperate Grasslands
3. Polar Grasslands