BIOSPHERE

Structure and Composition of Biosphere

Biosphere -All living components of the Earth. All plants animals and microbes and their
surroundings are known as biosphere.
Environment has two components- Abiotic (physical and inorganic) and Biotic (organic).

The structure of Biosphere has three components: Abiotic, Biotic and energy components.
I. Abiotic Components: It consists of all non-living elements which are essential for the survival of
all living organisms. It has lithosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere. Mineral nutrients, gases and
water are three basic requirements of organic life.
II. Biotic Components: It includes Plants, animals and human beings to make biotic components
of environment. There are three sub-system:
 Plants: They are very important part of biotic components. They are primary producers of
food through process of photosynthesis. They are called autotrophs.
 Animals: They are main consumers of plant produce, hence known as Heterotrophs. They use
organic matter produced by plants and transform the food into energy (used in growth and
development).
 Micro-organism: They act as decomposers of dead plants and animals.
III. Energy: It is vital component of biosphere which is essential for reproduction and generation
of all biological life on Earth.

Structure and composition of Biosphere

Ecological System: Interactions of a particular group of organisms with abiotic factors within a
particular habitat resulting in particular habitat resulting in clearly defined energy flows and
material cycles on land, water & air.
Ecology: Derived from Greek word ‘oikos’ meaning house and ‘logy’ means science. Ernst Haeckel
used the term in 1869 for the first time. The study of interactions between life forms and physical
environment is known as science of ecology. So, it is the study of abiotic and biotic interactions.
Habitat: It is the totality of physical and chemical factors that constitute the general environment.
Ecosystem: System of biotic and abiotic components inter-related and interact with each.
Therefore, an ecosystem involves interactions among different components and flow of energy
among these components.
Ecological adaptation: Plants and animals’ species have got adapted through evolution to
different types of environmental conditions.
a. Flow of Energy in the Ecosystem: It involves transfer of energy from one trophic level to
another. Trophic level is the stage at which food energy passes from one group to another. It
occurs through the food chain.
b. Food Chain: Food chain is basically the sequence of transfer of energy from the organisms in
one trophic level to another trophic level. It is a fact that the Sun is the major source of energy.
The number of organisms at a trophic level depends upon the availability of food at its lower
level.

There are two types of organism in food chains: Autotrophs and heterotrophs. Autotrophs have
three broad categories of herbivores, carnivores and omnivores. There are two types of Food
chains- grazing and detritus food chain.

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 i. Grazing Food Chain– It has plants at the first level and last level is occupied by carnivores.
Here loss of energy at each level occurs through respiration, excretion or decomposition.
ii. Detritus Food Chain– It is based on autotrophs energy capture initiated by grazing animals.
Decomposition of organic waste that is derived from grazing food chain.

Biogeochemical cycle:
The cyclic movement of chemical elements of biosphere between organism and the environment
is known as Biogeochemical Cycle. It involves movement and circulation of soluble inorganic
substances (known as nutrients) that are derived from soil, and atmospheric forms of inorganic
substances through organic form of various biotic components.

Figure: Biosphere biogeochemical cycle

There are two types of biogeochemical cycles in the description of biosphere:

i. Gaseous cycle– main reservoir of nutrient is atmosphere and the ocean.
ii. Sedimentary cycle– Main reservoir of nutrient is soil and sedimentary and other rocks of
the crust.

The Water / Hydrological Cycle:

It helps in exchange of water between air, land, sea and living plants and animals. Solar energy
drives the hydrological cycle. It causes massive evaporation, from oceans and other water bodies
leading to cloud formation and precipitation. On surface, it acts as freshwater in form of snow,
groundwater.

The Nitrogen Cycle:

In the structure and composition of biosphere, the Nitrogen cycle plays a very important role.
Since Nitrogen is essential for life processes, its continuous supply is maintained by nitrogen cycle
in the biosphere. The protein produced by animals and plants during their metabolic processes
leads to formation of organic compounds of nitrogen. A major amount of nitrogenous organic
residue in soil has its origins in dead and decayed plants and excreta of animals. These organic
residues in the soil are then taken up by soil micro-organisms which break down the soil nitrates

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into nitrogen by the process of denitrification while others transform nitrogen in form of soluble
nitrogen compounds.

Natural Vegetation
Forest Ecosystem:
The Forrest Ecosystem is a Complex Assemblage of Different kinds of the Biotic Communities. The
Nature of Soil, Climate and Local Topography determine the Distribution of trees and their
Abundance in the Forest vegetation.

The forest Ecosystem is Classified into three Major Categories:

a) Coniferous Forest
b) Temperature Forest
c) Topical Forest

Coniferous Forest:
 Coniferous Forest has a High Rainfall with Long Winters and Short Summers.
 The Evergreen Plants Species Such as Spruce, fir and Pine Trees, etc.
 Boreal Forest Soils Are Thin Podozols and Rather Proof.
 These Soils Are Acidic and Mineral Deficit due to Large Movement of Soil in the Rocks.
 The Productivity and Community Stability of a Boreal Forest and Lower than those of Any
other forest Ecosystem.

Temperature Deciduous Forest:

 The Temperature of this Forest is Moderate Climate and Broad Leafed Deciduous.
 The Precipitation is Fairly Uniform Throughout
 Soils of the Temperature forest are Podzolic and Fairly Deep.

Temperature Evergreen Forest:

 This Forest has a Mediterranean type of Climate of Characterized by Warm, Dry Summers and
Cool, Moist Winters.
 They are Commonly inhabited by low Broad-Leafed Evergreen trees.
 Fire is the Important Factor of this ecosystem and the adaptation of the Plants enable them
to regenerate quickly after being hunt.

Temperature Rain Forest:

 This Forest is the Exhibit a Marked Seasonality with Regard to Temperature and Rainfall
 Rainfall is High and Fog is May be Very heavy.
 The Biotic Diversity of Temperature of Rain forest is high as Compared to the other forest.

Tropical Rain Forest:

 Tropical Rain Forest Occurs Near to the Equator.
 Both temperature and Humidity remains high Less and Uniform
 The Flora is Highly Diversified.
 Soil of Red Tropical Rainforest Are Red Latosols, and they are Very Thick.
 Undergrowth is Restricted in many areas by the Lack of Sunlight at a Ground Level

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Tropical Rainforest:
 It is also Known as Monsoon Forest where the Total Annual Rainfall is High.
 This Kind of Forest found in the South east Asia and South America.

Subtropical Rainforest:
 This Region has a fairly high rainfall and Less Temperature.
 Epiphytes are Common here.
 Animal Life of Subtropical Forest is very Similar to that of Tropical Forest.

Deforestation
Causes:
a) Shifting Cultivation: In this Practice a Patch of Land is Cleared vegetation is Burned and the
Ash is Mixed with the Soil and Adding Nutrients to the Soil. The Patch of Land is cleared for
using the Crops and two or three years is Modest. All that is required is the Method of the
Cultivation is a Set of the Simple tools and not required a High-Level Mechanism.
b) Development Project: The Human Population is Increased So with Requirements. Many of
the Project Immerse Deforestation.
c) Fuel Requirements: The Increasing Demands of the Firewood with the Growing Population
increases with the Greater Pressure on the Forests.
d) Raw Materials: Wood is used for the Various Industries for Making the Paper, Plywood and
the Match Sticks.
e) Other Causes: Deforestation also Causes the Overgrazing and Agriculture, mining and
Urbanization, Pest Disease, Communication Activities.

Aquatic Ecosystem
An Ecosystem which consists the water is the main source of the habitat is known as the Aquatic
Ecosystem. An aquatic ecosystem is essentially a group of interacting organisms dependent on
one another and their water environment for nutrients (e.g., nitrogen and phosphorus) and
shelter.
While, familiar examples are ponds, lakes and rivers, but aquatic ecosystems also include areas
such as floodplains and wetlands, which are flooded with water for all or only some parts of the
year.
a) Fresh Water Ecosystem: The Salt Contains the Fresh Water Bodies is Very Low always than
the 5ppt.
b) Marine Ecosystem: The Water Bodies Contains the Salt Concentration Equal or Above the Sea
Level.
c) Brackish Water Ecosystem: These Water Bodies have Salt in the Content between 5 and 35
PPT.

Aquatic Organisms
The Organisms in the Aquatic Organisms are unevenly distributed but can be classified on the
basis of their life:
 Neuston: They are Unattached Organisms Which Live at the air water interface Such as
Floating Plants Etc. Some of the Organisms Spend Most of the Lives at the top of the Air Water
Surface.

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 Periphyton: These Organisms Which Remain Attached with the Steams and Leaves of the
Rooted Plants or Substances Emerging Above the Bottom Mud.
 Plankton: This Group includes all the Microscopic Plants such as Algae and Animals Like
Crustaceans and Protozoans.
 Nekton: These Group Contains Animals Which Are Swimmers. They are Relatively Large and
Powerful. The Animals range in Size from the Swimming Insects to the Largest Animals like
Blue whale.
 Benthos: The Benthic Organisms are those Found Living in the Bottom of the water
Mass. Every Aquatic ecosystem contains well developed Benthos.

Factors Affecting the Aquatic Habitats:

 Sunlight: Sunlight Penetration Rapidly Diminishes as it Passes down the Coloum of Water. As
Based on the Light Penetration and Plant Distribution they are Classifies as Photic and Aphotic
Zones.
 Photic Zones: It’s the Layer of the Aquatic Ecosystem, up to Which Light Penetrates and
Within Photosynthesis Activity Confined. Both Photosynthesis and Respiration Activity.
 Aphotic Zones: The Lower Layers of the Aquatic Ecosystem Where Light Penetration and Plant
Growth Are Restricted forms the Aphotic Zones. Only Respiration Activity took Place.
 Dissolved Oxygen: In Aquatic Ecosystem Oxygen dissolved in Water, where it Concentrates
Varies Constantly Depending on Factors that Influence the input and Output of Oxygen in
Water. Oxygen Enters the Aquatic Ecosystem through air Water interface and by
Photosynthetic Activities of Aquatic Plants.
 Transparency: It Effects the Extent of the Light Penetration. Suspended Particulate Matters
Such as Clay, Slit, Phytoplankton, Etc.
 Temperature: The Water Temperature Changes Less Rapidly than the temperature of Air
Because Water has a Considerably Higher Specific heat than air. Since Water Temperature Are
Less Subject to Change, the Aquatic Organisms have Narrow Temperature Tolerance Limit.

Lake Ecology
Ageing of Lakes: Lakes are Born as they Originate by Various Geological and Geomorphic Events
and grow with time to time in Various Stages. Over Periods Spanning Millennia Ageing Occurs as
the Lakes Accumulate Mineral and Organic Matter and Gradually Filled up.

Eutrophication: Eutrophia Means Adequate and Healthy Nutrition. It is a Syndrome of ecosystem

response to Addition of Artificial or Natural Substances Such as Nitrates and Phosphorus.
Eutrophication is the Enrichment of an Aquatic system by the Addition of Nutrients.
 Some Algae and Blue Green bacteria thrive on the excess ions and a population explosion
covers almost entire surface layer is known as algal bloom.
 Oxygen is required by all the respiring animals in the water and it is replenished by
photosynthesis of green plants.
 All this eventually leads to degradation of Aquatic ecosystem and death of its organisms.
 It leads to change in animal and plant population & degradation of water & habitat quality.

Eutrophication eventually creates a detritus layer in the ponds & lakes and produces successively
shallower depth of surface water.

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 Decreased biodiversity: Algal blooms restrict the sunlight to penetrate & effects the
photosynthesizing plants.
 New species invasion: Eutrophication may Cause the Ecosystem Competitive by Transforming
the Normal Limiting Nutrient to abundant Level
 Toxicity: The Algal Blooms when Die or Eaten, Release Neuro & Hepatotoxins which can kill
Aquatic Organisms & Pose threat to Humans. Depletion of Dissolved Oxygen Level and the
Coral Reefs So the Affects Navigation due to increased turbidity.

Mitigation measures for eutrophication:

The Interfaces Between a Flowing Body of Water and Land Created Near the Waterways, farms,
Roads, Etc. Sediments and Nutrients Are Deposited in the Buffer Zones instead of Deposition in
Water. The Successful Method of Minimizing the non-Point Pollution. They are Nitrogen Testing
& Modelling.

Harmful Algae Blooms:

Algae are Microscopic Organisms that can be Found Naturally in Coastal Waters. They Are Major
Producers of Oxygen and Food for Many of the Animals. A bloom Often Results in a Color Change
in the Water. Algal Bloom can be any Colour, but the Most Common Ones Are Red and Brown.

Wetland Ecosystem
The Area of Marsh, Fen, Peatland, Whether Natural Artificial Permanent Temporary with Water
that is Static Flowing, Fresh, Brackish Salt, Including areas of Marine Water the Depth.

Functions of Wetlands:
 Habitat to Aquatic A Flora and Fauna as Well as Numerous Species of Birds, including
Migratory Species.
 Nutrients Recycling
 Water Purification
 Floods Mitigation
 Maintenance of Stream Flow
 Ground Water Recharging
 Provide Drinking Water.

Characteristics of Wetlands:
 Covered by Waterlogged soil for At least Seven Days During the Growing Season.
 Adopt Plant Life.
 Hydrilic Soils.
 Stabilization of Local Climate.
 Source of Live Hood for Local People.

Reasons for Wetlands Depletion:

 Conversion for Lands for Agriculture.
 Overgrazing
 Removal of Sands from beds.
 Aqua Culture.
 Pollution

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 Domestic Waste.
 Climate Change.
Mitigation Measures for saving vanishing wetlands:
 Survey and Demarcation.
 Artificial Regeneration.
 Protective Measures.
 Weed Control
 Wildlife Conversation
 Environmental Awareness

Estuary Ecosystem: They are Located where the River meets the Sea. They are the Water Bodies
where the Flow of the Fresh Water from River Mixes with the Salt Water Transported, by tide,
from the Oceans.

Characteristics of Estuarine ecosystem:

 An Estuary is a Semi Enclosed with a Coastal Body of Water with one or More Rivers or Streams
Flowing into it.
 It has Free Connection with a n Open Sea
 The Complete Salinity Range from 0-35 PPT is seen from the Head to the Mouth of an Estuary.
 Estuaries are typically Classifies by their Geomorphological Features or by Water Circulation
Patterns and Can Be Referred by Many Different Names Such as Bays, Harbors, Lagoons,
inlets, Etc.
 Estuaries are Usually Biologically Highly Productive Zones.