Ecosystem

Chapter Nine
 Ecosystem
It is the interaction between Living things (biotic
components) & Non-living things (abiotic components)
in an area
 Population
A group of organisms of one species living in a defined
area at the same time and can be interbreeding
Community
A collection of same species Living in the same habitat
 Habitat
The place where an organism normally lives
Niche
It is the position and rule of a species in is environment
Example :
Workers & Queen in Bees Kingdom
 Species
A group of organism sharing common characters that
interbreed and produce fertile individuals
* Not necessary to live in one place
 Food chain
A diagram showing the relationship between a single
producer and primary, secondary and tertiary consumers
 Food web
A diagram showing the relationship
between all (or most) of the producers,
primary, secondary and tertiary consumers
in an ecosystem
 Trophic level
A feeding level within a food
chain or food web
 Pyramid of numbers
A diagram that represents the number
of organisms at each trophic level in
an ecosystem by a horizontal bar
whose length is proportional to the
numbers at that level
 THE BIOTIC FACTORS OF AN ECOSYSTEM
2-Primary 3-Secondary 4-Tertiary
1-Producers 5-Decomposers
consumers consumers consumers
Organisms within Organisms within Organisms within Organisms within Organisms within an
an ecosystem that an ecosystem that an ecosystem that an ecosystem that ecosystem that
can make derive their food derive their food derive their food derive their food
photosynthesis from producers. from primary from secondary from the bodies of
consumers consumers. dead organisms.

Food chains cannot have more than 4 or 5 trophic levels as

there’s not enough energy to pass on
The Abiotic factors of an ecosystem
• Temperature
• Humidity
• Water
• Oxygen
• Salinity
• Light
• pH
Examples of the interaction between biotic and Abiotic factors

• Photosynthesis
Carbon dioxide + Water Sun Glucose + Oxygen
Chlorophyll

• Respiration
Glucose + Oxygen  Carbon dioxide + Water + Energy + Heat
• It is the process by which living things release energy from
food to carry out the process of life, such as movement
 Biotic interactions
Competition Predation Pollination
* There is competition between * When one animal eats * The transfer of pollen
individuals to another to get food. grains (male gametes)
get resources from the from the anther to the
environment. stigma for it to fuse with
* Individuals least adapted to the ovule (female
the current conditions will gamete).
either die or fail to reproduce.
 Ecosystems under threat
Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or
is present either at or near the surface of the soil
all year or for varying periods of time during the
year, including during the growing season.

• Importance of wetlands:

Shoreline protection Flood control Biological productivity

Maintenance of water quality Recharging of aquifers Provide habitats
What are the most important threats of the ecosystem?

1. Loss of habitat
2. Deforestation
 1- Loss of habitat
Causes
The drainage of wetlands Intensive agricultural practices Deforestation
▪ Drainage for agriculture, forestry and Wetlands are drained and Clearance of climax communities
mosquito control. other land is occupied to that would otherwise provide
▪ Dredging for flood protection. provide for intensive habitat for a wide range of tree
▪ Use for disposal of waste created by agricultural practices, resulting and ground dwelling species.
road construction in habitat loss. ▪ Climax community:
▪ Discharge of pollutants ▪ Overcultivation of soil leads An ecological community in which
▪ Peat removal to soil erosion, causing habitat populations of plants or animals
▪ Removal of groundwater. loss for decomposers living in remain stable and exist in balance with
each other and their environment.
the soil.
* Impacts of habitat loss
• Extinction
• Loss of biodiversity
• Genetic depletion
 1- Deforestation
Causes
Timber is needed in MEDCs Lumber (planks Clear land for: Rock and
for products ranging from and boards) - Farming mineral
luxury furniture to paper, or - Roads and extraction
as a source of energy settlements
* Impacts of deforestation
• Habitat loss
• Soil erosion and desertification
• Climate change
* Importance of forests
• Carbon sinks
• Carbon store
• Role in water cycle
• Ecotourism
* Measuring biodiversity
• Types of sampling
Random sampling Systematic sampling
A sampling method in which the sampling
A sampling method in which the sampling device is placed along a line or a pre
device is placed using random tables or the roll determined pattern, usually
of dice. a transect.
* Used to check how the species change
* Used when two areas are to be compared along a gradient in the environment e.g.
e.g. Number of insects in wet & dry areas from the shade of a woodland to an open
field
* Measuring biodiversity
• Types of sampling tools (For plants)
Quadrat Transect
A sampling method in which sampling
A frame of known area placed on a part of the devices are laid out along a line already
site to be sampled. placed across an area
• Types of sampling tools (For Insects)
Pitfall traps Pooter
Consists of a jar sunk up in the soil. * Insects in short vegetation or on trees are
* The jar may or may not be covered (depending on usually trapped in a net.
the predicted likelihood of rainfall). * A pooter is used to transport the organisms,
* Traps should be inspected and emptied regularly. from the nets or traps to a laboratory.
* Can be used randomly or systematically
Drawback:
Measures the activity and number of the species.
* Comparison between Different Sampling Methods:
METHOD ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

• Quick. • Not always very accurate.

QUADRATS • Inexpensive. • Unless many quadrats are placed, the sample
• Portable. can be unintentionally biased

• Quick.
• Often used in inappropriate
TRANSECT • Inexpensive.
situations.
• Portable.

• Inexpensive.
PITFALL TRAPS • Often kill the organisms captured
• Easy to set up
• May oversample or under sample.
and use.
* Managing and conservation of biodiversity:
National International
1. Sustainable harvesting of wild plant
and animal species 1. World biosphere reserves

2. Sustainable forestry 2. Seed banks

3. National parks
3. Role of zoos and captive breeding
4. Wildlife and ecological reserves
5. Extractive reserves 4. Sustainable tourism and ecotourism
 National
1. Sustainable harvesting of wild plant and animal species
* Many plants have medicinal properties due to their Secondary metabolites.
* Wild plants are preferred source because cultivated plants produce small
or none of the chemicals to be used.

Management plan to control harvesting of wild medicinal plants

1- Assessing the abundance of the plant.
2- Assess the yield that can be sustained by the wild population.
3- Investigate species’ growth rate, reproductive biology and impact of harvesting.
4- Details of how the harvesting should be monitored.
 2. Sustainable forestry

Selective logging Agroforestry

* Removal of only mature trees of * It is land management system in which crops are
species that are valuable.
* Other species and immature trees of grown around trees.
value species are left, allowing the Alley cropping
forest to repair overtime. Planting rows of trees at wide spacing with a
- Non-valued trees still provide habitat
for many species and immature valued companion crop grown in the alleyways
trees can be used years later. between the rows
3 - National parks:
An area of land protected by the government to preserve entire ecosystems
e.g. flora, fauna and landscape.

** Rules and regulations to conserve national park:

* Laws that ban/limit activities such as hunting, logging and collection
of wildflowers are implemented.
* Enforcement requires regular inspection and threat of hefty fines or
imprisonment for breaking the law.
* Extensive facilities for tourists are provided, that includes a system of roadways, car parks and
natural trails.
* An entry fee charged is used for conservation work.
• A guidebook/leaflet is provided that includes information on the dos and don’ts, and the
importance of the conservation of wild nature.
4- Wildlife and ecological reserves :
These designated area are usually on small scale than national parks and provide
protection for special habitats such as: Wetlands areas that support endangered species
of plants and animals
5- Extractive reserves:
An area of land, generally state-owned where access and use rights, including natural
resource extraction, are allocated to local groups or communities.
Forest products other than Timber can be harvested sustainably under license
agreement, so extractive reserves can reserve rainforest and reduce defrostration
 International
1. World biosphere reserves
It is an ecosystem with plants and animals of unusual scientific and natural interest
* The plan is to promote management, research and education in ecosystem
conservation
** Advantages:
- Recognized internationally via UNESCO.
- Attracts funding and support of experts in the
conservation community, improving the success
of the reserve.
Biosphere reserves has three zones aim to maintain the conservation of the whole area
1- CORE AREA 2- BUFFER ZONE 3- TRANSITION ZONE
More research, along Local communities and
Ecosystems that need with tourism and conservation organizations
protection education work together to manage the
Monitoring and some May contain field stations area for the benefit of the
research. with laboratories and people living there
recreational facilities.
 2. Seed banks
Stores seeds to preserve genetic diversity when it’s not possible to protect the area
where the endangered plant lives
• Wild plants carry genes that could be
used in crop plants to increase resistance to
pests and diseases.
• Seeds occupy lesser space than plants, thus
more species can be held.
• Collecting small samples of seeds is unlikely to
damage the wild population as most plants
produce large number of seeds.
• Seeds need minimal care, thus easier to store
than living plants
 3. Role of zoos and captive breeding
* Provide education about the illegal trade in animals and
products, and the need to maintain biodiversity.
* Involved in scientific research on the control of diseases,
animal behavior and techniques to improve breeding success.
* Captive-breeding programs increase species numbers,
thus reducing the risk of extinction.
* Aim to release captive-bred animals into the wild when
habitats have been restored.
* Such programs try maintaining genetic biodiversity of
a species, as interbreeding leads to a reduction in diversity and therefore reduces
adaptability when the species is placed back in the wild
4. Sustainable tourism and ecotourism
* Management of tourism in a sustainable way to prevent
damage to habitat and provide what people want.
* Key to successful sustainable ecotourism is realizing that
the growth of the tourist industry depends on maintaining the environment.
* Measures are taken to safeguard wildlife and the resources are used
sustainably