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Introduction
DefinitionEnvironment can be defined as the natural surroundings of that organism which directly or indirectly influences the growth and development of the organism.
Ecology the study of the inter-relationships between the organism and its environment
Ecosystem is a branch of study of the inter relationships of the organism with its environment.
Components of Environment
The following classification of the environment is given by British literature Here the components are classified in terms of biotic and abiotic based upon life. T he biotic components are further listed as producers, consumers and decomposers and the abiotic components are classified as climatic(water, air)and edaphic(land). It is from this component system that the study of structure of ecosystem was evolved.
Structure of Environment
Environment
Biotic
Abiotic
producers
Consumers
decomposers
Climatic
edaphic
Biotic Environment
The word comes from Bio meaning life It includes all the living things that we see around us like plants, animals, fungi, microorganisms
Abiotic Environment
It includes all the physical components of the environment These are the components necessary for the biotic environment for their survival This environment includes air, water, soil, temperature, wind, source of energy (usually sun)
Oxygen (O) is a chemical element. In nature, oxygen is a gas with no color or smell. Oxygen is a very important element because it is a part of the air people breathe and the water people drink. Because of this, oxygen supports life. All living things (including humans) need oxygen to live.
Sunlight, in the broad sense, is the total frequency spectrum of electromagnetic radiation given off by the Sun, particularly infrared, visible, and ultraviolet light. On Earth, sunlight is filtered through the Earth's atmosphere, and solar radiation is obvious as daylight when the Sun is above the horizon.
When the direct solar radiation is not blocked by clouds, it is experienced as sunshine, a combination of bright light and radiant heat. When it is blocked by the clouds or reflects off of other objects, it is experienced as diffused light.
Wind is air that moves over the earth's surface. Wind is moving air. Wind can move so softly that it can hardly be felt. Or it may blow so hard and fast that it smashes over trees and buildings. Wind is often defined as the horizontal movement of air relative to the earth's surface. All winds, from gentle breezes to raging hurricanes, are caused by differences in the temperature of the atmosphere, by rotation of the Earth, and by unequal heating of the continents and the oceans. The sun heats the earth's surfaces unevenly. Air above hot areas expands and rises. Air from cooler areas then flows in to replace the heated air. This process is called circulation.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is emitted in a number of ways. It is emitted naturally through the carbon cycle and through human activities like the burning of fossil fuels.
Natural sources of CO2 occur within the carbon cycle where billions of tons of atmospheric CO2 are removed from the atmosphere by oceans and growing plants, also known as sinks, and are emitted back into the atmosphere annually through natural processes also known as sources. When in balance, the total carbon dioxide emissions and removals from the entire carbon cycle are roughly equal
Biotic Factors
The living components of an ecosystem are known as the biotic factors - living biological factors that influence the other organisms or environment of an ecosystem. Biotic factors interact as : Producers, consumers, detrivores, decomposers, parasite, host, predator, competitor, herbivore, symbiant and pathogen.
Biotic Factors
Biotic Components
A producer is an organism that makes its own food from light energy or chemical energy. Most green plants that are one-celled organisms like slime molds and bacteria are producers. Producers are the base of the food chain.
A consumer is a living thing that eats other living things to stay alive. It cannot make its own food like a producer but relies on producers for their source of food. Consumers divide into : Primary consumers herbivores that feed on plants directly. Secondary consumers carnivores that feed on primary consumers directly. Tertiary consumers carnivores or omnivores that feed on secondary consumer.
Decomposers
Without Decomposers the Tropical Rain Forest would be piled high with branches, rotting trees decaying fruits. All of the decomposers team up and work together to decompose plant matter Although by far the smallest biotics, the microscopic organisms are some of the most important. Plankton, viruses and bacteria are all vital microscopic biotic organism. Bacteria can either be helpful, breaking down dead organisms into nutritious matter and helping larger organisms digest food, or harmful, spreading infections. Plankton is a vital resource in ocean ecosystem, and viruses have a tremendous impact on the health of environments, although negative.
TROPHIC LEVELS ARE THE POSITION THAT AN ORGANISM (OR GROUP OF ORGANISMS) OCCUPIES IN THE FOOD CHAIN
PRODUCERS
PHOTOSYNTHESIS COMPLEX CHEMICAL REACTION IN WHICH PRODUCER USE CHLOROPHYLL TO CONVERT CARBON DIOXIDE INTO GLUCOSE AND OXYGEN
CONSUMERS
C6H12O6+ O2 = 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + ENERGY - RESPIRATION THE CHEMICAL REACTION IN WHICH OXYGEN AND GLUCOSE PROVIDE ENERGY FOR AN ORGANISM
ENERGY TRANSFERS
HEAT LOSS TO ENVIRONMENT CONVERTED TO LIGHT LOST BETWEEN TROPHIC LEVELS RE-RADIATED TO ATMOSPHERE
THE TOTAL GAIN IN ENERGY OR BIOMASS PER UNIT TIME WHICH COULD BE THROUGH PHOTOSYNTHESIS (GPP) OR ABSORBSION IN THE CONSUMER (GP)
MEASURING PRODUCTIVITY
GPP THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF ENERGY GAINED THROUGH PHOTOSYNTHESIS GP THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF ENERGY GAINED IN PLANT CONSUMERS
THE AMOUNT OF ENERGY THAT IS AVAILABLE AFTER THE ENERGY LOSS FROM RESPIRATION
IT IS THE NET PRODUCTIVY WHICH REPRESENTS THAT AMOUNT OF ENERY AVAILABLE FOR THE NEXT HIGHER TROPHIC LEVEL
GENERALLY, ONLY 10% OF THE ENERGY MAKES IT FROM THE LOWER LEVEL TO THE NEXT HIGHER LEVEL
Interaction
INTERACTION
Organisms and their environment always interact Humans have changed environment on a larger scale than any other species
Oxygen Cycle
Nitrogen Cycle