Unit-3 Short Summary

Ecosystems and Biodiversity

Understanding ecosystems and biodiversity is crucial for environmental science and
conservation efforts. Ecosystems form the foundation of life on Earth, and biodiversity reflects
the richness and variety of life within those ecosystems. Let’s explore the concept of
ecosystems, their structure and functioning, the flow of energy within them, and the importance
of biodiversity.

1. Concept of an Ecosystem
An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (plants, animals, and microbes) interacting
with each other and their non-living (abiotic) environment (air, water, soil). Ecosystems can vary
greatly in size, from a small pond to a vast forest or ocean.

Structure of an Ecosystem
Ecosystems consist of two main components:

Biotic components: The living organisms in an ecosystem, which can be classified into
three main groups:
Producers (Autotrophs): These are mainly green plants and algae that produce
their own food through photosynthesis.
Consumers (Heterotrophs): These are organisms that depend on other organisms
for food. Consumers include:
Primary consumers: Herbivores that eat plants (e.g., deer, insects).
Secondary consumers: Carnivores that eat herbivores (e.g., foxes, small
birds).
Tertiary consumers: Top carnivores that eat other carnivores (e.g., tigers,
eagles).
Decomposers: Organisms like bacteria and fungi that break down dead organic
matter, returning nutrients to the soil.
Abiotic components: Non-living elements such as sunlight, temperature, water, soil, and
nutrients. These factors influence the living organisms and their interactions.
Function of an Ecosystem
The main functions of an ecosystem are:

Energy flow: The transfer of energy from one trophic level to another.
Nutrient cycling: The recycling of nutrients (e.g., carbon, nitrogen) between the living and
non-living parts of the ecosystem.
Regulation of populations: The interactions between predators and prey, competition,
and symbiotic relationships help maintain the balance of populations.

2. Energy Flow in an Ecosystem

Energy in an ecosystem flows in one direction, from the sun to producers and then to
consumers. This flow of energy is governed by the laws of thermodynamics. It typically
occurs through food chains and food webs.

Food Chain: A linear sequence of organisms where each organism is eaten by the next in
the chain. For example:
Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake → Eagle
Food Web: A more complex network of interconnected food chains that shows how energy
moves through an ecosystem.

Energy is lost as heat at each trophic level due to metabolic processes. As a result, less energy
is available to organisms higher up in the food chain, a concept known as energy loss or
trophic inefficiency (around 90% energy is lost at each level, and only about 10% is passed
on).

3. Ecological Succession
Ecological succession is the process of gradual change in the structure and composition of
an ecosystem over time. It occurs in stages and can lead to the development of a stable
ecosystem known as a climax community.

There are two main types of succession:

Primary Succession: Occurs in an area where no life previously existed, such as newly
formed volcanic islands or areas left bare by retreating glaciers. Pioneer species like
lichens and mosses are the first to colonize such areas.
Secondary Succession: Occurs in areas that were previously occupied by living
organisms but have been disturbed or damaged (e.g., after a forest fire, flood, or human
 activity like farming). The soil is already present, making the process faster than primary
succession.

4. Ecological Pyramids
Ecological pyramids represent the distribution of energy, biomass, or numbers of organisms at
different trophic levels in an ecosystem.

Pyramid of Energy: Shows the energy content at each trophic level. It always has a
broad base (producers) and narrows toward the top (tertiary consumers) because energy
is lost at each level.
Pyramid of Biomass: Represents the total biomass (the total mass of living organisms) at
each trophic level. In most ecosystems, producers have the greatest biomass.
Pyramid of Numbers: Illustrates the number of individual organisms at each trophic level.
In some ecosystems, the pyramid can be inverted (e.g., one tree supports many
herbivores).

5. Concept of Biodiversity
Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms on Earth, including the diversity of species,
ecosystems, and genetic variations within species. Biodiversity is vital for ecosystem stability,
productivity, and resilience.

Definition and Types of Biodiversity

Biodiversity can be classified into three types:

Genetic diversity: Variation in genes within a species. It allows species to adapt to

changing environments and is crucial for evolution.
Species diversity: The variety of species within a habitat or a region. This includes the
number of species (species richness) and the abundance of individuals (species
evenness).
Ecosystem diversity: The variety of ecosystems in a region or globally. Different
ecosystems like forests, wetlands, deserts, and coral reefs support different forms of life.

6. Hotspots of Biodiversity
Biodiversity hotspots are regions with exceptionally high levels of species richness and
endemism (species found nowhere else) but are also under significant threat from human
activities. The criteria for a biodiversity hotspot include:

At least 1,500 species of endemic plants.

Having lost at least 70% of its original habitat.

Some of the world’s major biodiversity hotspots include:

The Western Ghats and Sri Lanka

The Himalayas
The Indo-Burma region
Sundaland (Malaysia and Indonesia)

7. Threats to Biodiversity
Biodiversity is under severe threat due to a variety of human activities:

Habitat loss and fragmentation: The destruction of forests, wetlands, and other
ecosystems for agriculture, urbanization, and infrastructure development leads to a loss of
biodiversity.
Pollution: Air, water, and soil pollution (from industrial activities, pesticides, and
chemicals) harm wildlife and degrade ecosystems.
Climate change: Global warming is altering habitats and threatening species unable to
adapt to rising temperatures and changing weather patterns.
Over-exploitation: Overfishing, hunting, poaching, and harvesting of plant species for
human use deplete populations and can drive species to extinction.
Invasive species: Non-native species introduced to new habitats can outcompete, prey
on, or bring diseases to native species, leading to biodiversity loss.

8. Endangered and Endemic Species of India

India is home to a wide variety of species, many of which are classified as endangered or
endemic.

Endangered species: These are species at high risk of extinction in the near future.
Some examples in India include:
Bengal Tiger
Asiatic Lion
 Indian Rhino
Ganges River Dolphin
Great Indian Bustard
Endemic species: These are species found only in a particular geographic area. India has
many endemic species, especially in regions like the Western Ghats, the Himalayas, and
the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Examples include:
Nilgiri Tahr (Western Ghats)
Lion-tailed Macaque (Western Ghats)
Andaman wild pig (Andaman Islands)
Kashmir Stag (Himalayas)

9. Conservation of Biodiversity
Conservation of biodiversity is essential to maintain ecological balance and ensure the survival
of human and non-human species. There are two main approaches to biodiversity
conservation:

In-situ Conservation
This involves protecting species in their natural habitats and ecosystems. Key in-situ
conservation methods include:

Protected areas: National parks, wildlife sanctuaries, biosphere reserves, and marine
protected areas that safeguard biodiversity.
Biodiversity hotspots: Areas with rich biodiversity are given special attention to preserve
their unique species.
Community reserves: Local communities play a role in managing and protecting forests
and wildlife.

Ex-situ Conservation

This involves conserving species outside their natural habitats. Methods include:

Zoos and botanical gardens: These institutions help preserve and breed endangered
species in captivity.
Seed banks: Facilities that store seeds of different plant species to preserve their genetic
material for future use.
 Cryopreservation: Freezing genetic materials (seeds, embryos) for future restoration
efforts.

Conclusion
Ecosystems and biodiversity are interlinked and vital for sustaining life on Earth.
Understanding their structure, function, and the threats they face helps in formulating strategies
for conservation and sustainable development. By protecting ecosystems and biodiversity, we
ensure the health and resilience of our planet for future generations.