ecosystem

it is a self-contained area composed of living organisms that interact with each other and with the physical conditions prevailing in the area.

forest

a large area of land with a dense growth of trees, shrubs, and grasses.

autotrophs [ trophic level 1]

living organisms that can produce their own food.

primary consumers [ trophic level 2]

organisms that depend on autotrophs for food.

secondary consumers [ trophic level 3]

organisms that eat herbivores.

tertiary consumers [ trophic level 4]

organisms that feed on secondary consumers. they are also called apex predators.

scavengers

organisms that eat the flesh of dead animals.

abiotic components in an ecosystem

air, sunlight, water, temperature, soil

heterotrophs

differently nourished.

detritivores

organisms that feed on the remains [detritus] left by scavengers. ex: earthworms, millipedes, slugs, etc

decomposers

organisms that break down the dead organic matter into inorganic compounds used by the plants.

uses of air in an ecosystem

1. it acts as a medium for flight for flying organisms. 2. it acts as an agent of dispersal of seeds. 3. oxygen is used by organisms to respire, while the carbon dioxide is used by plants in photosynthesis.

uses of water in an ecosystem

it is used by plants as soil water and is consumed by animals drinking from puddles or rivers.

uses of temperature in an ecosystem

it influences the body functions of the plants and animals in the region.

uses of soil in an ecosystem

1. soil contains nutrients required for the growth of plants. 2. it acts like a habitat for burrowing animals like rats or snakes.

food chain

it is the linear sequence of organisms in which each organism eats the lower member and is itself eten by the higher member.

food web

it is a network of several interconnecting food chains.

advantages of food webs

it allows alternate foods. it ensures a better chance of survival for an organism if any one of its food sources grows scarce.

pyramid of numbers

Pyramidal representation of organisms in a food chain based on the number of individuals consumed at each level.

pyramid of biomass

pyramidal representation of organisms in a food chain based on the total mass of the organisms consumed at each level.

interdependence between organisms

Relationships formed due to the interaction of 2 or more organisms, which could be beneficial, harmful, or neutral.

symbiosis

It is a relationship between two organisms in which both organisms benefit.

example of symbiosis

1. The relationship between plants and animals in which animals help plants by pollinating their flowers and dispersing their seeds, and in turn are rewarded with nutritious fruits. 2. Lichen is an example of symbiosis, where a fungus and photosynthetic algae are interdependent.

parasitism

It is an interaction between 2 organisms in which one organism [parasite] is at an advantage while the other [host] is at a loss. The parasite harms the host and can cause a reduction in the growth and reproduction of the host.

example of parasitism

1. the malarial parasite plasmodium needs an intermediate host [mosquito] to pass it on to other hosts. 2. human liver fluke [nematode parasite] requires 2 intermediate hosts [snail & fish] to complete its life cycle.

malarial parasite

plasmodium

vector

other name for intermediate host

nematode parasite

human liver fluke

predation

When an organism catches and kills another organism for food. It is nature's way of directly transferring energy. Both carnivores and herbivores fall under this category.

flora

the plants naturally occurring in an area

fauna

the animals naturally living in an area

types of forests in india

Tropical rainforests on the west coast of India and the northeast of the Himalayas, temperate deciduous forests on the east coast of India, and coniferous forests found in the Himalayas at an altitude of 1700 to 3000 metres.

flora of tropical rainforests

bamboo, evergreen trees, ferns, shrubs

fauna of tropical rainforests

flying squirrels, snakes, centipedes, jungle cats, snails, millipedes, leopards, monkeys

flora of temperate deciduous forests

teak, sandalwood, sal

fauna of temperate deciduous forests

wolves, beetles, moths, deer, foxes

flora of coniferous forests

fir and pine

fauna of coniferous forests

squirrels, robins, deer, goats, wolves, sparrows.

flora of the gir forests of gujurat

peepal, acacia, neem, wild bushes, and grasses.

fauna of the gir forests of gujurat

bears, dogs, cats, kites, vultures, rats, rabbits, and most importantly, lions.

flora of jim corbett national park in uttarakhand

pine trees, shrubs, and grasses

fauna of jim corbett national park in uttarakhand

majorly lions

flora of jaladpura sanctuary in west bengal

banyan trees

fauna of jaladpura sanctuary in west bengal

rhinoceros

what are the biggest threats to ecosystems?

industrialization and exploitation of natural resources is causing ecological degradation.

how do we conserve our ecosystem

by protecting natural resources like wildfire, rivers, and forests, we are closer to protecting and restoring the ecosystem.