Chapter-13
Our Environment
Ecosystems and Their Components
Ecosystem is the basic unit of ecology and the biotic and abiotic
components present in it influence each other.
Both the components are essential for the sustenance of life.
Ecosystem term was given by Arthur Tansley Ecosystem is a self-
sustained unit of living things (plants, animals and decomposers)
and their nonliving environment (soil, air and water).
Biotic components : The biotic components include all kinds of
living organisms with which the organism interacts (all animals,
plants, microorganisms).
Abiotic components : The abiotic components are the physical
factors such as climatic factors (e.g., Air, Water, Temperature,
Humidity, Light, Wind, Precipitation etc.).
Biotic (living) components
The biotic community of an ecosystem includes 3 types of
organisms
Producers : Those organisms which can prepare their own food
from simple inorganic substances like carbon dioxide and water by
using sunlight in the presence of chlorophyll. e.g., Green plants and
certain blue green algae.
Consumers : Those organisms which consume food or eat food
prepared by producers are called consumers. The consumers
depend on producers for food, directly or indirectly. All the animals
are consumers.
Consumers can be further divided into three groups
Herbivores - Those animals which eat only plants are called
herbivores. e.g., Buffalo, goat, sheep, horse, deer, camel,
grasshopper, etc. Since herbivores obtain their food directly from
plants or producers therefore herbivores are primary consumers.
Carnivores - Those animals which eat only other animals as food
are called carnivores or those animals which eat the meat or flesh of
other animals are called carnivores. e.g., Lion, tiger, frog, vulture,
kingfisher, etc.
Omnivores - Those animals which eat both plants and animals, are
called omnivores or those animals which eat plant food as well as
the meat or flesh of other animals. e.g., Man, dog, crow, sparrow,
bear and ant, etc.
Decomposers - The micro-organisms which break down the
complex organic compounds present in dead organisms like dead
plants and animals and their products like feces, urine into simpler
substances are called decomposers. e.g., Bacteria and fungi.
Food Chains and Food Webs
It is a series of organisms, each feeding on the one below it. It is
structured into different levels called trophic levels.
At the base are the autotrophs or producers that convert solar
energy into chemical energy, which supports life on Earth.
Herbivores form the second trophic level, small carnivores at the
third, and larger carnivores at the fourth level.
As energy flows through these trophic levels, some energy is lost as
heat or through processes like digestion and reproduction.
On average, only about 10% of energy from one level is passed on
to the next, explaining why food chains rarely extend beyond three
or four levels.
The complexity of food chains varies, and multiple organisms
interact in a food web, creating a more intricate flow of energy than
a simple linear chain.
Energy Flow and its Unidirectional Nature
The energy flow through an ecosystem is unidirectional, meaning it
moves from producers to consumers and decomposers, never
returning to the previous level.
Once autotrophs capture energy from sunlight, it is progressively
passed on but diminishes at each trophic level.
As a result, energy becomes less available as it moves up the food
chain.
In addition to energy loss, harmful chemicals can also travel up the
food chain in a process known as biological magnification.
Chemicals used in agriculture, such as pesticides, can be absorbed
by plants and eventually consumed by animals and humans.
Since these chemicals are non-biodegradable, they accumulate in
increasing concentrations at each trophic level, posing serious
health risks to those at the top, including humans.
Ten Percent law
It was put forth by Lindeman (1942). It is also termed as the second
law of thermodynamics or law of entropy.
According to this law, transfer of energy from one trophic level to
another trophic level is never 100 percent.
It is so because most of the energy gets lost as heat in the
environment during each transfer. On an average, about 10% of
energy is actually available to the next trophic level.
Human Impact on the Environment
Humans are an integral part of the environment, and our activities
significantly impact it.
Environmental degradation due to pollution, deforestation, and
industrial waste has been well-documented.
Ozone Layer Depletion
This is a protective shield in the upper atmosphere, and is critical in
blocking the Sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
UV radiation can cause severe health issues, including skin cancer.
The ozone layer is formed when UV radiation reacts with oxygen
molecules (O2), breaking them apart into individual oxygen atoms.
These atoms combine with other oxygen molecules to form ozone
(O3).
However, human-made chemicals, especially chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs), have caused significant depletion of the ozone layer.
CFCs, used in refrigeration and fire extinguishers, release chlorine
atoms when they reach the upper atmosphere. They react with
ozone and break it down.
Recognising the threat posed by CFCs, the international community
agreed to limit their production under the Montreal Protocol in 1987.
Since then, efforts have been made to phase out CFCs and
manufacture CFC-free products to protect the ozone layer.
Waste Disposal and Its Challenges
Waste disposal is another major environmental challenge. We
produce vast amounts of waste daily, including non-biodegradable
materials like plastics.
While bacteria and fungi break down biodegradable materials into
simpler substances that nature can reuse, non-biodegradable
materials persist in the environment for a long time, often harming
ecosystems.
For instance, plastic waste accumulates in landfills and water
bodies, posing risks to wildlife.
Animals may ingest plastics, mistaking them for food, which can
lead to injury or death.
Moreover, non-biodegradable materials can release toxic substances
over time, polluting soil and water sources.
