Download Environment Module 1_Ecological concepts

Ecological Concepts-1
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Outline
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Ecology
Environment
Levels of organisation in Ecology
Ecosystem
Classification of Ecosystem
Components of Ecosystem
Mineral nutrients in Plants
Mineral nutrients in Animals
Functions of mineral nutrients
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Outline
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Biogeochemical Cycle
Hydrological Cycle
Carbon Cycle
Oxygen Cycle
Nitrogen Cycle
Phosphorous Cycle
Sulphur Cycle
Questions
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Ecology
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Scientific study of relationship of living
organisms with each other and with their
environment.
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Ecology from two Greek words= ‘Oikos’ (place
to live in) + “Logos” (study)
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Study of interaction between Biotic and Abiotic
component of Ecosystem
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Study of structure and functioning of Ecosystem
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Environment
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Sum total of living, non-living components; influences and events,
surrounding an organism.
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Environment is not static. Both biotic and abiotic factors are in flux and
keep changing continuously.
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Levels of Organisation in Ecology
Biosphere
Biome
Ecosystem
Community
Population
Individual
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Ecosystem
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A structural and functional unit of biosphere consisting of community of
living beings and physical environment, both interacting materials
between them.
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Ecosystem vary in size and elements but each is functioning unit of
nature.
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When an ecosystem is sustainable, it means all elements live in balance
and are capable of reproducing themselves.
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Classification of Ecosystem
Ecosystem
Terrestrial
Forests
Mountains
Aquatic
Plains
Deserts
Fresh
Waters
Marine
Waters
Hot
River
Open sea
Cold
Pond
Enclosed
sea
Marsh land
Coral reef
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Agriculture
land
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Components of Ecosystem
Components of Ecosystem
Biotic
Autotrophs
(Primary
Producers)
Heterotrophs/
Phagotrophs
Phototrophs
Herbivores
Chemotrophs
Carnivores
Omnivores
Abiotic
Saprotrophs/
Osmotrophs
Detritivores
Physical
Components
Organic
Minerals
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Components of Ecosystem
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Autotrophs- Primary producers- green plants, bacteria, algae.
• In terrestrial ecosystem, producers are herbaceous and woody plants,
• while in aquatic ecosystem producers are various species of microscopic algae.
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Phototrophs- synthesise carbohydrate from simple inorganic material in presence of sun light by
process of photosynthesis; i.e. chlorophyll containing green plants, green purple bacteria, blue
green algae, phytoplanktons.
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Chemotrophs- Chemosynthesis- Oxidation of inorganic compound like CO2, H2S, Ammonia
i.e. Bacteria living in hostile environment like deep sea, caves.
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Components of Ecosystem
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Heterotrophs/ Phagotrophs- Consumers- depend on organic food derived from plants/ animals or both.
• Herbivores are primary consumers which feed mainly on plants;
• Carnivores are secondary consumers which feed on primary consumers;
• Omnivores are which consumes both plants and animals.
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Saprotrophs/ Osmotrophs- Decomposers• Mainly bacteria or fungi which obtain energy and nutrients by decomposing dead organic substance of
plants and animals.
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Detritivores- Decomposers- Earth worm and soil organisms (nematodes and arthropods) are detritus
feeder and help in decomposition of organic matter.
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Mineral Nutrients in Plants
Micro nutrients
Macro nutrients
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C-Carbon, H-Hydrogen, OOxygen
N-Nitrogen, P-Phosphorous, KPotassium
Secondary elements: Ca-Calcium,
S-Sulphur, Mg-Magnesium
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Fe-Iron
2.
Mn-Manganese
3.
Zn-Zinc
4.
Cu-Copper
5.
B-Boron
6.
Mo-Molybdenum
7.
Cl-Chlorine
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Mineral Nutrients in Animals
Macro nutrients
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Organically bound:
• C-Carbon,
• H-Hydrogen,
• O-Oxygen,
• N-Nitrogen
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Inorganic principal cations:
• Ca-Calcium,
• Mg-Magnesium,
• Na-Sodium,
• K-Potassium
3.
Inorganic principal anions:
• P-Phosphorous,
• S-Sulphur,
• Cl-Chlorine
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5.
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10.
11.
12.
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Micro nutrients
Fe-Iron
Mn-Manganese
Zn-Zinc
Cu-Copper
I-Iodine
Co-Cobalt
Ni-Nickel
Fl-Fluorine
Cr-Chromium
Sn-Tin
Mo-Molybdenum
Si-Silicon
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Functions of Mineral Nutrients in Plants
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Nitrogen- is one of major constituents of proteins, nucleic acids, vitamins, hormones.
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Phosphorus1. constituent of cell membranes, certain proteins, all nucleic acids and nucleotides and
2. required for all phosphorylation reactions.
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Potassium1. maintain an anion-cation balance in cells
2. involved in protein synthesis,
3. opening and closing of stomata,
4. activation of enzymes
5. maintenance of turgidity of cells
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Calcium1. Synthesis of cell wall, formation of mitotic spindle, normal functioning of cell membranes.
2. activates certain enzymes
3. regulate metabolic activities.
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Functions of Mineral Nutrients in Plants
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1.
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Magnesiumactivates enzymes of respiration, photosynthesis
involved in synthesis of DNA and RNA.
It is constituent of ring structure of chlorophyll
maintains ribosome structure.
Sulphur- main constituent of several coenzymes, vitamins
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Iron1. constituent of proteins involved in transfer of electrons,
2. activates catalase enzymes
3. essential for formation of chlorophyll.
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Manganese1. activates many enzymes involved in photosynthesis, respiration and nitrogen
metabolism;
2. splitting of water to liberate oxygen during photosynthesis.
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Functions of Mineral Nutrients in Plants
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Zinc1. activates various enzymes, especially carboxylases
2. synthesis of auxin
Copper1. essential for overall metabolism in plants;
2. Like iron, it is associated with certain enzymes involved in redox reactions.
Boron1. required for uptake and utilisation of Ca2+;
2. membrane functioning, pollen germination;
3. cell elongation, cell differentiation and carbohydrate translocation.
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Chlorine1. along with Na+ and K+, it helps in determining solute concentration and anion cation balance in
cells;
2. essential for water-splitting reaction in photosynthesis, a reaction that leads to oxygen evolution
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Molybdenum- component of several enzymes
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Functions of Mineral Nutrients in Animals
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Sodium
1. Muscle contraction
2. Nerve impulse transmission
3. Maintenance of +ve electrolyte balance in
body
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Potassium
1. Many chemical activities inside cell
2. Muscle contraction
3. Nerve impulse transmission
4. Maintenance of +ve electrolyte balance in
body
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Calcium
1. Teeth and bone hardening
2. Blood coagulation
3. Muscle contraction
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Phosphorous
1. Teeth and bone hardening
2. Constant composition of body fluids
Iron
1. Hemoglobin
2. Tissue oxidation
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Biogeochemical Cycle
Cyclic / Bidirectional
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Biogeochemical Cycle
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Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen and Phosphorus as elements and compounds make
up 97% of mass of our bodies and more than 95% of mass of all living organisms.
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These mineral nutrients are always in circulation moving from non-living to living and then
back to non-living components of ecosystem in more or less circular fashion.
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Based on nature of reservoir, there are two types of cycles namely
1. Gaseous cycle- where reservoir is atmosphere or hydrosphere i.e. Hydrologic cycle,
Carbon cycle, Nitrogen cycle, Oxygen cycle.
2.
Sedimentary cycle where reservoir is earth’s crust i.e. Phosphorus cycle, Sulphur cycle.
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Hydrologic/ Water Cycle
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Hydrological cycle is continuous circular of water in Earth-atmosphere system which is driven by
solar energy.
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100% water available in Biosphere
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Out of which 5% is utilisable
 97.2%- stored in oceans
 2.15%- polar ice caps
 0.62%- Ground water
 0.03%- Streams, Lakes, Inland oceans
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Out of which 95% is non-utilisable as locked in rocks of earth crust
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Hydrologic/ Water Cycle
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Modification in Hydrologic/ Water Cycle
1.
Cloud seeding
2.
Pollution
3.
Deforestation
4.
Urban heat island
5.
Pollution dome
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Nitrogen Cycle
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Nitrogen is essential constituent of protein and basic building block of living tissue.
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There is an inexhaustible supply of nitrogen in atmosphere but nitrogen can’t be used directly by
most living organism. Nitrogen needs to be ‘fixed’ that is converted to ammonia, nitrites or nitrates,
before it can be taken up by plants.
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Nitrogen fixation- 3 different ways
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By free living symbiotic microorganisms
1. Azotobacter- Aerobic
2. Clostridium- Anaerobic
3. Rhizobium- Legumes
4. Cyanobacteria, Blue green algae, Nostac, Anabema- Rice field
2.
Energy discharging during lightning or solar UV radiation
3.
Man using industrial processes like fertilizer factories
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Nitrogen Cycle
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Nitrogen Cycle
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Carbon Cycle
Take carbon from atmosphere
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Releases carbon to atmosphere
Photosynthesis
• Land- plants
• Sea- phytoplanktons-- Carbonate rocks
(CaCO3)
Organic storage in plant– fossil formation–
coal, mineral oil and gas
1.
Respiration
2.
Decomposition
3.
Combustion
4.
Weathering
5.
Volcanic Eruption
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Carbon Cycle
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Oxygen Cycle
Releases oxygen to atmosphere
Take oxygen from atmosphere
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Photosynthesis
1.
Respiration
2.
Reduction of metal oxides
2.
Combustion
3.
Volcano
3.
Oxides in drainage water
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Oxygen Cycle
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Phosphorus Cycle
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Sulphur Cycle
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Questions
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