Ch 13 - Our Environment10th Science
The Ecosystem and Its Components
What fundamentally constitutes an 'Ecosystem', and what are its two primary interdependent categories of components?
What fundamentally constitutes an 'Ecosystem', and what are its two primary interdependent categories of components?
- Definition: A self-sustaining, functional unit of the biosphere where all living organisms in a specific area continuously interact with each other and with their non-living physical surroundings.
- Biotic Components: The living biological organisms (e.g., producers, consumers, decomposers).
- Abiotic Components: The non-living physicochemical factors that dictate the environment's carrying capacity (e.g., temperature, rainfall, light, wind, soil, and inorganic minerals).
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Natural vs. Artificial Ecosystems
Differentiate between a natural ecosystem and an artificial ecosystem in terms of sustainability, providing two biological examples for each.
Differentiate between a natural ecosystem and an artificial ecosystem in terms of sustainability, providing two biological examples for each.
- Natural Ecosystems: These operate and sustain themselves purely through natural biogeochemical cycles without any significant human intervention or maintenance. (Examples: Tropical rainforests, Oceans, Lakes).
- Artificial (Anthropogenic) Ecosystems: These are created, maintained, and actively manipulated by human beings to serve specific agricultural or aesthetic purposes. They often require external energy and nutrient inputs. (Examples: Crop-fields, Aquariums, Botanical Gardens).
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Maintenance of Artificial Ecosystems
Ecologically speaking, why does an artificial ecosystem like a home aquarium require regular physical cleaning and filtration, whereas a natural pond does not?
Ecologically speaking, why does an artificial ecosystem like a home aquarium require regular physical cleaning and filtration, whereas a natural pond does not?
- Natural Ponds: Are complete, self-sustaining ecosystems. They possess a naturally balanced population of decomposers (saprophytic bacteria and fungi) that efficiently break down dead organic matter and animal waste into harmless inorganic nutrients.
- Aquariums: Are incomplete ecosystems. They typically lack a sufficient, established population of these natural micro-decomposers. Without manual cleaning, toxic organic waste (feces, uneaten food, ammonia) rapidly accumulates and will lethally poison the aquatic life.
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Also in this chapter
29 more cards to study in Prism
- 4The Ecological Role of Decomposers
- 5Trophic Levels in a Food Chain
- 6Food Chain vs. Food Web
- 7Grazing vs. Detritus Food Chain
- 8Unidirectional Flow of Ecological Energy
- 9The 1% Rule of Producer Energy Capture
- 10Lindeman's 10% Law of Energy Transfer
- 11Mathematical Limitation of Trophic Levels
- 12The Upright Pyramid of Energy
- 13Formation of Ozone
- 14Population Distribution (Pyramid of Numbers)
- 15Trophic Cascade: Removal of a Level
- 16Biological Magnification
- 17Bioaccumulation vs. Biomagnification
- 18Case Study: Biomagnification of DDT
- 19The Dual Nature and Protective Role of Ozone ($O_3$)
- 20Biological Hazards of UV Radiation
- 21Ozone Depletion and CFCs
- 22The Montreal Protocol (1987)
- 23Enzyme Specificity and Environmental Biodegradability
- 24Physical Degradation of Plastics
- 25Negative Impacts of Biodegradable Waste
- 26Negative Impacts of Non-Biodegradable Waste
- 27The '3Rs' Waste Management Hierarchy
- 28Composting of Organic Waste
- 29Landfill Hazards: Toxic Leachate
- 30The Hazards of Plastic Incineration
- 31Policy Case Study: The 'Kulhad' Alternative
- 32Key Scientists in Modern Ecology
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