Definition of Decomposition Decomposition: The process of breaking down complex organic matter into simpler inorganic substances like carbon dioxide, water, and nutrients. Role of Detritus Detritus: Dead plant remains (e.g., leaves, bark, flowers) and animal remains, including fecal matter, serve as the raw material for decomposition. Steps in the...
Energy Source and Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) The Sun is the primary energy source for all ecosystems (except deep-sea hydrothermal ecosystems). Of the total incident solar radiation, less than 50% is PAR. Plants capture only 2-10% of PAR through photosynthesis, which sustains the entire living world. Energy Flow Characteristics Energy flows in a unidirectional manner:...
Productivity in Ecosystems Definition of Productivity Productivity: Rate of biomass production in an ecosystem, expressed in: Weight: gm⁻² yr⁻¹ Energy: kcal m⁻² yr⁻¹ Productivity helps compare different ecosystems. Types of Productivity Primary Productivity: Biomass or organic matter produced by plants through photosynthesis. Gross Primary Productivity (GPP): Total rate of...
Definition of Ecosystem An ecosystem is a functional unit of nature where living organisms (biotic components) interact among themselves and with their surrounding physical environment (abiotic components). Key Features of Ecosystems Interactions: Organisms interact with each other and with the physical environment. These interactions form cycles, chains, and webs...
Ecosystem – Structure and Function Introduction An ecosystem consists of biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components. These components interact, influencing each other and their environment. The flow of energy within an ecosystem integrates these components into a functional unit. Physical Structure of Ecosystems Physical Structure: Formed by interactions between...
Definition & Importance of Predation: Predation is a natural process where one organism (predator) hunts and consumes another (prey). It serves as a means of transferring energy fixed by autotrophic organisms (plants) to higher trophic levels in the food chain. Predation helps regulate the population of prey species, ensuring...
Reproductive Fitness: Populations evolve to maximize their reproductive fitness (also called Darwinian fitness). High reproductive fitness is associated with a high r value (intrinsic rate of natural increase). Reproductive Strategies: Organisms adopt strategies based on the habitat they live in and the selection pressures they face. Two major reproductive...
Interspecific Interactions: These interactions arise from the interaction of populations of two different species. They can be: Beneficial: One or both species benefit. Detrimental: One or both species are harmed. Neutral: Neither species benefits nor is harmed. Key Types of Interactions (with symbols): Mutualism (+ +): Both species benefit...
Resource Limitation in Nature: Unlimited resources do not exist in nature for any species. Limited resources lead to competition among individuals. Only the ‘fittest’ individuals survive and reproduce (Natural Selection). Carrying Capacity (K): Carrying capacity is the maximum population size that a habitat can sustain with its available resources....
Predictable Patterns in Population Growth Population growth can follow specific and predictable patterns over time. Human population growth has raised concerns, leading to curiosity about whether animal populations exhibit similar patterns or natural restraints. Understanding these patterns can provide insights into controlling population growth. Types of Growth Models Exponential...