This document provides an introduction to the topic of ecological equilibrium. It defines key terms like ecosystem, biotic and abiotic factors, habitat, niche, and ecology. It discusses the main divisions of ecology and objectives of studying ecology, which include understanding dynamics of surroundings and conserving the environment. The three pillars of sustainability - economic, social, and environmental development - are explained. The concepts of ecological balance, balance of nature, and ecosystem stability are introduced. Finally, issues affecting ecological equilibrium like climatic, topographic, edaphic, biotic factors and limiting factors are outlined.

1. SEMINOR TOPIC
ECOLOGICAL EQUILIBRIUM
Presented by,
Ancy Treesa
Jincy Joseph

2. INTRODUCTION TO ECOLOGY
LEVELS OF ORGANIZATION

3. ECOSYSTEM
• An ECOSYSTEM can be described simply as the collection of
all living and non-living components in a particular area.
• The living components of the environment are known as
BIOTIC factors. Biotic factors include plants, animals, and
micro-organisms.
• The non-living components of the environment are known
as ABIOTIC factors. Abiotic factors include things such as
rocks and water.

5. Some Terms :
• Habitat : the place where the population of
organism lives.
• Niche : Relational position of a species or
population in an ecosystem.
• Habits : something that one is used to doing;
part of a routine; behavior pattern .

6. ECOLOGY
• Derived From Greek work – oikos(home) and
logos(study).
• Branch of Science that deals with the
interrelationship between biotic and abiotic
components of nature ,as well as with the
relationship among the individuals, population
and community of the biotic components.

7. ECOLOGY DEFINED IN NUMBER OF WAYS :
• According to E.P. Odum "Ecology is the study of
structure and functions of nature and ecosystems“.
• According to Colinvauk, "Ecology is the study of
animals and plants in situations to their habits and
habitats".

8. OBJECTIVES OF ECOLOGY
• Presence of man in the ecosystem.
• To understand the dynamics of our surroundings and to
take proper measures to conserve it if and when
required.
• 1. The local and geographic distribution and abundance
of organisms (habitat, niche, community, biogeography).
• 2. Temporal changes in the occurrence, abundance, and
activities of organisms (seasonal, annual, successional,
geological).

9. • 3.The inter-relationship among organisms in population
and communities.
• 4.The structural adaptations and functional adjustments
of organisms to their physical environment.
• 5.The behaviour of organisms under natural conditions
• 6.The biological productivity of nature and its
relationship with mankind.

10. DIVISION OF ECOLOGY
Main Divisions
• Physiological Ecology (Eco-physiology) and Behavioural
Ecology
• Population Ecology or Autoecology
• Community Ecology or Synecology
• Ecosystem Ecology
• Landscape Ecology
Also subdivided as Animal ecology,plant ecology,insect
ecology,space ecology etc

11. Sustainable Development
• Development that meets the needs of the present
without jeopardizing the needs of the future
generations.
The three pillars of sustainability
• Economic Development
-utilization of natural resources
• Social Development
-basic needs like food,clothes,water,air,soil etc
• Environmental Development
-safe environment to present as well as future
generation.

12. Methods to Enforce the Concept of
Sustainable Development
• judiciously use the resources that are available in
plenty and maintain them without depletion or
pollution.
• restrict the use of the already endangered resources
and protect them from unsustainable development.
• to increase awareness about the concept of sustainable
development and ensure that the people understand
its full meaning.

13. “Ecological balance," or “Balance of nature," or
“Ecosystem stability“
• Balance between the production and consumption of
each component in the ecosystem.
To Explain the Stability of Ecosystem
• Theory of Diversity or Stability
• Homeostatic Mechanism
• Models

14. Issues Affecting Ecological Equilibrium
• Climatic Factors
 Light
 Heat
 Water
 Rainfall
 Wind
 Humidity
 Atmospheric gases
 pH

15. • Topograhic Factors
 Altitude
 Slope and direction of mountain chain and valleys
• Edaphic Factors

16. • Biotic Factors
 Symbiosis
 Commensalism
 Parasitisim
 Epiphytism
 Competition
• Limiting Factors

17. LIMITING FACTORS
• Limiting factors denote the amount of substance
that is either least abundant or over abundant in
the relation to the need of the living organism.
• Density Dependent
• Density Independent

18. LAWS OF LIMITING FACTORS
• LIEBIG’s law of minimum
• BLACKMAN’s law of limiting factor
• SHELFORD’s law of tolerance
Limit or Zone of tolerance

19. Every Environmental factors has 2 zones :
1. Zone of tolerance
2. Zone of intolerance