This document discusses ecosystems and endangered species. It defines an ecosystem as being comprised of biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components that interact. It then explains key ecosystem processes like energy transformation through food chains and webs. The document also covers ecosystem controls, dynamics, and management. Finally, it discusses endangered species, reasons for their endangerment, classification systems, and approaches for conservation.

1. Ecosystem and
endangered species
By
DUKUNDIMANA Private

2. What is an ecosystem?
 Ecosystems are made up of abiotic (non-living, environmental) and biotic
components, and these basic components are important to nearly all types of
ecosystems.
 Ecology generally is defined as the interactions of organisms with one another
and with the environment in which they occur.
Abiotic Biotic
Sunlight
Temperature
Precipitation
Water or moisture
Soil or water chemistry (e.g., P, NH4+)
etc.
Primary producers
Herbivores
Carnivores
Omnivores
Detritivores
etc.

3. Processes of ecosystem

4. Energy transformation
 The transformations of energy in an
ecosystem begin first with the input of
energy from the sun. Energy from the sun
is captured by the process of
photosynthesis. Carbon dioxide is
combined with hydrogen (derived from
the splitting of water molecules) to
produce carbohydrates (CHO). Energy is
stored in the high energy bonds of
adenosine triphosphate, or ATP. Virtually
all energy available to organisms
originates in plants.
 Food Chains are found in two parts of an
ecosystem. The "grazing" food chain
includes the producers and consumers
that cycle energy from living plants. The
"detritus" food chain cycles energy from
non-living remains of both plants and
animals (also called detritus). There are
many food links and chains in an
ecosystem, and we refer to all of these
linkages as a food web.

5. Ecosystem controls, dynamics and
management
 Controls on Ecosystem Function
Bottom-up control, states that it is the nutrient supply to the primary producers
that ultimately controls how ecosystems function.
Top-down control, states that predation and grazing by higher trophic levels on
lower trophic levels ultimately controls ecosystem function.
 Ecosystem dynamics
Ecosystems are dynamic entities invariably, they are subject to periodic
disturbances and are in the process of recovering from some past disturbance.
The frequency and severity of disturbance determines the way it impacts
ecosystem.
 Ecosystem management
The application of ecological science to resource management to promote long-
term sustainability of ecosystems and the delivery of essential ecosystem goods
and services". Its fundamental principle is the long-term sustainability of the
production of goods and services by the ecosystem.

6. ENDANGERED SPECIES
 Since life began on earth, countless species have come and gone, rendered
extinct by natural changing physical and biological conditions.
 An endangered species is a group of organisms which is at risk of becoming
extinct.
 Reasons of extinction of species
It is for three reasons: Destruction or interruption of environment, in other words
habitat loss; an alteration in the ecological balance resulting in an increase in
predators; and too few remaining members for sustainable breeding.
Whales, elephants and tigers, examples of endangered species

7. Classification System of endangered species
According to IUCN, they are classified as follow:
 EX - extinct with no individuals remaining; examples include Javan Tiger, Dodo and
Woolly Mammoth;
 EW - extinct in the wild; only surviving in captivity or in locations outside its
historic range; examples include Hawaiian Crow, Socorro Dove and Scimitar Oryx;
 CR - critically endangered; extremely high risk of extinction in the wild; examples
include Mountain Gorilla, Bactrian Camel, California Condor and White Rhinoceros;
 EN - endangered; high risk of extinction in the wild; Blue Whale, Giant Panda, Snow
Leopard and Tiger;
 VU - vulnerable; high risk of endangerment in the wild; examples include African
Elephant, Cheetah, Polar Bear and Hippopotamus;
 NT - near threatened; likely to become endangered in the near future; examples
include American Bison, Jaguar, Okapi and Tiger Shark;
 LC - least concern; lowest risk; no immediate threat to survival; many examples
including Giraffe, Brown Bear, Grey Wolf, House Mouse, Emperor Penguin and
Human

8. Conservation of endangered species
 Creating more awareness of environmental ethics that can help to encourage species
preservation.
 Where species are very rare and in danger of extinction, a program of captive
breeding can be adopted.
 Legal private farming.
 Salmon farming has already proved to be very successful and there has been some
success farming of other species of fish.
The natural world and the species that inhabit it are vital to us all. Either directly or
indirectly our world provides us with clean air, food, water, shelter, energy, soil,
medicines, protection from natural disasters, as well as recreation, inspiration, diversity
and beauty. But this is a fragile world. Many its diverse species are in danger of being
lost of ever; basically the choice is ours.
END