ECOLOGY AND ECOSYSTEM
 The sum total of all surroundings of a living
organism, including natural forces and other
living things, which provide
conditions for development and growth as well as
of danger and damage.
 Environment is made up of
 Abiotic Components
 Biotic Components
 The study of an organism and its environment is
called as ecology
 Kinds of Ecology
1. Autecology: It is the study of individual organism
or individual species in relation to environment.
2. Synecology: It is the study of group of organisms
and their relationship with the environment.
3. Ecosystemology: It is the study of biotic and
abiotic components.
Ecosystem is the group of biotic and abiotic
components and their interaction with each other
exchanging energy and matter.
 Biotic
Components
Producers
Consumers
Decomposers
 Abiotic
Components
 Climatic factors
 Medium factors
 Physical factors
 Chemical factors
7
Plants harness the sun’s
energy in which process?
We call plants producers
because they produce
energy from the sun
directly.
 Grazing Food Chain
ProducersHerbivoro
usCarnivores
It is of two type
1) Terrestrial Food
Chain
2) Aquatic Food Chain
 Detritus Food Chain
A detritus food
chain is one in
which the
primary
consumer feeds
on dead plant
matter.
1) Forest Ecosystem:
Abiotic Components:
Inorganic and organic substance present in soil
Temperature, light, rainfall etc
Soil minerals (vary from forest to forest)
Biotic Components:
Producers: Teak, sal, deodar, pine etc apart from trees shrubs and ground vegetation
Consumers:
Primary Consumers: ants, flies, beetles, spiders, elephant ets
Secondary Consumers: snakes, birds, lizards
Tertiary Consumers: lion, tiger etc
Decomposers: Fungi, bacteria (Bacillus, Pseudomonas) and actinomycetes.
 What is a grassland?
Regions with enough average annual precipitation to allow grass to
prosper but with precipitation so erratic that drought and fire
prevent large stands of trees from growing.
 Abiotic Components: soil, sunlight, water, rock
and air
 Biotic components:
Producers: grass ( Dicanthium, Imparta, Saccharum etc), herbs and
shrubs
Consumers:
Primary Consumer: cows, buffalows, deer, sheep, rabbit, mouse etc
some particular species observed include Leptocorisa, Cicindella
feeds on leaves of grass.
Secondary Consumers: snakes, lizard, birds, fox etc
Tertiary Consumers: Hawks
Decomposers: fungi (mucor, penecillium), bacteria and
actinomycetes.
 Deserts are dry and hot. There
are very few clouds.
 Two kinds of deserts:
 Hot deserts
 Cold deserts
 Hot deserts
 Temperatures are very warm all
year round
 The summers are very hot
 Cold deserts
 Short, warm summers
 Long, cold winters
 Found in places near the north and
south poles
 Abiotic Components: soil (sand),
sunlight, temperature, air and water.
 Biotic components:
Producers: cacti, desert shrubs, and bush
Consumers: insects, reptiles, birds, camel
etc
Decomposers: Dung beetle and termites
fungi, bacteria that can survive in high
temperature.
Roadrunner
Anteater
Scorpion
Gila monster (lizard)
Camel
 Many plants are found in the desert.
They usually grow close to the ground.
 These plants have special parts that
help them save water.
 The special parts are: thick stem,
shallow and wide roots, and thick skin
covered with spines instead of leaves.
An aquatic ecosystem is an ecosystem located in
bodies of water. Types of aquatic ecosystems are
The Marine Ecosystem and The Freshwater
Ecosystem.
 Abiotic Components: Temperature, sunlight, water
and several organic and inorganic substances like
CO2, O, N, Ca, carbohydrates and proteins.
 Biotic components:
Producers: green photosynthetic organisms,
phytoplankton and macrophytes.
Consumers:
Primary Consumer: Zooplanktons
Secondary Consumers: insects and fish
Tertiary Consumers: large fish
Decomposers: fungi, bacteria and actinomycetes.
 Abiotic Components: oxygen
concentrations, PH levels,
discharge, sediment amount
and water
 Biotic components:
Producers: green algae,
phytoplankton and water
grasses
Consumers: insects, snails, fishes
and crocodiles
Decomposers: fungi, bacteria
 Abiotic Components: salinity, dissolved oxygen,
light and temperature.
 Biotic components:
Producers:, phytoplankton and large marine plants
Consumers:
Primary Consumer: crustaceans, fish
Secondary Consumers: herring, mackerel
Tertiary Consumers: large fish like cod, shark
Decomposers: fungi, bacteria and actinomycetes.
The Water, Carbon and Nitrogen
Cycle, Phosphorus and Oxygen
Water never leaves the Earth. It is constantly being
cycled through the atmosphere, ocean, and land.
Water never leaves the Earth. It is
constantly being cycled through the
atmosphere, ocean, and land. This process,
known as the water cycle, is driven by
energy from the sun. The water cycle is
crucial to the existence of life on our planet.
Evaporation: Process by which the sun heats
up liquid water and changes it to a gas
Where does the water come from via this process?
What speeds up the process of evaporation?
Condensation: Process by which water rises
into the atmosphere, cools and becomes a liquir
again.
In what form is water as it rises?
What does it become as it condenses?
Precipitation: Process by which water condenses and falls back to the earth.
Where do you think most Precipitation occurs?
What is the difference between rain and snow in the context of the bonds between
water molecules? What are these bonds called?
Transpiration: The process of evaporation
from plants
Why would plants release water?
Think back to your properties of water.
Runoff: Water that collects in rivers, streams,
and oceans
What could contribute to greater amounts of
runoff?
(1) Nitrogen Fixation
(3) Nitrification (2) Ammonification
(4) Denitrification
Nitrogen
Cycle
Ammonia (NH3)
Nitrogen combines
with Hydrogen to make
Ammonia
Nitrates (NO3)
Nitrogen combines
with Oxygen to make
Nitrates
Atmospheric
Nitrogen (N2)
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Oxygen Hydrogen
Oxygen
Hydrogen
N
Bacteria decomposers break down amino acids into ammonium
Ammonium (NH4) is
stored in soil.
Bacteria converts organic nitrogen to
ammonium (NH4)
Ammonium (NH4) is used by
some plants
Bacteria
Nitrates (NO3)
in Soil
Nitrogen in atmosphere (N2)
 Carbon (as CO2) is accumulated…
 Photosynthesis uses sunlight to
make carbohydrate from CO2.
 Carbon (as CO2) is released…
 Respiration - carbon is oxidized for
energy.
 Combustion - carbon is burned
 Weathering - rain (slightly acidic)
weathers calcium carbonate rocks
 Impact Of Human Behaviour And
Technological Advancements On The
Environment
 Necessity of conservation of Natural
resources
 Role of Engineers in achieving
Sustainable Development.
 Following points are suggested for carrying out EIA
Status of existing environmental condition
Study of project activities
Suggestions to minimize adverse effects
Pollution abatement
Identifying damages
 Methods of carrying out EIA:
1) Ad hoc method
2) Overlays Method
3) Matrix Method
4) Networks Method
5) Checklist method
WASTE
An unusable /unwanted substance or material,
rejected as worthless.
Eg) Rubbish, trash, garbage or junk
 Domestic wastes - Eg) paper, plastic, glass,
ceramics, vegetable wastes
 Commercial wastes - Eg) printer paper, meat
remnants
 Ashes - Eg) coal, wood and coke.
Open burning of wastes also generates ashes
 Animal Wastes - Eg)dung of animals
rejected feed
Biomedical Wastes - Eg) expired drugs, plastic syringes,
surgical dressings
Construction Wastes- Eg) metal rods, bricks, cement, concrete,
roofing materials, digging activities Eg) telephone, electricity,
drainage
Industrial Solid Wastes-Eg) garment factory would dump
textiles of various kinds
Sewer -removed from sewerage left on the roadside
Hazardous wastes -potentially dangerous react explosively
with air or water.Change in the genetic structure ofindividuals
E Waste- electronics disposed E.g.) Secondary computers,
electronics, mobile phones, television sets & refrigerator
Nuclear waste - containing radioactive material product of a
nuclear fission
 Affects our health
 Affects our socio-economic
conditions
 Effects of waste If not managed
 Affects our climate
 Rise in global temperatures ‘
 Rise in sea levels
 Disposal Methods
Land fills
 Convenient
 Inexpensive
 Destruction of food sources
 Desalination
Incineration
 Requires minimum land
 Can be operated in any
weather
 Expensive to build and
operate
 Continuous maintenance
Composting
 Recycling methods
Biological Reprocessing
Energy recovery
i) Pyrolysis
ii) Gasification
iii) Biogas
 There is no generally accepted definition of e-
waste
 Unwanted, obsolete or unusable electronic
products such as computers, computer
peripherals,televisions,VCRs,DVD Players,
stereo equipment, hand cell phones are
commonly referred to as ‘electronic waste’
 Management and disposal of e-waste has
become a serious problem among nationwide
 The problem of electronic waste (e-waste) is
growing at an unsustainable rate.
 E-waste is now the fastest growing, and most
toxic, component of municipal garbage.
 Local governments are facing huge costs to
handle e-waste, and even greater costs if they
do not capture this toxic stream and handle it in
an appropriate manner.
 Due to increased public,regulatory and
commercial scrutiny and also a
commensurate entrepreneur interest,there has
been a diversion from energy intensive down
cycling processes to more mature processing
systems
 This has been largely achieved through reuse
and refurbishing
 Preventing waste in the first place is the
preferred mngt option
 This can be achieved through
repairing,upgrading used electrical equipment
 Example- adding memory to a
computer,upgrading software
 Make use of take back programs
 Through recycling units are either reused or
dismantled for recycling.
 The silver,gold,lead and other heavy metal are
recyclable
 The least preferred option is to landfill
electronic waste
 This should only come as a last option but care
to consult with state regulations on disposal of
any hazardous waste

Ecology And Ecosystem Unit IV

  • 1.
  • 2.
     The sumtotal of all surroundings of a living organism, including natural forces and other living things, which provide conditions for development and growth as well as of danger and damage.  Environment is made up of  Abiotic Components  Biotic Components
  • 3.
     The studyof an organism and its environment is called as ecology  Kinds of Ecology 1. Autecology: It is the study of individual organism or individual species in relation to environment. 2. Synecology: It is the study of group of organisms and their relationship with the environment. 3. Ecosystemology: It is the study of biotic and abiotic components.
  • 4.
    Ecosystem is thegroup of biotic and abiotic components and their interaction with each other exchanging energy and matter.
  • 5.
     Biotic Components Producers Consumers Decomposers  Abiotic Components Climatic factors  Medium factors  Physical factors  Chemical factors
  • 7.
  • 8.
    Plants harness thesun’s energy in which process?
  • 9.
    We call plantsproducers because they produce energy from the sun directly.
  • 12.
     Grazing FoodChain ProducersHerbivoro usCarnivores It is of two type 1) Terrestrial Food Chain 2) Aquatic Food Chain  Detritus Food Chain A detritus food chain is one in which the primary consumer feeds on dead plant matter.
  • 15.
    1) Forest Ecosystem: AbioticComponents: Inorganic and organic substance present in soil Temperature, light, rainfall etc Soil minerals (vary from forest to forest) Biotic Components: Producers: Teak, sal, deodar, pine etc apart from trees shrubs and ground vegetation Consumers: Primary Consumers: ants, flies, beetles, spiders, elephant ets Secondary Consumers: snakes, birds, lizards Tertiary Consumers: lion, tiger etc Decomposers: Fungi, bacteria (Bacillus, Pseudomonas) and actinomycetes.
  • 17.
     What isa grassland? Regions with enough average annual precipitation to allow grass to prosper but with precipitation so erratic that drought and fire prevent large stands of trees from growing.
  • 18.
     Abiotic Components:soil, sunlight, water, rock and air  Biotic components: Producers: grass ( Dicanthium, Imparta, Saccharum etc), herbs and shrubs Consumers: Primary Consumer: cows, buffalows, deer, sheep, rabbit, mouse etc some particular species observed include Leptocorisa, Cicindella feeds on leaves of grass. Secondary Consumers: snakes, lizard, birds, fox etc Tertiary Consumers: Hawks Decomposers: fungi (mucor, penecillium), bacteria and actinomycetes.
  • 19.
     Deserts aredry and hot. There are very few clouds.  Two kinds of deserts:  Hot deserts  Cold deserts  Hot deserts  Temperatures are very warm all year round  The summers are very hot  Cold deserts  Short, warm summers  Long, cold winters  Found in places near the north and south poles
  • 20.
     Abiotic Components:soil (sand), sunlight, temperature, air and water.  Biotic components: Producers: cacti, desert shrubs, and bush Consumers: insects, reptiles, birds, camel etc Decomposers: Dung beetle and termites fungi, bacteria that can survive in high temperature.
  • 21.
  • 22.
     Many plantsare found in the desert. They usually grow close to the ground.  These plants have special parts that help them save water.  The special parts are: thick stem, shallow and wide roots, and thick skin covered with spines instead of leaves.
  • 23.
    An aquatic ecosystemis an ecosystem located in bodies of water. Types of aquatic ecosystems are The Marine Ecosystem and The Freshwater Ecosystem.
  • 24.
     Abiotic Components:Temperature, sunlight, water and several organic and inorganic substances like CO2, O, N, Ca, carbohydrates and proteins.  Biotic components: Producers: green photosynthetic organisms, phytoplankton and macrophytes. Consumers: Primary Consumer: Zooplanktons Secondary Consumers: insects and fish Tertiary Consumers: large fish Decomposers: fungi, bacteria and actinomycetes.
  • 25.
     Abiotic Components:oxygen concentrations, PH levels, discharge, sediment amount and water  Biotic components: Producers: green algae, phytoplankton and water grasses Consumers: insects, snails, fishes and crocodiles Decomposers: fungi, bacteria
  • 26.
     Abiotic Components:salinity, dissolved oxygen, light and temperature.  Biotic components: Producers:, phytoplankton and large marine plants Consumers: Primary Consumer: crustaceans, fish Secondary Consumers: herring, mackerel Tertiary Consumers: large fish like cod, shark Decomposers: fungi, bacteria and actinomycetes.
  • 28.
    The Water, Carbonand Nitrogen Cycle, Phosphorus and Oxygen
  • 29.
    Water never leavesthe Earth. It is constantly being cycled through the atmosphere, ocean, and land.
  • 30.
    Water never leavesthe Earth. It is constantly being cycled through the atmosphere, ocean, and land. This process, known as the water cycle, is driven by energy from the sun. The water cycle is crucial to the existence of life on our planet.
  • 31.
    Evaporation: Process bywhich the sun heats up liquid water and changes it to a gas Where does the water come from via this process? What speeds up the process of evaporation?
  • 32.
    Condensation: Process bywhich water rises into the atmosphere, cools and becomes a liquir again. In what form is water as it rises? What does it become as it condenses?
  • 33.
    Precipitation: Process bywhich water condenses and falls back to the earth. Where do you think most Precipitation occurs? What is the difference between rain and snow in the context of the bonds between water molecules? What are these bonds called?
  • 34.
    Transpiration: The processof evaporation from plants Why would plants release water? Think back to your properties of water.
  • 35.
    Runoff: Water thatcollects in rivers, streams, and oceans What could contribute to greater amounts of runoff?
  • 36.
    (1) Nitrogen Fixation (3)Nitrification (2) Ammonification (4) Denitrification Nitrogen Cycle
  • 38.
    Ammonia (NH3) Nitrogen combines withHydrogen to make Ammonia Nitrates (NO3) Nitrogen combines with Oxygen to make Nitrates Atmospheric Nitrogen (N2) N N N N
  • 39.
  • 40.
    Bacteria decomposers breakdown amino acids into ammonium
  • 41.
    Ammonium (NH4) is storedin soil. Bacteria converts organic nitrogen to ammonium (NH4) Ammonium (NH4) is used by some plants Bacteria
  • 42.
  • 44.
     Carbon (asCO2) is accumulated…  Photosynthesis uses sunlight to make carbohydrate from CO2.  Carbon (as CO2) is released…  Respiration - carbon is oxidized for energy.  Combustion - carbon is burned  Weathering - rain (slightly acidic) weathers calcium carbonate rocks
  • 47.
     Impact OfHuman Behaviour And Technological Advancements On The Environment  Necessity of conservation of Natural resources  Role of Engineers in achieving Sustainable Development.
  • 48.
     Following pointsare suggested for carrying out EIA Status of existing environmental condition Study of project activities Suggestions to minimize adverse effects Pollution abatement Identifying damages  Methods of carrying out EIA: 1) Ad hoc method 2) Overlays Method 3) Matrix Method 4) Networks Method 5) Checklist method
  • 49.
    WASTE An unusable /unwantedsubstance or material, rejected as worthless. Eg) Rubbish, trash, garbage or junk
  • 51.
     Domestic wastes- Eg) paper, plastic, glass, ceramics, vegetable wastes  Commercial wastes - Eg) printer paper, meat remnants  Ashes - Eg) coal, wood and coke. Open burning of wastes also generates ashes  Animal Wastes - Eg)dung of animals rejected feed
  • 52.
    Biomedical Wastes -Eg) expired drugs, plastic syringes, surgical dressings Construction Wastes- Eg) metal rods, bricks, cement, concrete, roofing materials, digging activities Eg) telephone, electricity, drainage Industrial Solid Wastes-Eg) garment factory would dump textiles of various kinds Sewer -removed from sewerage left on the roadside Hazardous wastes -potentially dangerous react explosively with air or water.Change in the genetic structure ofindividuals E Waste- electronics disposed E.g.) Secondary computers, electronics, mobile phones, television sets & refrigerator Nuclear waste - containing radioactive material product of a nuclear fission
  • 53.
     Affects ourhealth  Affects our socio-economic conditions  Effects of waste If not managed  Affects our climate  Rise in global temperatures ‘  Rise in sea levels
  • 54.
     Disposal Methods Landfills  Convenient  Inexpensive  Destruction of food sources  Desalination Incineration  Requires minimum land  Can be operated in any weather  Expensive to build and operate  Continuous maintenance Composting  Recycling methods Biological Reprocessing Energy recovery i) Pyrolysis ii) Gasification iii) Biogas
  • 56.
     There isno generally accepted definition of e- waste  Unwanted, obsolete or unusable electronic products such as computers, computer peripherals,televisions,VCRs,DVD Players, stereo equipment, hand cell phones are commonly referred to as ‘electronic waste’
  • 57.
     Management anddisposal of e-waste has become a serious problem among nationwide  The problem of electronic waste (e-waste) is growing at an unsustainable rate.  E-waste is now the fastest growing, and most toxic, component of municipal garbage.  Local governments are facing huge costs to handle e-waste, and even greater costs if they do not capture this toxic stream and handle it in an appropriate manner.
  • 58.
     Due toincreased public,regulatory and commercial scrutiny and also a commensurate entrepreneur interest,there has been a diversion from energy intensive down cycling processes to more mature processing systems  This has been largely achieved through reuse and refurbishing
  • 59.
     Preventing wastein the first place is the preferred mngt option  This can be achieved through repairing,upgrading used electrical equipment  Example- adding memory to a computer,upgrading software
  • 60.
     Make useof take back programs  Through recycling units are either reused or dismantled for recycling.  The silver,gold,lead and other heavy metal are recyclable
  • 61.
     The leastpreferred option is to landfill electronic waste  This should only come as a last option but care to consult with state regulations on disposal of any hazardous waste