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Chapter 9 Ecosystem

This document discusses ecosystems and population ecology. It begins by explaining how ecosystems can change due to natural phenomena or human activities, and how pioneer species can colonize deserted areas over a long period of time. Succession is described as dominant plant species being gradually replaced by other species. Population ecology studies interactions between a population and its environment, and factors like population size, density, and distribution are discussed. Methods for estimating population sizes, such as quadrat sampling and capture-mark-release-recapture techniques, are also summarized.

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64 views18 pages

Chapter 9 Ecosystem

This document discusses ecosystems and population ecology. It begins by explaining how ecosystems can change due to natural phenomena or human activities, and how pioneer species can colonize deserted areas over a long period of time. Succession is described as dominant plant species being gradually replaced by other species. Population ecology studies interactions between a population and its environment, and factors like population size, density, and distribution are discussed. Methods for estimating population sizes, such as quadrat sampling and capture-mark-release-recapture techniques, are also summarized.

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Rasigaa
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CHAPTER 9

ECOSYSTEM
COLONISATION AND SUCCESSION

An ecosystem can change due to natural phenomena such as a volcano eruption,


earthquakes, draughts and human activities. Human activities, such as mining can
cause organisms to die or migrate to other habitats. However, after a long period of
time, this deserted area starts to have inhabitants known as pioneer species, a species
that begins to colonise an area where there are no other living things
COLONISATION

Plants start to conquer an uninhabited area, breed and


form colonies in that area

SUCCESSION
A few species of dominant plants in a habitat are gradually
being replaced by other species called successor.
THE IMPORTANC OF THE MANGROVE ECOSYSTEM
9.2 POPULATION ECOLOGY
Population ecology is a branch of ecology which studies the interactions of a
population with its surroundings. As learnt in Subtopic 9.1, a population is a
group of organisms of the same species living in the same habitat. Population
distribution shows how the organisms of the same species are able to spread out
in a habitat.
Factors Affecting Population Distribution

PLANTS
ANIMAL
ESTIMATION OF ORGANISM POPULATION SIZE

Two important factors for studying population ecology are population size and
population density.

Population size: The number of organisms present in a


population.
Population density: The number of individuals of a species
per unit area of a habitat.
The population size in an area can be estimated by a random sampling
technique when the studied area is large and difficult to obtain data. A
sample which represents the area is taken to give an estimation of the
abundance and the distribution pattern of certain organisms that inhabit
the area.
Quadrat Sampling Technique

A quadrat sampling technique can estimate the population size of land plants or animals
which are inactive or move slowly . The number of organisms in the quadrat areas is the sample
which represents the whole area of study. The data obtained from all quadrats can be used to
estimate the population in the area of study.
A quadrat is a square-framed structure which is made of wood, iron or plastic.Normally, a
quadrat is subdivided into a few parts of the same size to estimate the coverage percentage of
any species. The size of the quadrat depends on the types and size of organisms, the area of study
as well as the distribution and density of the plants being studied. For example, a one-metre-
squared quadrat is suitable to estimate the population of plants in a school field.
Quadrat sampling technique can estimate the frequency, density and coverage of any plant
species which is being studied in the area of study.
Capture-Mark-Release-Recapture Technique

Capture-mark-release-recapture technique can estimate the population size of


organisms such as foxes, sharks, snails, millipedes, insects and butterflies which
can move freely in the studied area. This technique involves a number of steps
THANK
YOU

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