ENVIRONMENT

Environment
Ecology and Ecosystem
Biodiversity
Greenhouse Effect and Climate Change
Ozone Layer
Syllabus Forest and Wildlife
Sanctuary/Biosphere Reserve
Non-Conventional Energy
Pollution
Water Conservation
Miscellaneous
Environment
• An Environment is everything that is
around us, which includes both living and
nonliving things such as soil, water,
animals, plants, chairs, tables everything.

• Environment can be defined as a sum total

of all the living and non-living elements and
their effects that influence human life.
While all living or biotic elements are
animals, plants, forests, fisheries, and
birds, non-living or abiotic elements include
water, land, sunlight, rocks, and air.
 Ecology
• Ecology is defined "as a
scientific study of the
relationship of the living
organisms with each other and
with their environment."
• Ecology ‘Oikos’ meaning home
or place to live in and ‘logos’
meaning study. Literally, it is
the study of the home of nature.
• The German scientist Ernst
Haeckel coined the word
"ecology" in 1866.
Biotic
factors
have to rely
on abiotic
factors to
survive
Sunlight
Photosynthesis
 Autotrophs
Autotrophs are organisms that
produce their own food and energy.
They use energy from light or
chemical reactions to convert
carbon from simple substances into
complex organic compounds. These
compounds can be used by other
organisms.

Autotrophs are also known as

producers or autophyte.
 Heterotrophs

• Heterotrophs are organisms that cannot produce their own food. They
get their nutrition from other sources of organic carbon, such as plant or
animal matter. In the food chain, heterotrophs are primary, secondary,
and tertiary consumers.
• Here are some examples of heterotrophs:
• Bacteria, Fungi, Yeast, Cows, Dogs, Humans, Worms, Insects.
Decomposers
• Decomposers are organisms that
break down dead or decaying
organisms. They include:
• Bacteria, Fungi, Detritivores,
Invertebrates, Earthworms,
Termites.
• Decomposers feed on dead plant or
animal matter, making organic
nutrients available to the
ecosystem. They also take in soil
and tiny pebbles when they eat.
Decomposer, What do
they do?

Decomposition is the process

of breaking down complex
organic matter into simpler
compounds. This process is
carried out by microscopic
organisms like bacteria and
fungi.
Humification
• Humification is the process of organic matter breaking
down into humus.
 Humus

• Decomposed form of organic

matter.
• Humus is the dark organic
matter in soil that is formed
by the decomposition of
plant and animal matter. It
is a kind of soil organic
matter. It is rich in nutrients
and retains moisture in the
soil. Humus is the Latin
word for "earth" or "ground".
Why
Decomposing
Everything?
Everyone has a
fixed role
Ecological
Niche
• In the ecosystem, that fixed role of any
organism in a geographical habitat is known
as Ecological Niche of that organism.
Ecosystem and Ecology
• Levels of Organization in an ecosystem
• Types of Ecosystem & their Functions
• Eutrophication
Levels of Organization in an
ecosystem
• Biosphere
• Biomes
• Ecosystem
• Community
• Population
• Individual
• Cell
Individual; Organism is
an individual living being
that has the ability to act
or function
independently. It may be
plant, animal, bacterium,
fungi, etc.
Population; Population is a
group of organisms usually of
the same species, occupying
a defined area during a
specific time. The main
limiting factors for the growth
of a population are abiotic
and biotic components.
Community
• Population of plants and
animals seldom occur by
themselves.
• In order to survive,
individuals of any one
species depend on
individuals of different
species with which they
actively interact in
several ways.
• Communities in most
instances are named
after the dominant plant
form (species).
 Major Minor

On the basis of Major Minor

size and degree Community Communities
of relative These are large- These are
independence sized, well dependent on
communities organized and neighbouring
may be divided relatively communities
into two types: independent.
Ecosystem
• An ecosystem is defined as a structural and
functional unit of biosphere
• It consists of community of living beings and the
physical environment, both interacting and
exchanging materials between them.
• It includes plants, trees, animals, fish, birds, micro
organisms, water, soil, and people.
• Ecosystems vary greatly in size and elements but
each is a functioning unit of nature
• Ecosystem can be as small as a single tree or as large
as entire forest.
Biome
A biome is a biogeographical unit
that consists of a biological
community that has formed in
response to the physical
environment and a shared
regional climate. Biomes can
span more than one continent.
Biosphere
• Biosphere is a part
of the earth where
life can exist.
• Biosphere
comprising of
atmosphere (air),
hydrosphere
(water) and
lithosphere (land).
Biosphere is absent at
extremes of the North
and South poles, the
highest mountains
and the deepest
oceans, since existing
hostile conditions
there do not support
life.
Specie
• A species is a group of organisms that can reproduce with
each other and produce fertile offspring. It is the basic
unit of classification in biology.

• Native and Non-Native Specie

Native and Non-Native Specie
• A species is native to a region or ecosystem if it arrived
there naturally, without human intervention. For
example, a seed carried by the wind or an animal moving
to a new location. Native species are also called
indigenous species.
• A species is non-native if it was introduced to a new area
by humans, either accidentally or deliberately. For
example, soybeans, kiwi fruit, wheat, honey bees, and all
livestock except the American bison and the turkey are
non-native to North America.
Homeostasis

Homeostasis is the state of optimal functioning

for an organism. It's the condition of
maintaining steady internal, physical, chemical,
and social conditions. These conditions include
many variables, such as:
Ecotype and Ecophene
• Ecotype and ecophene are two types of phenotypes shown
by organisms when they adapt to new environments.
• Ecotype is a phenotype that is permanently adapted to
the new habitat. Therefore, it is a genotypically adapted
phenotype.
• Ecophene is a phenotype that is temporarily adapted to
the new habitat.
 • An invasive species is a non-
Invasive species native organism that can
cause harm to the
environment, economy, or
human health. Invasive
species can be:
• Diseases, Parasites, Plants,
Animals, Amphibians,
Insects, Fish, Fungi,
Bacteria, Seeds, Eggs.
• Invasive species can
adversely affect habitats and
bioregions, causing
ecological, environmental,
and/or economic damage.
Endemic Species

• Endemic species are

plants and animals that
are only found in one
geographic region. These
species may be found in
isolated areas where it is
difficult for them to
spread to other areas.
They may also be found
in areas with unusual
environmental
characteristics that they
are uniquely adapted to.
 Sentinel Species
Sentinel species are
organisms, usually animals,
that can detect risks to
humans by warning of danger.
They are often used to monitor
environmental hazards.
Sentinel species can:
• Identify human health risks
• Detect contamination of the
food chain
• Identify environmental
pollution
• Provide insight into the
health of an ecosystem
Sentinel Species
Some examples of sentinel species include:
• Lichen: Growing on rocks and trees
• Caribou: A herd animal
• Atlantic bottlenose dolphin: A marine mammal
• West Indian manatee: A marine mammal
• California sea lion: A marine mammal
• Sea otter: A marine mammal
• Chickens: Used to study OPIDN
• Horses: May be an important sentinel animal for risk of Lyme
disease
Sentinel Species
Scientists choose sentinel species based on:
• Sensitivity
• Resistance
• Ability to accumulate toxins
• Being relatively common
• Being easily handled
• Having consistent and regularly measurable responses to
environmental changes
 Keystone Species

• Keystone species are

organisms that have a
large impact on their
ecosystem relative to
their abundance. They
can be dominant
predators, or they can
significantly alter the
habitat around them.
Doubts