MODULE 7: ECOSYSTEMS ON EARTH
I. INTRODUCTION
All living things depend on one other and their surroundings. No living organisms may
survive on their own without the assistance of other living things or their surroundings. Two
significant links seen in nature are those of interaction and dependency. The area of biology
known as ecology is dedicated to the investigation of these connections of communication and
reliance between living organisms and their surroundings. The ecosystem is the region in
which organisms interact with one another and their surroundings. Relationships between
species influence the environment.
An ecosystem is a structural and functional unit of ecology where the living organisms
interact with each other and the surrounding environment. In other words, an ecosystem is a
chain of interactions between organisms and their environment. The term “Ecosystem” was
first coined by Arthur G. Tansley, an English botanist, in 1935.
A. OBJECTIVES
a. Discuss the different types of Ecosystems on Earth
b. Expound the flow of energy and the flow of matter in ecosystems
c. Value the importance of ecosystems on Earth
B. LESSON OUTLINE
CHAPTER VII. Ecosystems on Earth
a. Structure and Function of Ecosystem
b. Aquatic Ecosystems
c. Terrestrial Ecosystems
d. Flow of Energy and Matter in Ecosystems
II. PRE-COMPETENCY CHECKLIST
DIRECTION: Read the statement carefully and choose the word from the given
choices which best describes by each item.
Niche Predation Parasitism Community
Habitat Commensalism Population
Symbiosis Mutualism Competition
1. All population living and interacting in an area _____________________.
2. A group of organisms of similar species that live in a characterized territory area form
a _____________________.
3. The place or type of environment in which an organism or population lives is called
_____________________.
4. The capacity of a life form or the role it plays in the habitat is known as ecological
_____________________.
5. Interaction between two organisms of various species in which at any rate benefits is
called _____________________.
6. _____________________ is a harmonious relationship wherein two life forms benefit.
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7. The symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits and the other is unaffected
is called _____________________.
8. _____________________ is a symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits,
while the other is harmed.
9. The feeding of one organism on another is called _____________________. Life forms
that feed on the other living creature are called predators, while prey refers to life forms
eaten by a predator.
10. An environment can't fulfill all the requirements of its individuals so creatures must
battle with each other to survive. This sort of interaction when two species utilize a
similar limited resource is called _____________________
III. LEARNING RESOURCES
Necessary details for discussion were included in the module. Following are
supplementary resources available which you might access to gain further understanding of
the topic.
Online sources:
1. https://www.earthreminder.com/types-of-ecosystems/
2. https://byjus.com/biology/ecosystem/
IV. EXPLORE
Lesson 7.1: Structure and Functions of Ecosystem
Structure of the Ecosystem
The structure of an ecosystem is characterized by the organization of both biotic and
abiotic components. This includes the distribution of energy in our environment. It also
includes the climatic conditions prevailing in that particular environment.
BIOTIC COMPONENTS
Biotic components refer to all living components in an ecosystem. Based on nutrition,
biotic components can be categorized into autotrophs, heterotrophs and saprotrophs (or
decomposers).
• Producers include all autotrophs such as plants. They are called autotrophs as they
can produce food through the process of photosynthesis. Consequently, all other
organisms higher up on the food chain rely on producers for food.
• Consumers or heterotrophs are organisms that depend on other organisms for food.
Consumers are further classified into primary consumers, secondary consumers and
tertiary consumers.
▪ Primary consumers are always herbivores as they rely on producers for food.
▪ Secondary consumers depend on primary consumers for energy. They can
either be carnivores or omnivores.
▪ Tertiary consumers are organisms that depend on secondary consumers for
food. Tertiary consumers can also be carnivores or omnivores.
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▪ Quaternary consumers are present in some food chains. These organisms’
prey on tertiary consumers for energy. Furthermore, they are usually at the top
of a food chain as they have no natural predators.
• Decomposers include saprophytes such as fungi and bacteria. They directly thrive on
the dead and decaying organic matter. Decomposers are essential for the ecosystem
as they help in recycling nutrients to be reused by plants.
ABIOTIC COMPONENTS
An abiotic component is a non-living part of an ecosystem that shapes its environment.
In a terrestrial ecosystem, examples might include temperature, light, and water. In a marine
ecosystem, abiotic components would include salinity and ocean currents. Abiotic and biotic
factors work together to create a unique ecosystem.
FUNCTIONS OF ECOSYSTEM
The functions of the ecosystem are as follows:
1. It regulates the essential ecological processes, supports life systems and renders
stability.
2. It is also responsible for the cycling of nutrients between biotic and abiotic components.
3. It maintains a balance among the various trophic levels in the ecosystem.
4. It cycles the minerals through the biosphere.
5. The abiotic components help in the synthesis of organic components that involve the
exchange of energy.
The functional units of an ecosystem or functional components that work together in an
ecosystem are:
• Productivity – It refers to the rate of biomass production.
• Energy flow – It is the sequential process through which energy flows from one
trophic level to another. The energy captured from the sun flows from producers to
consumers and then to decomposers and finally back to the environment.
• Decomposition – It is the process of breakdown of dead organic material. The top-
soil is the major site for decomposition.
• Nutrient cycling – In ecosystem nutrients are consumed and recycled back in
various forms for the utilization by various organisms.
Lesson 7.2: Flow Of Energy and Matter in Ecosystems
ENERGY FLOW
The chemical energy of food is the main source of energy required by all living
organisms. This energy is transmitted to different trophic levels along the food chain. This
energy flow is based on two different laws of thermodynamics:
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• First law of thermodynamics, that states that energy can neither be created nor
destroyed, it can only change from one form to another.
• Second law of thermodynamics, that states that as energy is transferred more and more
of it is wasted.
Energy flow in ecosystem refers to the transfer and consumption of energy that takes place
within a food chain. An ecosystem is a web of relationships that connects a given area's living
and non-living elements. Nutrient cycles and energy flow in ecosystem bind the biotic and
abiotic components together. The flow of energy is an important aspect within ecosystems and
defines the relationships of a number of organisms.
➢ FOOD CHAIN
✓ A food chain is a series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating and
being eaten.
➢ FOOD WEB
✓ A food web paints a more complex picture of the ecosystem. It shows all the
interrelated food chains within an ecosystem. Food webs are more realistic about
what actually takes place in nature because most organisms rely on more than just
one food source. For example, a food web may show that a certain plant is a source
of matter and energy for two or three consumers, who are themselves the source of
matter and energy for several other consumers.
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DIRECTION OF ENERGY FLOW
• Energy flow in a unidirectional manner in an ecosystem.
• This is because the energy that is lost during energy flow cannot be reused in other
stages of energy flow.
• Energy flows from producers to primary consumers to secondary consumers and finally
to tertiary consumers.
• Moreover, at each stage of energy transfer, a certain amount of energy is lost.
TROPHIC LEVEL OF ENERGY FLOW
A trophic level, also known as a feeding level, consists of numerous producers and
consumers forming several layers. The following is the hierarchy of trophic levels of energy
flow in ecosystem.
• Producers constitute the first level
• Herbivores constitute the second level
• Primary carnivores include the third level
• Top carnivores constitute the top level
What is the 10% energy law?
The 10% law of energy flow in ecosystem states that when energy is transferred from
one trophic level to another, only 10% of it is transferred to the next trophic level. Energy always
flow unidirectionally in an ecosystem and a major portion of it is lost at every stage.
Only a small proportion of biomass (around 10%) is passed onto the next trophic level, which
reduces the total biomass after only a few stages in the food chain. This is why food chains
rarely exceed four or five trophic levels. Biomass is lost at each stage in the following ways:
• Used for respiration to generate energy for processes such as active transport and to
maintain body temperature
• Not all of the organism is eaten (i.e. the bones)
• Not all of the organism is digested - some will be excreted as faeces.
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SIGNIFICANCE OF ENERGY FLOW IN ECOSYSTEM
Energy flow in an ecosystem must persist for survival. All creatures rely on energy to
function and rely on their fellow beings in an ecosystem to derive that energy. Understand the
significance of energy flow from the points shared below.
• The ecosystem's essential existence depends on energy flow (which begins with solar
power or insolation) and materials recycling.
• The energy flow in an ecosystem is critical for maintaining ecological balance. There is
a need to maintain a constant and consistent amount of energy flow at each trophic
level for survival.
• Through energy flow, the ecosystem sustains itself and achieves stability. An
ecosystem will not function if there is no energy flow.
• A food web is a collection of interconnected food chains. The ecosystem or
environment's stability is maintained via the food web. The more alternate channels
there are, the more stable the community of living things becomes.
• The sun is the most powerful generator of energy. An ecosystem is a functional unit in
which energy is efficiently transferred between biotic and abiotic components.
Lesson 7.3: Aquatic Ecosystem
An aquatic ecosystem is an ecosystem in a body of water. Communities of organisms
that are dependent on each other and on their environment live in aquatic ecosystems. The
two main types of aquatic ecosystems are marine ecosystems and freshwater ecosystems.
Aquatic ecosystems support a wide range of organisms, including microorganisms,
invertebrates, insects, plants, and fish.
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MARINE ECOSYSTEM
The marine ecosystem is a vast and diverse ecosystem that covers over 70% of the
Earth’s surface. They encompass a wide range of habitats, from the sunlit surface waters to
the dark depths of the ocean floor. At their core, marine ecosystems are intricate networks of
living organisms, their physical environment, and the interactions between them. These
ecosystems are incredibly dynamic and are pivotal in shaping our planet. Understanding the
fundamentals of marine ecosystems is the first step in appreciating their significance and
working towards their conservation.
Marine ecosystems are incredibly diverse and can be categorized into several distinct types:
Coral Reefs
Coral reefs are vibrant underwater ecosystems formed by the accumulation of coral skeletons.
These reefs are biodiversity hotspots, teeming with colorful fish, mollusks, and other marine
life.
Mangrove Forests
Mangrove forests grow in coastal areas with salty water. Their tangled roots provide nurseries
for young fish and protect coastlines from erosion.
Seagrass Meadows
Seagrass meadows are underwater grasslands that provide important feeding and breeding
grounds for many marine species, including turtles and dugongs.
Kelp Forests
Kelp forests are found in cold, nutrient-rich waters and are characterized by towering kelp
plants. They provide shelter for a wide range of marine creatures.
Open Ocean
The open ocean, or pelagic zone, covers the vast expanse of deep water beyond the
continental shelves. It is home to pelagic fish, sharks, dolphins, and other marine species.
Deep Sea
The deep sea is a harsh environment with extreme pressure, cold temperatures, and perpetual
darkness. Despite these challenges, it supports a surprising array of life, including
bioluminescent creatures and giant tube worms.
Lesson 7.4: Terrestrial Ecosystem
An ecosystem is a collection of communities of both living and non-living things that
are interrelated. While many ecosystems exist on land and in the waters of the world, terrestrial
ecosystems are those that are found only on land.
Terrestrial ecosystems are large and hue. Therefore, these are divided into the biomes.
Biomes can be understood as the community of plants and animals that live in an area naturally
sharing the same common area.
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There are six primary terrestrial ecosystem that exist: tundra, taiga, temperate deciduous
forest, tropical rain forest, grassland and desert
Tundra is type of biome where the tree growth is hindered by low temperatures and short
growing seasons.
• Winters are long, dark, and freezing; summers are short and cool; the growing season
is only 50–60 days.
• Permafrost—a layer of permanently frozen soil—prevents deep root growth.
Taiga is a forest biome consisting mostly of cone-bearing evergreen trees. The taiga biome
exists only in the northern hemisphere. It occupies more space on Earth’s continents than
any other biome.
• Winters are long, cold, and snowy. Summers are short, warm, and moist.
• Soil is thin and acidic.
Temperate deciduous forests grow in temperate regions where winter and summer
climates have more variation than those in temperate rain forests. These forests are the
most common forest ecosystems in the United States. They contain mostly deciduous
trees, which lose their leaves in the fall.
• Winter temperatures are often below freezing. Snow is common.
• Summers are hot and humid.
• Soil is rich in nutrients and supports a large amount of diverse plant growth.
Tropical Rain Forest the forests that grow near the equator are called tropical rain forests.
These forests receive large amounts of rain and have dense growths of tall, leafy trees.
• Weather is warm and wet year-round.
• The soil is shallow and easily washed away by rain.
• Less than 1 percent of the sunlight that reaches the top of forest trees also reaches the
forest floor.
• Half of Earth’s species live in tropical rain forests. Most live in the canopy—the
uppermost part of the forest.
Grassland biomes are areas where grasses are the dominant plants. Also called prairies,
savannas, and meadows, grasslands are the world’s “breadbaskets.” Wheat, corn, oats,
rye, barley, and other important cereal crops are grasses. They grow well in these areas.
• Grasslands have a wet and a dry season.
• Deep, fertile soil supports plant growth.
• Grass roots form a thick mass, called sod, which helps soil absorb and hold water
during periods of drought.
Deserts are biomes that receive very little rain. They are on nearly every continent and are
Earth’s driest ecosystems.
• Most deserts are hot during the day and cold at night. Others, like those in Antarctica,
remain cold all of the time.
• Rainwater drains away quickly because of thin, porous soil. Large patches of ground
are bare.
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V. DISCUSSION BOARD
Briefly answer the following questions:
1. What is the structure and function of ecosystems?
2. What is the role of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in the cycling of matter and
the flow of energy through the ecosystem?
3. How would removing a species from a food web affect the remaining organisms in the
food web?
4. Why are autotrophs on the bottom of the energy pyramid?
5. Explain why energy decreases as you move up trophic levels.
VI. POST-COMPETENCY CHECKLIST
DIRECTION: Base from what you have learned in the lesson Earth’s Ecosystem, in 1/8
illustration board craft a Collage to visually represent the interconnectedness and diversity of
Earth's ecosystems. Think and be creative on how you want to arrange the various
components and what message or story you want your collage to convey.
RUBRICS:
CATEGORY 25% 20% 15% 10%
Creativity All of the graphics Most of the Only a few None of the
or objects used in graphics or graphics or graphics or
the collage reflect objects used in objects reflect objects reflects
a degree of the collage reflect student creativity, student creativity.
student creativity student creativity but the ideas
in their display. in their display. were typical
rather than
creative.
Design Graphics are cut 1-2 graphics are 3-4 graphics are Graphics are not
to an appropriate lacking in design lacking in design an appropriate
size, shape and or placement. or placement. size shape. Glue
are arranged There may be a Too much marks evident.
neatly. Care has few smudges or background is Most of the
been taken to glue marks. showing. There background is
balance the are noticeable showing. It
pictures across smudges or glue appears little
the area. Items marks. attention was
are glued neatly given to
and securely. designing the
collage.
Attention to The student gives The student gives The student gives The student's
Theme a reasonable a reasonable a fairly explanations are
explanation of explanation of reasonable weak and
how every item in how most items explanation of illustrate difficulty
the collage is in the collage are how most items understanding
related to the related to the in the collage are how to relate
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assigned theme. assigned theme. related to the items to the
For most items, For many of the assigned theme. assigned theme.
the relationship is
items, the
clear withoutrelationship is
explanation. clear without
explanation.
Visual Impact Overall visual Overall visual Overall visual Overall visual
impact is very impact is impact is impact is limited
effective. effective. somewhat effective.
effective.
TOTAL 100%
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