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CHAPTER 8

DYNAMIC
ECOSYSTEM

Learning objectives
1.

Understanding the abiotic and biotic


components of the environment

Learning outcomes
Identify the abiotic and biotic
components of an ecosystem
2. Classify biotic components into
trophic levels
3. Explain the interactions between
biotic components in relation to
feeding
4. Explain the interaction between
biotic components in relation to
competition
1.

What is ecosystem?
An

ecosystem is a system formed


by the interaction of living organisms
with one another & with their
environment.
Ecology = the scientific study of the
interactions of living organisms with
other living organisms & with the
physical environment.

Ecosytem of pond

Ecosystem of grassland

Ecosystem of sea

Ecosystem of forest

Our

environment consist of:


1. Living organisms - biotic
components
2. Non-living organisms abiotic
components
.

In any ecosystem, abiotic


components determine the
population size and distribution of
the biotic components

1. pH value
Most organisms can survive well in
a neutral
or nearly neutral environment
Aquatic organisms are sensitive to
the
effects of the pH of water
Certain plants prefer acidic soilpineapple
Certain plants prefer alkaline soil

2. Light intensity
The

varying intensities of sunlight in


a forest result in the growth of
different types of plants
Tall trees-exposed to high intensity of
sunlight
Ferns & vines- survive under the
cover of shady trees
Mosses,earthworm,ant low light
intensity of sunlight

3. Temperature
Most

living organisms can only


tolerate a narrow range of
temperature ( 0-45 C)
Termophilic bacteria can survive in
hot spring-extreme temperature

4. Humidity ( amount of
water vapour in the air)
The

humidity of air affects the rate of


water loss by plants & animals
Humidity low-water evaporates from
the moist surfaces at a faster rate
Humidity higher at night, lower
during the day
Snakes, frogs,mosses-prefer humid
area

5. Topography ( bentuk muka


bumi)
Is

the physical features of the land


which concern the altitude,
gradient & aspect of a region.
It influences the humidity,
temperature & light intensity of an
ecosystem
Altitude-higher altitude is
associated with lower atmospheric
pressure & temperature .
So,differents plants grow at

Gradient-steep

slopes result in
rapid drainage & run-off. So, the soil
layer is thinner & drier- not a suitable
habitat for organisms
Aspect-the slopes of mountains
facing the direction of wind receive
more rain than the slopes shaded
from the wind.

6. Microclimate ( climate in a
microhabitat)
Includes

the humidity, temperature,


light intensity & atmospheric
conditions in which the organism
lives

The biotic components


Producer

Food chain
A

sequence of organisms through


which energy is transferred
Starts with a producers & ends with
a top consumers
Each organism is the food of the next
organism in the chain
Each stage in a food chain is known
as a trophic level

Food web

Energy flow in the food


web

Interaction between biotic


components in relation to feeding

1. Symbiosis
A

close relationship between 2 or


more different species which live
closely together & interact with each
other
Can be classified into 3 categories:
a) Commensalism
b) Mutualism
c) Parasitism

a. Commensalism
One species (comensal)
benefits while the other
( the host) neither drives
any benefits nor is harmed
Example: clown fish & sea
anemones, epiphytes
(pigeon orchids),staghon
fern,birds nest
fern,Pleurococcus
sp.,money plant, remora
fish & shark, Protozoa &
Cyclops sp., barnacles &
crabs/snail.

b. Mutualism
Relationship
between 2 species
of organisms in
which both benefit
Example: lichen
(alga n fungus),
hermit crabs & sea
anemones,
Rhizobium sp.
Bacteria & legume
plant.

c. Parasitism
Relationship between
2 organism in which
one organism(the
parasites) benefits and
other ( the host ) is
harmed.
Example:
ectoparasites
(fleas,lice,barnacles,ap
hids) & endoparasites
(tapeworm,Rafflesia
sp.)

2. Saprophytism
Living organisms
obtain food from
the dead &
decaying matter
Example:
saprophytic
bacteria & fungi
( Mucor sp.),
mushrooms,bracke
t fungus

3. Prey- predator
Relationship where
an organsim which
is smaller, called
prey, is hunted &
eaten by a
stronger animal,
the predator
Predator usually
has long canine
teeth & sharp
claws to hold &kill

Interaction between biotic


components in relation to competition
Competition=interaction

between
organisms living together in a
habitat & competing for the same
resources that are in limited supply
1 species is more successful than the
other
Species which are stronger & have
better adaptation are successful
species
Species which are weak will either

2 types of competition:
Intraspecific
competition

Competition
between
individuals of the
same species
Example:
Brophyllum sp.

Interspecific
competition
Competition
between individuals
of different species
Example:
Paramecium aurelia
& Paramecium
caudatum

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