ECOSYSTEM

UNIT II

Ms.PREETI MISHRA

What is ecosystem

The components of environment living and non-living organisms interact and function together as a unit called ECOSYSTEM
Components of environment

Living
Plants and animals

non-living
Atmosphere, water, mountain And other physical components

Types of ecosystem

Pond, Lake, River, Ocean Ecosystems. Forest ecosystem Desert ecosystem.

For survival of life, both living organisms and its environment influence each other in any ecosystem.

Biotic and Abiotic factors

Living environment is called biotic environment. Non living environment is called Abiotic environment.

Ecology

Ecology: the scientific study of the interactions of living organisms with other living organisms and with the physical environment. Environment = Biotic components + Abiotic components. Biotic components: Living organisms Abiotic components: Nonliving components.

Structure of an Ecosystem

The structure of an ecosystem include Biotic factor Abiotic factor

Abiotic Components
pH value: pH of the soil and water. Most organisms survive well in neutral or nearly neutral environment Light intensity: affects the distribution and growth of plants and animals Temperature: most living organisms can only tolerate a narrow range of temperature (0oC to 45oC): exceptional to certain species, example: thermopile bacteria that can survive in hot springs.

Abiotic Components
Humidity: amount of water vapour present in the air. Humidity affects the rate of water loss by plants and animals Topography: physical features of land. Topographic factors are altitude, gradient and aspect

Topographic Factors

Altitude: Higher altitude associates with lower atmospheric pressure and temperature. Different plants grow at different altitudes. Gradient : The steepness of a slope. Steep slopes result in rapid drainage and run off. Aspect: associated with the direction of the wind. The slopes of a mountain facing the direction of the wind received more rain. Microclimate: climate of a microhabitat. Microclimate includes the humidity, temperature, light intensity and atmospheric conditions

Biotic Components

PRODUCER (green plants)

CONSUMER primary consumer, secondary consumer, tertiary consumer DECOMPOSER (bacteria and fungi).

Producers

It includes green plant, herbs, shrubs, and small green organisms living in water. With the help of chlorophyll a green pigment, produce there own food by taking solar energy or light and carbon dioxide from atmosphere, water and mineral etc. Producers convert solar energy into chemical energy inside the body with the help of inorganic substances such as water, Co2, and enzymes.

Consumers

The animals including human beings constitute the consumers. Three category of consumers Herbivores:- eating plants Carnivores:- eating animals Omnivores:- eating both

Decomposers

Some organisms such as bacteria or fungi which depends upon the dead organic matters for their food are called the Decomposers. These decomposers break down the complex organic matters present in dead animals and plants into simpler substances and release them for the use of the producers.

Biosphere

It is the largest biological system. It consist of smaller functional unit called ECOSYSTEM. There is a interaction between organisms who may be his family member or other form of species. He also interact with the environment which give him energy and matter. He gets food from animals and plants and also he make use of soil, water and air. ECOSYSTEM= eco + system ,where eco means environment and system means a set of interacting and interdependent between living and non-living components.

Definition of Ecosystem

Acc. To Tanslay :- it is the system of resulting from the interaction of living and non-living components of the environment . It has both structure and function . The structure is related to the species and diversity and function is related to the flow of energy and cycling of material through the structure components.

Feature of Ecosystem

Ecosystem represents sum of all living organisms and non-living components. Ecosystem is composed of three basic components; energy, biotic and abiotic (habitat) There are the complex set of interaction between biotic and abiotic components on the one hand and between the organisms on the other hand. It is an open system where continuously in and out of energy and matter is taken place.

Feature of Ecosystem

It should be in stabilized form unless there is a disturbance of one or more limiting factor. It is powered by various forms of energy. It is the functional unit where biotic and abiotic components are interacting with each other through cyclic mechanisms. Such as energy flow cycle, water cycle, mineral cycle, sediment cycle etc. Ecosystem has its own productivity which is the process of building organic matter based on availability and the amount of energy passing through the ecosystem.

Types of ecosystem
ECOSYSTEM

NATURAL

ARTIFICIAL crop land, garden ,park, kitchen garden AQUATIC (water)

TERESTRIAL
Grass land, forest and desert

LENTIC (Stagnant water) lake pond

LOTIC
(flowing water) river, ocean

Abiotic components

Inorganic substances or nutrient:- cabondioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, water and soil (minerals). Organic substances :- such as proteins, carbohydrates, fats etc. it link abiotic components with biotic components. Climatic factor :Atmospheric (such as temperature, light, wind, rainfall etc) Edapic :- (pertaining to soil)

Biotic components

Autotrophic / Producers Heterotrophic / consumers Herbivores Carnivores Omnivores Decomposers or saprotrops

Functions of an Ecosystem ( interaction b/w Biotic And Abiotic components)

Producers (green plant) fix radiant energy (solar energy) with the help of mineral (C,H2,N2,P,Fe etc) that is taken from the edapic (soil) or Arial environment (nutrient pool) , they built up the complex organic matter (carbohydrates, protein and nucleic acid etc) these are their food so, with the help of solar energy they convert the chemical energy of the food to kinetic energy and finally heat energy.

Functions of an Ecosystem

The animals (consumers) eat up the plants and other animals as food so, the energy is transferred to food to animals. When the plants and animals die, then decomposers (like certain bacteria and fungi) act on their dead bodies and decompose them into simple material like carbon dioxide, water and minerals, which go back to the air and soils from where they come from.

Functions of an Ecosystem

The co2 from air, water and minerals from water bodies and soil are again taken up by the green plants along with the solar energy to make their food and the above process is repeated again and again. This leads to continuous functioning of Ecosystem.

Energy flow through the Ecosystem

The transfer of energy and matters take place in the process of predators and pray relationship in a food chain. The major source of energy is the sun. Out of total energy from the sun only 10% of the energy is received and the rest is reflected and refracted by atmosphere, earth surface and object like plant. only 1%of total energy received by the plant is used in the process of photosynthesis.

Energy flow through the Ecosystem

The energy from the sun enters the living components through the green plants. Energy from the organic compound (food) produced by plant is partly utilized by the plant for their metabolism activities like respiration and growth and tissue building. Major proportion of heat is not utilized and it release in the form of heat.

Energy flow through the Ecosystem

Producers (plants) consumed by herbivores (chemical energy stored in plants is transferred to the animals). Some portion of energy is utilized in metabolism activities such as metabolism tissue respiration, and growth. Major portion of this energy is wastage in the form of heat by herbivorous.

Energy flow through the Ecosystem

Her. Is consumed by the carnivorous, here the transfer of energy in the form of food take place. only some portion of the energy is utilized in the metabolism and rest is released in the form of heat.

Energy flow through the Ecosystem

This process of transfer energy from one tropic level to the next in the food chain. the unutilized heat released by the living organism is collectively called community heat. The process in the transfer of energy in the food chain is called the energy flow . Only the 10%of the total energy is transfer to the next tropic level. so, there is gradual decline in the amount of energy transfer to the next tropic levels.

Energy flow through the Ecosystem

Therefore longer the food chain, lesser the energy available to the final level. Hence the food chain cannot have the more than the five/six levels. According to the above reason the herbivorous get more energy rich food than carnivorous.

Concept of Ecology

Ecosystem is the fundamental concept of ecology. it is the basic function of ecology. It include population, community which influence each other. the part of ecosystem is inseparable from the whole. A pond, a lake, forest etc. A most remarkable feature of an ecosystem is that it is capable of self maintenance, self regulation . An ecosystem is not a static system it is in a state of constant state of change and homeostasis. This change involve the change in structure, processes of living beings over time.

Concept of Ecology

Our country has a variety of an ecosystem Indo genetic plan high productivity potential area. Desert eco. have high temperature. Ladakh --- low temperature. Low rain fall area. High rain fall area. Mountains of Himalayas and nilgires. Delta and wetland.

Concept of Ecology

Human interventions sometime creates the unbalance in the ecosystem. Eg; deforestation, urbanization etc.

Selected concept of Ecology

Nutrient cycle habitat

Ecology concept
Food chain Limiting factor

community Biological clock

Carrying capacity

CYCLES
The circulation of chemical elements in biosphere from the environment to organisms and back to the environment . eg. water cycle, carbon cycle etc. Water cycle Sea water get evaporated and turned to laden sky it goes towards the hilly area and turned to the rain fall.

CYCLES
Carbon cycle Carbon is released into the atmosphere through the human activity, this co2 is used by the plant to manufacture their food and release o2. But due to the destruction of forest can have the effects of forest. human activity which include the release of co2 is Breathing Emission of co2 through industrial process. Deforestation

CYCLES

There is another aspect of cycle that is relates to the recycling of product to conserve the natural resources or decrease in pollution. Eg. Traditional batteries contain mercury and cadmium both that substances are toxic in nature should not allowed to dump as wastage. Duracell uses 50% of recycled material in their batteries. Varta was the first US company launched the mercury free batteries in england.

Community

A community is defined as any assemblage of population living in a habitat that has the characteristics in addition to its individual and population component. Diversity is the characteristics of community. In any community organisms of different species live together in a harmonious way and not as independent beings . There is an interdependent built into the concept of community. The changes brought into the envt. May disturb the community and lead to the end of certain species like Dinosaurs, red pandas etc.

Food Chain

In an ecosystem all the plants and animals depends on each other for their nutrient .the sun is the original source of energy in most of the ecosystem. Producers fulfill the need of carnivores it full the need of omnivores and in this way energy is transferred from one level to the next level of chain Only the 10% of the total energy is transferred to the next tropic level. because of that the length of food chain is short in length.

Types of food chain.

Grazing or predators food chain. Parasitic food chain Saprophytic or detritus food chain.

Grazing or predators food chain

Grass Grass hopper

Lizard

Hawk

This food chain starts from the green plants herbivores primary consumer and ends with the carnivore (secondary and tertiary c.)

Grazing or predators food chain

The total energy assimilated by the green plants is subjected to three important process : It may oxidized in respiration. It may die and decay. It may be eaten by herbivore.

Grazing or predators food chain

Thus the grazing food chain is more effective or efficient as most of the primary energy is passed on through the different tropic levels and only the small fraction goes to the decomposers. The ecosystem having this type of food chain is directly dependent on solar radiations.

Parasitic food chain

This food chain starts from herbivores but food energy is passes from larger organisms to smaller organisms without killing them. Larger consider host organisms. And smaller consider the parasite which fulfill their requirement from host organisms.
Grass Fungi / bacteria cow Lice's, bugs

Saprophytic or detritus food chain

In this food chain the dead organic matters or organic waste ( metabolic waste and extrudates) of ecosystem go to the microbes and finally detritus feeding organisms known as detrivore . This type of food chain is less efficient as the major portion of energy in the ecosystem without being properly utilized.

Saprophytic or detritus food chain

In another words we can say that this type of food chain is starts from dead organic matters acted upon by decomposers, in turn are eaten by detrivores which are further eaten by decomposers, which in turn are eaten by detrivores which are further eaten by consumers.

Saprophytic or detritus food chain

Ecosystem having this type of food chain are not directly depends on the solar radiations. Most common type food chain is :
Decomposers fish

Freshly fallen litter in lakes

Saprobes

Detrivores

Game fish

Carrying Capacity

Ecosystem has limits in terms of various population it can support. Every organisms has sustain need that the community must provided in terms in order for its survival. however if any population get too large than it become overloaded to the ecosystem and it cannot meet its needs; just as human population in any particular area is overloaded than the carrying capacity of that environment get exhausted it leading to adverse effects. The same concept is applicable to air and water kinds of ecosystem.

Limiting Factor

Organisms depend upon their existence in a complex set of factors. Any factor that it is in short supply or excess supply is the limiting factor. Factor such as temperature, water and light in greater amount that required can inhibit organisms dependent. The organisms with a wide range of tolerance for essential factors are likely to be more successful and widely distributed while others are not so, Most important type of limiting factors are those which are critical to the development of organisms, population and community.

Limiting Factor

Focusing on these factor gives a better chance of predicting the environmental of proposed environmental alterations.

HABITAT

The air, water, land are the habitats these are also called as aerial, aquatic and terrestrial each factor play a vital role in controlling the environment and maintaining the balance between earth and atmosphere. habitat keep on changing either through natural calamities like cyclones, trough and human interventions clearing of forest ,increasing pollution etc. this changes causes destruction of animals and plant life. After the disturbance has stopped in habitat, plant and animal life start establishing there.

Biological Clock

It is the system which control the rhythms in living organisms including humans by measuring time through an internal mechanisms (internal clock) Eg. Migration of the bird from the cold region (Siberia) to the hot region is controlled by the biological clock. In the human beings, the enzymes called melatonin secreted by pineal gland situated in the brain regulates the internal clock which declare the hunger, thirst, fever etc. This is important to understand the change in environment or external conditions if it is not so then it affects the organisms existence or behavior.

Industrial Ecology and Recycling Industrial.

The word ecology is the Greek word oikos which means the house. It is the study of organisms in various habitat. It is the study of natures and its functions. It is the study of interaction between The individual organisms. Population (same species) Community (no. of populations)

Industrial Ecology

It is the process of developing industrial production methods which should have considerably less impact on the environment. Two experts Froech and Gallopoulas observed that taking lesson from the natural ecosystem it is possible to develop an eco friendly production method which is very much necessary in the present scenario.

Industrial Ecology

The usual production method prevalent is as given in the diagram.

RAW MATERIAL PROCESS

SELLING THE PRODUCT

PRODUCT

WASTE DISPOSAL

BECOMES RAW MATERAIL

Industrial Ecology

Above integrated model is called industrial ecosystem which would function as analogues to biological ecosystem. In fact, an ideal industrial ecosystem may never be attained in practice. But both the manufacturers and consumers must change their practices to approach it more closely to biological ecosystem industrial ecology is based on Minimization of raw material useless waste production & optimization of energy.

Industrial Ecology and recycling industries

Examples:The slag produced by the steel plant was dumped in a separate area covering a large space unnecessarily. The TATA steel dump their slug near the bank of Swarnrekha river while crossing the mango bridge. The recent practice by the Bokaro Steel plant is to have a slug granulation plant where the Hot slug is used for making small granules by spraying cold water on it. These granules of slug are used in a cement industries.

Industrial Ecology and recycling industries

Fly ash deposit of thermal power stations is used for making carbon bricks by using technology. These bricks are used for construction purpose. The close loop manufacturing system which is operational aspect of industrial ecology must adopted for sustainability. Industrial ecology is focuses on the role of industry in reducing environmental impact & the source burden through the life cycle of the product starting from excavation of raw materials, use of the product & management of wastes.

Industrial Ecology and recycling industries

Industrial ecology is a system that integrates profitability with social and environmental responsibility. The worlds largest carpet manufacturing company like interface claims that the selenium used by them for manufacturing carpets and other flooring material are very easily to clean & fungus do not grow on selenium used by them for manufacturing and other manufacturing carpets and other flooring material are very easy to clean &maintain fungus free unlike the ordinary one. It also helps to reduce the land fill wastage.

Industrial Ecology and recycling industries

Interface as an exemplary venture, has recently started a factory without using fossil fuels for energy because the factory is run by the solar power energy. DuPont gets the most of the polyester film book from the customers after use and recycle it into new films.

Conclusion

Industrial ecology not only conserves the resources, prevents damage to their environment but also is a successful business strategy. conservation, recycling & preventing environmental damage are the important factor to maintain the balance in the ecosystem.

Environmental management system standards

History 1st environmental standard was formulated as a British Standard (BS-7750) for environmental standard system. BS subsequently withdraw when ISO14000 was recognized as an European Standard by European Committee for Standardization. ISO was originally established by a group of nations to facilitates international trade.

Environmental management system standards

ISO series was approved by European Commission through recommendation of CEN (Committee European De Normalization) which is standardized body of European Union.

Environmental management system standards

What is ISO14000?

Many companies are now familiar with the quality system standards ISO9000 series of international standards.

The ISO14000 series of international standards have been developed for integrating environmental aspects (those elements of an organizational activities that can interact with the environment ) into operation and product standards.
The international committee CEN finalized the ISO14001 standards for environmental system in September 1996 in similar manner as ISO9001.

Environmental management system standards

ISO14001 requires implementation of an EMS that combines with the internationally recognized set of standards.

ISO14001 specification and guidelines for EMI

It formulates and defined environmental policy. Determining environmental aspects and impacts of products / activities and services to the environmental. Planning environmental objectives and measurable targets . Implementation &operations of programs to meet objective and targets. Checking and corrective action. Management review.

What does ISO14001 requires?

ISO14001 is the quality mainly dealing with envt issues which affecting the nations and the world resources and living standards. ISO14000 has been impart a life cycle analysis approaches to give commitment by manufacturers for various environmental and ecological parameter. Such as: Composition of material. Recycling and disposal practices. New methods for achieving environmental goal.

What does ISO14001 requires?

There are the five components of ISO14001 they are:Environmental policy. Planning Implementation Monitoring and evaluation. Review.

Environmental policy.

It must be sound reflecting the commitment of management in matters relating to environmental issues. It must be in documents form and signed by top authority and available to concerned employees and external parties. It should have the following characteristics:Policy must be cleared about commitment for continued improvement of EMS.

Environmental policy.

The policy must be realistic considering the constraints and resources of the company including the organizations impact on the environment. The policy should be emphasize on life cycle analysis, resources conservation, waste reduction and product designing that leads to sustainable development. The policy should conform to the laws ,rules and regulation and must make the statement with regards to compliance.

Planning

The planning of EMS should be written form considering the process, resources, responsibility, skills, authority and coordination. The plan include environmental aspects and impact ,no matters if the same thing is reflected in policy also. When the work involves the handling of hazardous materials or any other procedure requiring safety measures, it has to be carefully return in planned documents.

Implementation

There is a need of commitment from all the employees for successful implementation of EMS. There must be change in the mind setup and attitude to introduce environmental culture in the organizations instead of the old traditional management culture. The awareness regarding environmental problems amongst the staff is necessary. Special environmental training of the personal involved in EMS is required for the benefit of organization and its effective implementation.

Implementation

For effective implementation of EMS in the organization it is necessary to have proper management of humans, financial and natural resources, motivation for action, clear and well defined responsibilities, communication, operational control, proper documentation and records etc.

Monitoring and evaluation.

A suitable mechanisms for measuring performance and evaluation of EMS is necessary and it requires a process, which must be an ongoing process to identify environmental performance indicator that are verifiable. For regular monitoring, the organization must established a system and a procedure for compliance and conformance with laws rules and regulations.

Monitoring and evaluation.

Periodic audit of EMS for conformance to all above regulations are conducted by internal auditors who are trained and assigned for the job. When the internal audit is found satisfactory, the external qualified auditors are called for final audit and award of certifications.

Review

A continue improvement of environmental performance is done at review stage. Review is highly necessary as it under takes an in-depth of all the issues of environmental concern. the following issues are discuss in the process of review. Sustainability of environmental policy. Audit report recommendations. New regulations if any. Public awareness and pressure.

Who are the organizations for adopting ISO14000

It is applicable to any organizations of any size that is interested to maintain and implements EMS . Be sure for conforming stated environmental policy. Obtain certification /registrations of EMS.

Certification bodies

The certification body are accredited by an accreditation body setup by the government of each country. The accreditation body follow the strict norms and controls the activities of certification body. For the new company willing to enroll for certifications, the following aspects are checked by the certification body:The company has EMS, which is operational at least for three months. Possibility of internal auditing in the company. Availability of trained staff. Maintaining of documents. Review of management has conducted.

What is the benefits of being registered to ISO14000?

Some of the benefits of implementing an environmental management system (EMS) in accordance with the ISO14000 standards include; Identifying areas for reduction in energy and other resources consumption and their associated cost. Reducing environmental liabilities and risks. Helping to maintain consistent compliance with legal regulatory requirements. Potentially faster permitting process with state agencies.

What is the benefits of being registered to ISO14000?

Benefiting from regulatory initiatives that rewards companies, showing environmental leadership through certified compliance with environmental excellence. Preventing pollution and reducing wastages, both of which reduce cost. Responding in a positive fashion to pressure from a customer and shareholders. Improving community goodwill. Profiting in the market for green product . Generally achieving a market advantages.

What is the benefits of being registered to ISO14000?

Lower insurance cost by demonstrating proof of good management before pollution incident coverage is issued. Demonstrating commitment to high quality.

Other standards in ISO14000 series.

ISO 14000:- general guidelines on principles of EMS. ISO14001:-specification and guidance for EMS ISO14010:- general principles of auditing. ISO14020:- qualifications for auditors. ISO1421:- self declarations environmental claims. ISO1431:- guidelines for environmental performance evaluation.

Other standards in ISO14000 series

ISO14040:- life cycle assessment. ISO14050:- terms and definitions. ISO14060:- guide for inclusion for environmental aspects in product standards.