Systematic study of interrelations among living organisms with the physical world is called ecology. While ecosystem is a system of interrelations between living and non-living things. In this article, “Understanding Ecology and ecosystem”
Ecology is a systematic study of various relationships that species share with other organisms and their physical settings.
Compare to ecosystem, ecology covers vast domain of subject matter regarding various interactions between biotic and abiotic world.
Our biotic world has many secrets to share with mankind regarding theirs patterns of interactions, interdependence, and behaviours.
Ecosystem reveals the delicate patterns of interdependence among different species and theirs with physical world for mutual existence. On the other hand, ecology rules the domain of natural relations.
Introduction to ecology — Role, importance and examples
Technically speaking, ecology is an offshoot of biology that deals with how organisms interact with others in their physical setting.
Ecological investigation explore why and how the organism in question depends on other organisms as well as physical abiotic things like, water, soil, air, light, etc.for his very survival.
Understanding relationships among living organisms
Let’s take an example of leopard. It is a top carnivore animal usually occurs in grassland ecosystem. For survival, leopard needs a rich pray base, including herbivores species like, deer, boar, zebras, monkeys, etc.
Generally, leopard doesn’t go for hunting daily but once in a week. In summar season, leopard needs adequate water nearby as he can’t bear hot weather for longer. Most of the time, leopard used to relax in safe zone-on trees.
Like tiger, leopard is an ambush predator. So, during night vision, it targets its prays.
By the ecological perspective, in respect to above example, researchers try to explore the habits, behaviour, daily patterns.
The main context of study is why and how it acts the way it acts. When and how much water, nutrition, light does it requires. Why does leopard hides its pray on the tree, etc.
Ecological peak and trough–impact of abiotic factors
In the peak season, the numbers and size of herds, especially deers and antelopes increases. It is due to lush green grass. But, the erosion begins with the beginning of lean season.
Similarly, it happens with other flesh eating carnivores such as wild dogs, hyenas, and panthers. In the lean season, they can be observable. But, in peak, they do not come out.
In short, let it be the growth and decline of grasses and plants, and its effects on deers, antelopes etc. Similarly, the numbers of flesh eating carnivores fluctuates in the line of herbivores.
The total processes including photosynthesis to decomposition, and theirs systematic understanding is termed as “Ecology”. And, it includes entire biosphere.
Ecosystem — nature, characteristics, and role
Ecosystem is a system of established ecological interactions and interdependence in a particular area.
Simply put, ecosystem means the system of interdependence among different organisms, including deers, antelopes, hyenas, panthers etc. For, survival, how one organism depends on other in a particular habitat.
There can be numerous ecosystems in a large area like grassland ecosystem, estuarine ecosystem, marine ecosystem etc.
Difference between Ecology and ecosystem
An ecosystem is a system of interdependence among different organisms within a particular area.
In such system, organisms create a type of interlinked net by the means of food chain, habits, procreation, etc. The all types of interdependence we call it ecosystem.
Whereas, ecology is a careful study of all interactions and process of all living organisms in all the ecosystems.
One is all about the structure of interdependence, while other explores relationships of such system.
Simply, we need how and why while answering the meaning of ecology. On the other hand, ecosystem needs what and how.
Food chain and trophic level relations with Ecology and ecosystem
Food chain is a chain of interdependent organisms of different species ecologically linked with one another. Whereas, trophic level is a strata of identical organisms in food chain based on source of food. Both food chain and trophic levels are inseparable parts of ecological ecosystem.
Description and meaning of ecosystems
Ecosystem is a natural systematic interacting relationship of different organisms belonging diverse species with theirs physical setting. Such ecosystems are made up of various food chains, food webs, and trophic levels for mutual survival.
Ecologically, on the basis of physical settings, mode of consumption, and biological characteristics ecosystems are classified in different ways like marine ecosystem, grassland ecosystem, estuarian ecosystem, etc.
What does ecological pyramid mean?
Ecological pyramid is an imaginary graphical representation of vertical flow of energy from lower to higher trophic levels in a ecosystem. It includes major types of trophic levels including herbivores, carnivores,and omnivorous species.
There are different types of ecological pyramids based on different ecosystems.
Meaning and functions of food chain and trophic levels
Before to understand the difference of food chain and trophic level, let’s know the meaning of both concepts in the details.
Meaning, examples, and types of food chain
Food chain is a sequential interdependent pattern or relationship of consumers and producers in the given ecosystem. In short, ecosystem is a totality of food chains that includes producers, consumers and decomposers.
In order to develop a food chain, adequate amount of energy should be transferred from one trophic level to another through ingestation by higher level.
If there are multiple food chains interacts with one another in the same ecosystem, it is called food web. To be a food web, more than one food chain should be there in a ecosystem.
Generally, there are two types of food chain mentioned in ecology – detritus and grazing food chain.
Description, types, and examples of trophic levels?
In ecological pyramid, we notice different stratas or layers in the graphic design. Such stratas represents groups of similar or identical class of organisms or species. They have similar characteristics in terms of food habits. These graphical horizontal stratas we label as trophic levels.
In simple terms, trophic level is a group or strata of similar or identical organisms having similar characteristics and nutritional requirements.
Following are the examples of major trophic levels usually We notice in ecological pyramid.
- Producers — basic strata
- Herbivores — first strata
- Consumers or carnivores — second strata
- Top carnivores — carnivores that eat other carnivores
- Omnivores — eat both herbivores and carnivores
These groups of different species form different forms of trophic levels as per theirs nutritional requirements.
Hence, every average food chain includes around five major trophic levels but also depends upon the richness of given ecosystem.
“Ecological efficiency” in trophic levels
Ecological efficiency is the ratio of energy transfer from one and ingested by other. It indicates the rate at which energy is transferred from linear sequence of one trophic level to another.
Scientifically, only 10 percent of energy is being transferred by different trophic levels right from the lower to higher. But, in case of richness of species diversity and density, it may be more, or may be less depending on the nature and numbers of organisms.
Species vs community in ecology and ecosystem
Species is type are organisms having interbreeding abilities with similar traits and characteristics. Whereas, when different such species come together, then community emerges.
For example, cat is a species of mammals. On the other hand, a snake is a species of reptiles. When such different types of species lives in an ecosystem, then these group is called “community”.
“Difference between Food chain and trophic levels”
Tropic level is an identical group of animals having similar characteristics and nutritional requirements. Such animals may be autotrophs, detritus, or heterotrophs.
Food chains are nothing but the sequential pattern or relationship of such trophic levels.
So, without the well structured trophic levels, the vertical transfer of energy cannot be realised. The nature of trophic levels is directly correlated with the degree of energy flow.
In other words, food chain is a vertical pattern of different trophic levels having different organisms in the physical setting. In this way, both are complementary, as well as mutually interdependent for their survival.
Relations between Ecological productivity and efficiency
What does ecology and ecosystem mean? How does ecosystem function? What is difference between ecological productivity and efficiency? These are some common questions everyone should know for environmental literacy.
Ecological productivity implies a rate at which primary energy is produced by the animals belonging to lower or base trophic level. These groups of similar organisms are also called “Autotrophs”.
And ecological efficiency is all about the rate of energy flow from lower trophic levels to higher trophic levels through the given ecosystem.
Species diversity=Food webs=ecological productivity= ecological efficiency=origin of species= biodiversity
As per the above mentioned order, the cycle of nature moves constantly to ensure sustainability of ecosystem in question.
As I stated before that ecology is an offshoot of biology that deals with systematic study of all the processes and interrelationships in which organisms are involved in interactions with other organisms in natural order.
In other words, it is a careful understanding of interactions and processes of different organisms to compete for survival in the given natural setting.
Explaining Ecological productivity through the perspective of ecology and ecosystem
Ecological productivity is a rate at which energy is produced by photosynthetic organisms in an ecosystem.
In this process, all the autotrophic organisms convert solar energy into chemical energy to satisfy food requirement. And, remaining energy they store in the form of cellular energy.
The stored energy by these autotrophic organisms is termed as net ecological productivity that determines the rate of energy transfer from one trophic level to another.
It is the stored energy by each organisms in all the trophic levels determine the rate and nature of ecological efficiency of the given ecosystem.
Example of ecological productivity
Suppose, in the continental shelf regions, the rate of energy production is more. So, the energy transfer from one trophic levels to another. Simply, marine ecosystem of continental shelf regions have both better productivity and efficiency.
But, in the desert ecosystem the nature of ecological productivity and efficiency may be bleak.
Ecological efficiency nature and characteristics
Ecological efficiency is the rate of energy flow or transfer of stored celular energy by each organisms in every trophic levels.
In every ecosystem we know that energy moves through defined direction by the means of consumption from one trophic level to another.
Relations between ecological productivity and efficiency
In this case, net productivity of autotrophs determines the rate of energy transfer or flow between two trophic levels. More the productivity, higher the efficiency.
So, to make better ecological efficiency, one should focus more on ecological productivity of given species. In this way, both ecological productivity and efficiency are complementary to each other.
An ecosystem to be more productive and efficient, large number of species diversity is necessary condition to boost more interactions.
Relations between Species diversity ecological productivity and efficiency
Species diversity means the different varieties of species present in the each strata of every trophic levels.
Greater species diversity of given ecosystem create a net of food web in the process of satisfying food requirements. More the diversity, richer the food chains and higher possibility of food webs.
Obviously, species diversity determines the richness of food chains and food webs in the given area.
You know that our living world is abounds with countless species. That’s why we observes several food chains and food webs around us.
Most importantly, it is a major determining factor for genetic diversity as well.
Species diversity = genetic diversity =evolution of new species
Biologically, the amount of genetic variation enable a population to adopt to its environment and to respond to natural selection. Therefore, species diversity acts as a basis for speciation or evolution of new species.
Clearly, such species diversity is instrumental in maintaining food chains and food webs. In short, more the number of species, greater the rate of ecological productivity and energy transfer.
Final thought on Ecology and ecosystem
So far, I have explained about the relationship between ecology and ecosystem. And, how they are interdependent on each other.
Then, I have systematically explained the concept tropic level and energy flow from Autotrophs to top carnivorous.
Finally, discussion centred around ecological productivity and efficiency. The degree of ecological productivity and efficiency of an ecosystem depends on the number of species diversity in that trophic levels.
More the species diversity, higher the productive capacity and so the transfer of energy. To be a robust and healthy ecosystem, species diversity is a most necessary condition.
This is all about the concept clarity of tropic level, ecological productivity and efficiency, species diversity, ecology and ecosystem.
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