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Essay on ecosystem: top 7 essays on ecosystem | geography.

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Here is a compilation of essays on ‘Ecosystem’ for class 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. Find paragraphs, long and short essays on ‘Ecosystem’ especially written for school and college students.

Essay on Ecosystem

Essay Contents:

• Essay o the Functioning of Ecosystems

Essay # 1. Meaning of Ecosystem :

The term ‘ecosystem’ was first used by A.G. Tansley in 1935 who defined ecosystem as ‘a particu­lar category of physical systems, consisting of organ­isms and inorganic components in a relatively stable equilibrium, open and of various sizes and kinds’.

According to Tansley the ecosystem is comprised of two major parts viz., biome (the whole complex of plants and animals of a particular spatial unit) and habitat (physical environment) and thus ‘all parts of such an ecosystem-organic and inorganic, biome and habitat-may be regarded as interacting factors which, in a mature ecosystem, are in approximate equilib­rium, it is through their interactions that the whole system is maintained’. F.R. Fosberg (1963) has defined ecosystem as ‘a function­ing, interacting system composed of one or more living organisms and their effective environment, both physical and biological’.

According to R.L. Linderman (1942) the term ecosystem applies to ‘any system composed of physical-chemical-biological processes, within a space-time unit of any magnitude’. In E.P. Odum’s view (1971)’living organisms and their non-living (aboitic) environment are inseparably interrelated and interact upon each other.

Any unit that includes all of the organisms (i.e., the community) in a given area interacting with the physical environment so that a flow of energy leads to clearly defined trophic struc­ture, biotic diversity and material cycle (i.e., exchange of materials between living and non-living parts) within the system is an ecological system or ecosystem’.

According to A.N. Strahler and A.H. Strahler (1976). “The total assemblage of components interacting with a group of organisms is known as ecological system or more simply, an ecosystem. Ecosystems have inputs of matter and energy, used to build biological structure (the biomass), to produce and to maintain necessary internal energy levels. Matter and energy are also exported from an ecosystem. An ecosystem tends to achieve a balance of the various processes and activi­ties within it”.

Based on the contents of above definitions of ecosystem provided by various scientists it may be pointed out that ‘ecosystems are, therefore, unities of organisms connected to one another and to their envi­ronment’ and the ecosystem is, thus, the sum of all natural organisms and substances within an area, and it can be viewed as a basic example of an open system in physical geogra­phy’. Stressing the importance of ecosystem C. C. Park further says that ‘ecosystems are regarded by many ecologists to be the basic units of ecology because they are complex, interdependent and highly organized systems and because they are the basic building blocks of the biosphere’.

In a more lucid style and simple term an ecosys­tem may be defined as a fundamental functional unit occupying spatial dimension of ‘earth space ship’ characterised by total assemblage of biotic community and abiotic components and their mutual interactions within a given time unit.

Essay # 2. Concept of Ecosystem:

According to Eugene P. Odum (1983), “any unit (a bio-system) that includes all the organisms that function together (the biotic com­munity) in a given area interacting with the physical environment so that a flow of energy leads to clearly defined biotic structures and cycling of materials between living and non-living parts is an ecological system or ecosystem”. Thus, ecosystem is the basic functional unit in ecology, as it includes both organisms and biotic environment, each influencing the properties of the other and both are neces­sary for the maintenance of life.

Ecosystems have both structure and function.

The structure part comprises of:

(i) The composition of all the biological com­munities,

(ii) The distribution and quantity of all the non-living materials (nutrients, water etc.) and

(iii) The conditions of existence (temperature, light etc.).

The functional part consists of:

(i) The energy flow in the community,

(ii) The nutrient cycles, and

(iii) Ecologi­cal and biological regulations (photoperiodism, nitrogen fixing organisms etc.).

ADVERTISEMENTS: (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Essay # 3. Types of Ecosystem :

Ecosystems may be identified and classified on various bases, with different purposes and objectives as outlined below:

(1) On The Basis of Habitats :

The habitats ex­hibit physical environmental conditions of a particular spatial unit of the biosphere. These physical conditions determine the nature and characteristics of biotic communities and therefore there are spatial variations in the biotic communities.

Based on this premise the world ecosystems are divided into two major categories viz.:

(A) Terrestrial ecosystems, and

(B) Aquatic ecosystems.

There are further variations in the terrestrial ecosystems in terms of physical conditions and their responses to biotic communities.

Therefore, the terrestrial ecosys­tems are further divided into sub-categories of:

(i) Upland or mountain ecosystems,

(ii) Lowland ecosystems,

(iii) Warm desert ecosystems, and

(iv) Cold desert ecosys­tems.

These sub-ecosystems may be further divided into descending orders depending on specific purposes and objectives of studies.

(B) The aquatic ecosystems are subdivided into two broad categories:

(i) freshwater (on continents) ecosystems and

(ii) marine ecosystems. Freshwater ecosystems (Bi) are further divided into (Bia) river ecosystems, (Bib) marsh and bog ecosystems while (Bii) marine ecosystems are divided into (Biia) open ocean ecosystems, (Biib) coastal estuarine ecosys­tem, (Biic) coral reef ecosystem, or can be alternatively divided into (Biia) ocean surface ecosystems, (Biib) ocean bottom ecosystems.

(2) On the basis of spatial scales:

Ecosystems are divided into different types of various orders on the basis of spatial dimensions required for specific pur­poses.

The largest ecosystem is the whole biosphere which is subdivided into two major types:

(A) Continen­tal ecosystems, and

(B) Oceanic or marine ecosystems.

The spatial scales may be brought down from a conti­nent to a single biotic life (plant or animal).

(3) On The Basis of Uses:

E.P. Odum (1959) has divided the world ecosystems on the basis of use of harvest methods and net primary production into two broad categories viz.:

(A) cultivated ecosystems and

(B) non-cultivated or natural ecosystems.

Cultivated eco­systems may be further subdivided into several catego­ries on the basis of cultivation of dominant crops e.g., wheat field ecosystem, rice field ecosystem, sugarcane field ecosystem, fodder field ecosystem etc. Similarly, non-cultivated ecosystems can be subdivided into forest ecosystem, tall grass ecosystem, short grass ecosystem, desert ecosystem, see-weeds ecosystem etc.

Essay # 4. Structure of Ecosystem :

Interaction of biotic and abiotic components results in physical structure that is the characteristic of each type of ecosystem.

The two important structural features of an ecosystem are:

(i) Species composition:

It is the identification and enumeration of plant and animal species of an ecosystem.

(ii) Stratification:

It is the vertical distribution of different species occupying different levels in ecosystem, e.g., trees occupy top vertical strata or layer of the forest, shrubs occupies the second and herbs and grasses occupy the bottom layers.

Essay # 5. Components of Ecosystem :

Ecosystem has two major components (Table 4.1):

I. Abiotic Component :

The abiotic components of an ecosystem comprises of all the non-living factors. It includes light; temperature; climate; pressure; all the inorganic substances (Phosphorus, Sulfur, Carbon, Nitrogen, Hydrogen etc.) present in water, soil and air involved in mate­rial cycles; organic compounds (proteins, car­bohydrates, lipids etc.) that link the abiotic and biotic components of the ecosystem.

II. Biotic Component :

The biotic factors include the living organisms of the environment. They form the trophic structure (trophe, nourishment) of any ecosystem, where living organisms are dis­tinguished on the basis of their nutritional relationships. From this standpoint, an ecosystem is two-layered:

(a) Autotrophic (self-nourishing) compo­nent:

This is the upper stratum and is often referred to as the “green belt”. It comprises of the chlorophyll-containing plants, photosynthetic bacteria, chemosynthetic microbes, etc. They use simple inorganic substances along with the fixation of light energy, for the buildup of complex organic substances and are thus known as producers.

(b) Heterotrophic (other-nourishing) com­ponent:

This is the lower stratum or ‘brown belt” of soils and sediments, decaying matter, roots etc. Here utilisation, rearrangement and decomposition of complex materials are the main features. As these organisms eat or con­sume other organisms, they are known as consumers.

The consumers are categorized into:

(i) Macro-consumers:

Macro-consumers or phagotrophs (phago, to eat) are chiefly ani­mals that consume other organisms or partic­ulate organic matter. These organisms are further divided into primary, secondary and tertiary consumers. Herbivores that depend upon plant food are known as primary con­sumers. Secondary and tertiary consumers, when present, are either carnivores or omnivores.

(ii) Micro-consumers:

Micro-consumers or saprotrophs (sapro, to decompose) or decomposers or osmotrophs (osmo, to pass through a membrane) are chiefly bacteria and fungi, that obtain their food (energy) either by break-down of dead tissues or by absorbing dissolved organic matter extruded by or extracted from plants or other orga­nisms.

The saprotrophs by their decomposing activity:

1. Release inorganic nutrients that can be used by the producers.

2. Provide food for the macro-consu­mers.

3. Excrete hormone-like substances that inhibit or stimulate other biotic components of the ecosystem.

Essay # 6. Properties of Ecosystem :

The following are the basic properties of an ecosystem:

(i) Ecosystem of any given space-time-unit rep­resents the sum of all living organisms and physical environment.

(ii) It is composed of three basic components viz., energy, biotic (biome) and abiotic (habitat) com­ponents.

(iii) It occupies certain well defined area on the earth-space ship (spatial dimension).

(iv) It is viewed in terms of time-unit (temporal dimension).

(v) There are complex sets of interactions be­tween biotic and abiotic components (including en­ergy component) on the one hand and between and among the organisms on the other hand.

(vi) It is an open system which is charaterised by continuous input and output of matter and energy.

(vii) It tends to be in relatively stable equilib­rium unless there is disturbance in one or more control­ling factors (limiting factors).

(viii) It is powered by energy of various sorts but the solar energy is the most significant.

(ix) It is a functional unit wherein the biotic components (plants, animals including man and mi­cro-organisms) and abiotic (physical environment) components (including energy component) are inti­mately related to each other through a series of large- scale cyclic mechanisms viz. energy flow, water cycle, biogeochemical cycle, mineral cycle, sediment cycle etc.

(x) Ecosystem has its own productivity which is the process of building organic matter based on the availability and amount of energy passing through the ecosystem. The productivity refers to the rate of growth of organic matter in an areal unit per time-unit.

(xi) Ecosystem has scale dimension i.e., it varies in spatial coverage. It may be as small as a cowshed, a tree or even a part of a tree having certain micro­organisms. The largest unit is the whole biosphere. Thus, the ecosystems may be divided into several orders on the basis of spatial dimension. It is clear that ‘the ecosystem is a convenient scale at which to con­sider plants and animals and their interaction because it is more localised and thus more specific than the biosphere in its entirety, and it includes a sufficient wide range of individual organisms to make regional generalizations feasible and valuable’.

(xii) There are different sequences of ecosystem development. The sequence of ecosystem develop­ment in terms of a particular suite of physical and chemical conditions is called as ‘sere’. A ‘sere’ repre­sents the development of a series of sequential successions starting from primary succession and cul­minating into the last succession in a sere as ‘climax’ or ‘climatic climax’ which is the most stable situation of an ecosystem. Thus, the study of ecosystem devel­opment may help in environmental planning from ecological point of view.

(xiii) Ecosystems are natural resource systems.

(xiv) Ecosystem concept is monistic in that envi­ronment (abiotic component), man, animals, plants and micro-organisms (biotic component) are put together in a single formwork so that it becomes easy to study the patterns of interactions among these components.

(xv) It is structured and well organised system.

(xvi) Ecosystem, for convenience, may be stud­ied as a ‘black box model’ by concentrating on the study of input variables and related output variables while the internal variables may be-ignored to reduce the complexity.

Essay # 7. Functioning of Ecosystems :

The functioning of an ecosystem depends on the pattern of energy flow because all aspects of living components of an ecosystem depend on energy flow which also helps in the distribution and circulation of organic and inorganic matter within the ecosystem. While the energy flow follows unidirectional path, the circulation of matter follows cyclic paths.

Here, only a brief discussion is presented so as to have a general idea of the functioning of ecosystem.

The energy pattern and flow are governed by first and second laws of thermodynamics. The first law states that in any system of constant mass, energy is neither created nor destroyed but it can be transformed from one type to another type (example, electrical energy can be converted into mechanical energy). In terms of ecosystem energy inflow or energy input into the system will be balanced by energy outflow from the system.

The second law of thermodynamics states that when work is done, energy is dissipated and the work is done when one form of energy is transformed into another form. In the context of ecosystem there is dissipation of energy from each transfer point (trophic level) and thus the dissipated or lost energy is not again available to the ecosystem.

Solar radiation is the basic input of energy entering the ecosystem. The radiant solar energy is received by the green plants. Most of the received solar energy is converted into heat energy and is lost from the ecosystem to the atmosphere through plant com­munities. Only a small proportion of radiant solar energy is used by plants to make food through the process of photosynthesis.

Thus, green plants trans­form a part of solar energy into food energy or chemi­cal energy which is used by the green plants to develop their tissues and thus is stored in the primary producers or autotrophs at the bottom of trophic levels. The chemical energy stored at trophic level one becomes the source of energy to the herbivorous animals at trophic level two of the food chain.

Some portion of energy is lost from trophic level one through respira­tion and some portion is transferred to plant-eating animals (herbivores) at trophic level two. The transfer of energy from trophic level one (green plants) to trophic level two (herbivores) is performed through the intake of organic tissues (which contain potential chemical energy) of green plants by the herbivores.

Thus, the chemical energy consumed by herbivores helps in the building of their own tissues and is stored at trophic level two and becomes the source of energy for carnivores at trophic level three. A substantial portion of chemical energy is released by carnivores at trophic level three through respiration because more energy is required for the work to be done by carni­vores at trophic level three (building of tissues, grow­ing, movement for grazing, catching prey, reproduc­tion of their off-springs etc.).

Some portion of potential chemical energy is transferred from trophic level three to trophic level four or top trophic level represented by omnivores (those animals which eat both plants and animals, man is the most important example of omni­vores). The animals at trophic level four mainly man also take energy from trophic levels one and two. Again some portion of energy is released by omnivores through respiration.

The remaining stored chemical energy in the plants and animals is transferred to decomposers when they (plants and animals) become dead. The decomposers release substantial amount of energy through respiration to the atmosphere. It may be pointed out that at each trophic level the available potential chemical energy to be transferred to the next higher trophic level decreases as more energy is re­leased through respiration to the atmosphere from each trophic level.

Respiration means chemical breakdown of food in the body and thus respiration releases heat which is transferred to the atmosphere. Based on above statement it may be summarized that apart from the energy released to the atmosphere through respiration, the remaining energy is transferred in successive con­sumer stages known as trophic (literally nourishment) levels from autotrophs to heterotrophs (meaning that they derive their nourishment from others). Ultimately all the energy is passed on the detrivores, or decomposer organisms’

The circulation of elements or matter or nutri­ents (organic and inorganic both) is made possible through energy flow. In other words, energy flow is the main driving force of nutrient circulation in the various biotic components of the ecosystem.

The organic and inorganic substances are moved reversibly in the bio­sphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere through various closed system of cycles in such a way that total mass of these substances remain almost the same and are always available to biotic communities.

‘In other words, the materials that make up the biosphere are distributed and redistributed by means of an infinite series of cyclic pathways motored by the continuous input of energy’ .

The materials or nutrients involved in the circulation within an ecosystem are grouped into three categories viz.:

(i) Macro-elements (which are required in large quantity by plants, e.g., oxygen, car­bon and hydrogen),

(ii) Minor or micro- elements (which are required by plants in relatively large amounts e.g., nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, mag­ nesium and sulphur) and

(iii) Trace elements (plants require very small amounts of about 100 elements, important being iron, zinc, manganese and cobalt).

Besides these inorganic chemical elements, there are organic materials as well which comprise:

(i) Decom­posed parts of either alive or dead plants and animals, and

(ii) Waste materials released by animals.

A few of the chemical elements act as organic catalysts or en­zymes because they help chemical reactions but sel­dom undergo chemical change themselves.

Such chemi­cal elements are hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen which belong to gaseous phase (that is they are found in the atmosphere in gaseous state-atmospheric reservoir or pool) and phosphate, calcium or sulphur which belong to sedimentary phase (that is they are found in weath­ered rocks and soils-sedimentary reservoirs or pool).

Thus, these elements, derived from atmospheric and sedimentary reservoirs, are pooled into soils from where these are taken by plants in solution form though the process of root osmosis. The plants then convert these elements into such forms which are easily used in the development of plant tissues and plant growth by biochemical processes (generally photosynthesis). Thus, the nutrients driven by energy flow pass into various components of biotic communities through the process known as ‘biogeochemical cycles’.

In a generalised form the biogeochemical cycles include the uptake of nutrients or inorganic elements by the plants through their roots in solution form from the soils where these inorganic elements, derived from sedimentary phase, are stored. The nutrients are transported to various trophic levels through energy flow. Here, the nutrients become organic matter and are stored in the biotic reservoirs of organic phase.

The organic elements of plants and animals are released in a variety of ways i.e.:

(i) Decomposition of leaf falls from the plants, dead plants and animals by decomposers and their conversion into soluble inor­ganic form.

(ii) Burning of vegetation by lightning, accidental forest fire or deliberate action of man. The portions of organic matter on burning are released to the atmosphere and these again fall down, under the impact of precipitation, on the ground and become soluble inorganic form of element to join soil storage, while some portions in the form of ashes are decom­posed by bacterial activity and join solid storage.

(iii) The waste materials released by animals are decom­posed by bacteria and find their way in soluble inor­ganic form to soil storage. Thus, biogeochemical cy­cles involve the movement and circulation of soluble inorganic substances (nutrients) derived from sedi­mentary and atmospheric phases of inorganic sub­stances (the two basic components of inorganic phase) through biotic phase and finally their return to inor­ganic state.

The study of biogeochemical cycles may be approached on two scales:

(i) The cycling of all the elements together, or

(ii) Cycling of individual elements e.g., carbon cycle, oxygen cycle, nitrogen cycle, phos­phorous cycle, sulphur cycle etc.

Besides, hydrological cycle and mineral cycles are also included in the broader biogeochemical cycles.

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Essay on Ecosystem | Environment

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Read this essay to learn about ecosystem. After reading this essay you will learn about: 1. Meaning of Ecosystem 2. Nature of Ecosystem 3. Structure 4. Functions 5. Types 6. The Laws of Thermodynamics and Energy Flow 7. Ecosystems Dynamics and Successional Process 8. Ecosystem Disturbance 9. Regulation 10. Material Cycle 11. Productivity 12. Conservation and Management.

Essay Contents:

• Essay on the Conservation and Management of Ecosystem

Essay # 1. Meaning of Ecosystem:

An ecosystem is a functional unit of nature, where living organisms interact among themselves and also with their surrounding physical environment. The term ‘Ecosystem’ was coined by AG Tansley (1935). Ecologist considers the entire biosphere as a global ecosystem comprised of many ecosystems on the earth varying in size from a small pond to a large forest or a sea.

Ecosystem can also be defined as an interactive system, where biotic and abiotic components interact with each other via energy exchange and flow of nutrients. Crop fields and an aquarium are considered as man-made ecosystems.

Essay # 2. Nature of Ecosystem:

Ecosystems consist of living organisms and material environments of soil, air and water, and occur at a variety of scales. As with all systems the ecosystem is composed of a series of inputs, processes or stores and outputs. Although various components within it may change, it is usually maintained in a state of balance, called dynamic equilibrium.

This stability is due to homeostatic mechanisms, which work rather like the thermostat in a heating system. In an ecosystem, changes thus, may be shown by feedback, which is ability of the output to control the input.

The organisms living on the earth’s surface constitute the biosphere and are found in the air (atmosphere), on land (lithosphere) and in water (hydrosphere). At a global scale, land environments with similar plant and animal communities for natural regions or biomes.

Each biome may be di­vided, at a variety of scales, into ecological sys­tems or ecosystem. Each ecosystem has a unique range of species forming its biological diversity or biodiversity.

A.G. Transley (1935) defined an ecosystem for the first time as follows-

“A particular category of physical systems consisting of organisms and inorganic compo­nents in a relatively stable equilibrium, open and of various lands and sizes”.

However, the current definition is as follows-

“Ecosystem consists of structured webs or systems at a range organism and their material environments of soil, air and water. These com­ponents are linked by movements of energy and nutrients”.

Essay # 3. Structure of Ecosystem :

The term ‘structure’ refers to the various compo­nents which combine to produce an ecosystem. These may be divided into living or biotic compo­nents and non-living or abiotic components. An outline is shown in Fig. 4.1.

The Biotic Component—Producers, Consumers and Decomposers :

The living organisms in an ecosystem collectively form its community or population. Each organ­ism interacts with others forming relatively simple food chains and complex food webs. Each stage in the food chain is called a tropic level. Energy and nutrients pass through the tropic level, as vari­ous organisms are in turn eaten by other organ­isms of higher tropic order.

The producers are the autotrophs, thus forms the first tropic level. These are mainly green plants and photosynthetic bacteria, all of which can carry out photosynthe­sis. In marine and other fresh water bodies micro­scopic algae (phytoplankton) as producer.

Producers form the food for the consumers (or heterotrophs). The consumers are of differ­ent tiers. Primary consumers or herbivores form the second tropic level, feeding directly on the pro­ducers. In land based ecosystems they will include grazing and browsing animals such as antelope, elephant and giraffe, together with plant eating insects and birds.

But in aquatic ecosystems, molluscs such as mussels and zooplankton which feed on phytoplankton are the main primary consum­ers.

The third trophic level comprises the second­ary consumers or carnivores, which feed on the herbivores. A fourth tropic level, the tertiary con­sumers, who are also carnivores may occur. Some of the higher level consumers, for example bears, eat both plants and animals, and are called omnivores.

There are several different groups of sec­ondary and tertiary consumers:

1. Predators are those, which hunt, capture and kill their prey.

2. Carrion feeders consume dead and dying animals.

3. Parasites live on their host animals.

The decomposers and detrivores form an­other major component of the biotic structure of an ecosystem. After plants and animals die, they and their waste products arc decomposed by saprophytic microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria. Very small decomposing fragments form detritus, which is then fed on by small animals, detrivores, including earthworms and woodlice.

Abiotic Component or Habitat Concept :

Individuals, species and populations, both marine and terrestrial, tend to live in particular places. These places are called “habitats”. Each habitat is characterised by a specific set of environmental conditions – radiation and light, temperature, moisture, wind, fire frequency and intensity, grav­ity, salinity, currents, topography, soil, substratum, geomorphology, human disturbances and so forth.

Habitats come in all shapes and sizes, occu­pying the full sweep of geographical scales. They range from small (microhabitats) through medium (mesohabitats) and large (macrohabitats), to very large (mega habitats).

Microhabitats are a few square centimeters to a few square meters in area. They include leaves, the soil, lake bottoms, sandy beaches, tall slopes, wall, river banks, and paths. Mesohabitats have areas up to about 10,000 km 2 ; thus is a 100 x 100 kilometer square, which is about a small district.

Each main mesohabitat is influ­enced by the same regional climate, by similar fea­tures of geomorphology and soil, and by a similar set of disturbance regimes. Macrohabitats have area up to about 1, 00,000 km 2 , which is about the size of a country. Mega habitats are regions more than 1,000,000 km 2 in extent. They include conti­nents and the entire land surface of the Earth.

Diverse forms of organisms live in virtually all environments, from the hottest to the coldest, the wettest to the driest, the most acidic to the most alkaline. But there are special requirement for each organisms and also tolerance limits too.

For every environmental factor (viz., temperature and moisture) there is a lower limit below which a species cannot live, an optimum range in which it thrives and an upper limit above which it cannot live.

The upper and lower bounds define the toler­ance range of a species for a particular environ­mental factor (Fig. 4.2). Each species (or race) has a characteristic tolerance range. Stenoecious species have a wide tolerance; euryoeciuos species have a nar­row tolerance.

All species, regardless of their tol­erance range, may be adopted to the low end (oligotypic) to the middle (mesotypic) or to the high end (polytypic) of an environment gradient (Table 4.1).

Essay # 4. Functions of Ecosystem :

There are two major functions within an ecosys­tem the transfer of energy through and the recy­cling of nutrients within the ecosystem.

i. Energy Flows in Ecosystem :

Photosynthesis is the process by which light energy from the sun is absorbed by green plant, cyanobacteria and other photosynthetic bacteria. It is then used to produce new plant cell material, which forms the food source for plant eating ani­mals (herbivores).

Plants are able to convert light energy and inorganic substances (CO 2 , H 2 O and various mineral substances) into organic (carbon based) molecules through the process of photo­synthesis are called phototrophs or autotrophs.

The basic reaction is as follows:

6CO 2 + 12H 2 O → C 6 H 12 O 6 + 6O 2 + 6H 2 O

Carbon dioxide + Water → Glucose + Oxygen + Water

The energy thus produced in the form of or­ganic molecules by photosynthesis will pass through the food chains and food webs of an eco­system, with some of it being stored as chemical energy in plant and animal tissue. Some of it will be lost from the system, as respiration (heat en­ergy) and excreta products.

The total amount of energy lost, from all the trophic levels in an eco­system through respiration, forms the community respiration. Energy is lost at each level in the food chain, with the average efficiency of transfer from plants to herbivores being about 10 per cent and about 20 per cent from animal to animal (Fig.4.3).

As a result of the loss of energy at each transfer between trophic levels, ecosystems are usually lim­ited to three or four trophic levels. The actual num­ber will depend upon the size of the initial autotroph (producer) biomass, and the efficiency of energy transfer between the trophic levels.

ii. Nutrient (Gaseous or Biogeochemical) Cycles :

The nutrients or elements used by all organisms for growth and reproduction are termed essential elements. Among the essential elements some are required in large quantity. They are termed as macronutrients or major nutrients viz., carbon (C), hy­drogen (H), Oxygen (O), nitrogen (N), phospho­rus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sulphur (S).

However, there are about others 30 elements which are also essential but required in small quantity viz., iron (Fe), manga­nese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and cobalt (Co) etc. They are called trace elements.

The nutrients required by plants are obtained as inputs either from the atmosphere through vari­ous gaseous cycles or in precipitation, or from the soil via the weathering of parent rock, through several biogeochemical or sedimentary cycles. The two types of cycle are interrelated, as nutrients pass from abiotic nutrient stores, such as the soil and the atmosphere, into biotic, plant and animal stores (the biomass).

The nutrients are then recycled, within the ecosystem, following death and decom­position (Fig. 4.4). Nutrients are lost, as outputs, by surface runoff, leaching through the soil pro­file or the removal of plant, animal, leaf litter or soil material. The concept of the recycling of nu­trients between three compartments or stores is shown in Gersmehl’s Model (Fig 4.5).

Some distinctive features of elemental cycles are described separately.

(a) Carbon Cycle :

In the living world carbon is the major element that constitute the organic molecules viz. carbo­hydrates, protein, fat, vitamin and other second­ary metabolites. Carbon is available as gaseous el­ements in atmosphere as CO 2 , CO, CH 4 , C 2 H 2 and various other volatile gas forms. Carbon is also present as carbonate, bicarbonate in water and soil.

Soil also possesses organic carbon originating from decomposition of biomass. Atmospheric carbon dioxide is fixed by green plant through photosyn­thesis as organic molecules. Carbon dioxide may also be absorbed by water and soil to form car­bonate and bicarbonate salt.

Carbon dioxide is formed through organic decomposition, volcanic eruption, burning of fos­sil fuel or woods or biomass. Over the years, glo­bal imbalance in carbon cycle took place. This is primarily due to source sink disharmony. As a consequence global warming associated process accelerated over the years. A simplified model of carbon cycle is shown in Fig. 4.6.

(b) Nitrogen Cycle :

Like carbon, nitrogen is another important essen­tial elements. In atmosphere nitrogen mostly re­main as gas viz. N Ξ N, NO 2 , NO, N 2 O, NH 3 and other nitrogenous volatile gases. In soil and water nitrogen remain as nitrate, nitrite or ammonium salts. Most of the plant absorb nitrogen from soil nitrate or nitrite and then converted to organic forms.

There are a couples of instances, where atmospheric nitrogen is fixed by the nitrogen fix­ing bacteria in free state or symbiotic association stage with legumes. Organic materials on decom­position releases nitrogen gas and NH 3 or nitrate or nitrite into the soil. On fuel burning nitrogen oxide gas also formed and released into the na­ture. An over view of nitrogen cycle is shown in Fig. 4.7.

(c) Sulphur Cycle:

Sulphur is also another major essential elements. In atmosphere sulphur remain as SO 4 , SO 3 , H 2 S and in other allied forms. In soil and water it remains as- SO 4 , SO 3 , HSO 3 or insoluble sulphate rich rocks/sediments. Major sources of sulphur is the volcanic eruption or rock disintegrations. Fossil fuel burning leads to SO 2 production. A diagrammatic representation of sulphur cycle is shown in Fig. 4.8.

(d) Mineral Cycle :

There are a number of metallic minerals viz, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Mb, Ni, Co, Cd etc. which are very essential for life. Most of these minerals are absorbed from soil/water by producer and subse­quently they spread to various categories of con­sumers through food chain.

In the biological forms all the minerals are released to soil by decomposi­tion. Excess quantity of minerals however may be toxic to the life forms. An overview of mineral cycle is shown in Fig. 4.9.

Essay # 5. Types of Ecosystem:

I. forest ecosystem:.

It is one of the major productive natural terres­trial ecosystems of the world.

The forest ecosys­tem varies widely in different climatic zones.

A number of climatic, edaphic and physiographic factors regulates the types and composition of for­est ecosystem.

The major types of forest ecosystem are as follows:

1. Tropical Rain Forests:

It grows in the regions with plenty of moisture and heat. These for­ests were located in tropical South America (viz., Amazon river basin), in the East Indies, South East Asia (viz., Malabar Coast of In­dia), in some parts of Africa and North-West Australia. The annual rainfall of the region is fairly high (2000 to 2500 mm) and evenly dis­tributed throughout the year.

There is a very rich floristic and faunistic composition due to moderate temperature, high humidity, better soil nutrient and moisture regime. A typical ram forest has multi-layer component vegeta­tion with well-developed canopy of tall trees (25-40 meter high). The understory vegeta­tion is fairly thick. There are lots of climbers and epiphytes. The net primary productivity is as high as 30 ton per acre per year.

2. Temperate Forests:

It is primarily a mountainous forest of fairly higher elevation where rainfall is moderate to high, and tem­perature ranges from 5-20°C. It may be ever­green broad leaved or coniferous or decidu­ous broad leaved type. The primary produc­tivity is moderate to high. The dominants spe­cies were conifers, maple (Acer), Oak (Quercus), Birch (Alnus), Aspen (Populus) Beech (Fagus), Buckeyes (Asculus) and Hemlock (Tsuga) etc.

3. Grassland:

It occupies about 20% of the earth’s land surface, and are of three types viz., Tropical grassland (Savanna), Temperate grassland and Alpine grassland. Each grass­land has its own characteristics floral compo­nents. Usually, the vegetation is dominated by grasses, legumes and composites. The Alpine grassland is said to be “Tundra”, which is very much lichen rich. Usually the productivity of grassland is fairly low.

4. Mangroves:

This is a specialised vegetation of coastal tidal mudflat. This is distributed in all maritime countries and island states. It has a characteristic dense forest with short height (3-5 meter) trees with elaborate root system, waxy leaves and other xeric features. This is a tropical evergreen forest patch with highly productive ecosystem. Consumer diversity is also fairly high. In India, coastal estuaries have dense mangrove vegetation.

5. Deserts:

These ecosystems are barren or have scanty vegetation consisting mainly of thorny bushes. It receives low rainfall (<500mm per annum), but are not uniform. There are few locations where perennial water sources may be available. The productivity is extremely poor. There are limited and specialised con­sumers in desert habitats.

Depending on the food availability within dif­ferent forest ecosystems, the consumer types and their population varies. However, among the terrestrial ecosystems, biological diversity is more pronounced in tropical rain forest and lowest in desert system. Due to varied physiographic and agro climatic zonation, India has almost all categories of forest eco­system.

ii. Aquatic Ecosystems :

These ecosystems occupy over 70% of the planet earth. In addition to its own productivity these eco­system plays an important role in the cycling of chemical substances and influences the growth and activities of terrestrial ecosystems.

There are three principal categories of aquatic ecosystems viz., Freshwater (Pond, Lake, Springs or River) ecosys­tem; estuarine ecosystem (at the meeting point of river and sea); and marine and coastal salt water ecosystem. Each kinds of aquatic ecosystem has it own physical, chemical and biological characteristics.

Primarily inland, fresh water habitats are grouped into two categories:

(a) Lentic habitats (standing water i.e., pond, lake and reservoirs) and

(b) Lotic habitats (running/flowing water i.e., springs and rivers).

Both kinds of fresh water ecosystems dif­fers in their physical characteristics and biotic com­ponents. For instance in ponds, lakes and reser­voirs, there are three distinct layers shallow wa­ter zone (littoral zone), limnetic zone (open water zone) and deep water (pro-fundal zone). But in lotic system, such zonation are not promi­nent. The flowing water breaks thermal gradient and also helps in mixing of water components (Fig. 4.11).

Fig 4.11: Four major zones of life in a lake

The marine ecosystem of sea has open seas (pelagic environment) and benthic environment (ocean depths) and coastal water (with tidal influ­ences). There are characteristic vegetation with spe­cies composition (both producers and different categories of consumers too) (Fig. 4.12).

Fig. 4.12 Major zones of life in an ocean

Among the aquatic ecosystems, estuarine eco­system is the most productive one and coral eco­system on coastal littoral zone is the least produc­tive form. An overview characteristics of prominent eco­systems are given in Table 4.2.

Essay # 6. The Laws of Thermodynamics and Energy Flow in Ecosystem:

The application of the two fundamental laws of thermodynamics to energy and matter transformations at the cellular level was discussed over the years through various ecosystem modes.

The First Law (the law of conservation of energy) asserts that in a closed system, energy can nether be created nor destroyed but can only be transformed from one form to another.

Thus, when fuel is burnt to drive a car, the potential energy contained in the chemical bonds of that fuel is converted into mechanical energy to propel the car, electrical energy to ignite the fuel, light to show where you are going and heat to defrost the windscreen.

The key point, however, is that if you could measure the total amount of energy consumed and compare it with the total amounts being produced in these various other forms the two would be equal.

Energy conversions such as these also take place in biological systems. Photosynthetic organisms such as plants capture and transform light energy from the sun and transfer this energy throughout the system subject only to the consequences of the Second Law.

The Second Law asserts that disorder (entropy) in the universe is constantly increasing and that during energy conversions, energy inevitably changes to less organised and useful forms, i.e.. it is degraded Think of this as energy always going from concentrated to less concentrated forms, the least useful (i.e least concentrated) being heat energy.

The consequences of this are very significant biologically Dunn- each conversion stage, some energy is lost as heat.

Therefore, the more conversions taking place between the capture of light energy by plants and the trophic (feeding) level being considered, the lees the energy available to that level. The efficiency of the transfer along food chains is generally less than 10 per cent because about 90 per cent of the available energy is lost or used at each stage.

The study of energy flow is important in determining limits to food supply and the production of all biological resources. The capture of light energy and its conversion into stored chemical energy by autotrophic organisms provides ecosystems with their primary energy source.

Most of this is photosynthetic chlorophyll-based production, the exception being the comparatively limited production of organic materials by chemosynthetic organisms. The total amount of energy converted into organic matter is the gross primary production (GPP) and varies markedly between systems.

However plants use between 15 and 70 per cent of GPP for their own maintenance. What remains is the net primary production (NPP). The total NPP of an ecosystem provides the energy base exploited by non-photosynthetic (heterotrophic) organisms as secondary production.

Heterotrophs obtain the energy they require by consuming and digesting plants (herbivores), by feeding on other heterotrophs (carnivores) or by feeding on detritus, the dead bodies or waste materials of other organisms (detritivores, saprophytes saprozoites)

The energy stored in the food materials is made available through cell respiration. Chemical energy is released by burning the organic compound with oxygen using enzyme-mediated reactions within cells. This produces carbon dioxide and water as waste products.

Energy flow is the movement of energy through a system from an external source through a series of organisms and back to the environment. At each stage (trophic level) within the system, only a small fraction of the available energy is used for the production of new tissue (growth and reproduction), most is used for respiration and body maintenance.

Once the importance of energy flow is appreciated, the significance of energy efficiency and transfer efficiency is more readily understood. Energy efficiency is ‘the amount of useful work obtained from a unit amount of available energy’ and is an important factor for the management and conservation of any biological resource.

The development of most modern intensive agriculture is founded on the principle that increased channeling of energy into a system results in higher yields; however, the energy efficiency is usually less than in more traditional agricultural system

A common ecological measure of efficiency is the trophic-level efficiency, the ratio of production at one trophic level to that of the next lower trophic level. This is never very high and rarely exceeds 10 per cent (the ’10 per cent rule’), more typical values being only 1-3 per cent.

Table 5.1 lists other measures of efficiency often used in ecological comparisons. However, estimates of ecological efficiencies can vary widely between individuals and populations because individuals in a population may live under different ecological conditions.

Essay # 7. Ecosystems Dynamics and Successional Process:

Ecosystem may exist in a relatively stable state or may be subject to change through natural processes or the influence of human activities. In newly cre­ated habitat, ecosystem is build up with time through successional process (primary succes­sions). Each stage of successional process is known as sere. There are three major stages in successional process (Fig. 4.14).

Under some circumstances the primary suc­cession may be affected by natural or man made processes, where new community was build up in place of original community. This is secondary successional process.

Within each ecosystem, there are interactions. The levels of interaction in an ecosystem depend upon the size of the various populations at each trophic level, and the links between the popula­tions of each trophic level, and the abiotic envi­ronment.

The types of interaction include:

(a) Interactions between organisms and their abi­otic environment, and

(b) Interactions between the various organisms in a community (Interspecific and intraspecific).

The major characteristics of stages of eco­system development are given in Table 4.5.

Essay # 8. Ecosystem Disturbance :

The natural ecosystem may be disturbed in a num­ber of ways viz., natural hazards or man-made ac­tivities. Earth quake, volcanoes, cyclone, flood, and landslides are the major natural hazards that dam­age the natural ecosystem.

Similarly, deforestation, mining, industrialisation, urbanisation, and pollu­tion cause serious threat to the natural ecosystems. Each of the factors of ecosystem damage is interlinked process. Deforestation alone can make a number of ecosystem changes as stated in Table 4.6. 

Among the various types of deforestation changes in the globe, the global warming is per­haps most significant change. The felling and burn­ing of the forests is believed to be having a major impact on the climate of the World by increasing levels of CO 2 in the atmosphere.

In September, 1997, the issue of tropical rainforest destruction was brought to the attention of the World’s com­munity, when it was combined with two other en­vironmental concerns.

A major pollution incident covering large areas of south east Asia and centred on Indonesia and Malaysia, occurred due to the burning of large areas of rainforest in Indonesia. The burning became uncontrollable, as the area was already being affected by a drought, thought to be the result of the El-Nino (effect in the Pa­cific Ocean).

The high smoke levels trapped gases, including carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, sulphur dioxide and ozone, specially in urban areas such as Kuching and Kualalumpur, producing a dan­gerous photochemical smog.

Essay # 9. Regulation of Ecosystem :

Most organisms live in a variable environment within the environment thus leading to maintain a relatively constant internal environment within the narrow limits required by cells. That cells by some means regulate the internal environment relative to the external one. Organisms have to regulate their body temperature, pH, water, and amount of salts in fluids and tissues, to maintain a few- factors.

Because they take in substances from the environment and use them in cellular chemical re­actions, they also have to discharge both excessive intake and waste products of metabolism to the environment to maintain a fairly constant internal environment. The maintenance of these condi­tions within the tolerance limits of die cells is called homeostasis.

Homeostasis involves the feeding of environ­mental information into a system, which then re­sponds to effects of the input from or changes in external conditions. An example is temperature regulation in humans. The normal temperature for humans is 37°C (98.6°F).

When the temperature of the environment rises, sensory mechanisms in the skin detect it and send a message to the brain, which acts (involuntarily) on the information and relays the message to the effector mechanisms that increase blood flow to the skin and induce sweat­ing. Water excreted through the skin evaporates, cooling the body.

If the environmental tempera­ture falls below a certain point, a similar action in the system takes place, this time reducing blood flow and causing shivering, an involuntary mus­cular exercise producing more heat. This type of reaction, which halts or reverses a movement away from a set point, is called negative feedback.

If the environmental temperature becomes extreme, the homeostatic system breaks down. If the environmental temperature becomes too warm, the body is unable to lose heat fast enough to hold the temperature at normal. Body metabo­lism speeds up, further increasing body tempera­ture, eventually ending in heatstroke or death.

If the environmental temperature drops too low, metabolic processes slow down, further decreas­ing body temperature, eventually resulting in death by freezing. Such situation in which feedback re­inforces change, driving the system to higher and higher or lower and lower values, is called positive feedback.

The idea of homeostasis at the level of the individual can be extended to higher levels: the population, involving intrinsic regulation of size, and the ecosystem, encompassing such functions as nutrient cycling. All involve the concept of a system.

What is a system? A system is a collection of interdependent parts or events that make up a whole. For example, a radio consists of various transistors, transductions, wires, a speaker, and con­trol knobs, among other things. Each part has a specific function, yet the expression of the role of each depends upon the proper functioning of all the other parts.

The whole system fails to func­tion unless there is some kind of input from the outside on which the system can act to produce some kind of output. For the radio the outside input is electrical energy, on which the system acts to pick up certain radio waves, which are trans­mitted as an output-sound. Thus, all the parts of the radio function as a total system.

There are two basic types of systems: closed and open. A closed system is one in which energy but not matter is exchanged between the system and environment. The radio is a closed system, and so is Earth. Its only input is energy from the sun. An open system is one in which both matter and energy are exchanged between it and the en­vironment.

Open systems can be cybernetic systems, that have a feedback system to make them self-regulating (Fig. 4.15). To function in such a manner, the cy­bernetic system has an ideal state, or set point, about which it operates. In a purely mechanical system, the set point can be fixed specifically. Con­sider a dehumidifier set for a humidity level of 50 per cent.

When the humidity of the air in a room exceeds 50 per cent, the switch on the dehumidi­fier turns on and a fan starts to pull air over the refrigerated coils on which the water condenses to be carried away through a hose or pipe. When sufficient water has been wrung out of the air, the dehumidifier shuts off. The feedback of informa­tion on humidity causes the dehumidifier to turn off—a negative feedback mechanism.

Living systems are cybernetic systems that can function at various levels but are always regulated by living organisms. The difference be­tween living and mechanical systems is that in living systems the set point is not firmly fixed. Rather, organisms have a limited range of tol­erances, called homeostatic plateaus, within which conditions must be maintained.

If environmen­tal conditions exceed the operating limits of the system, it goes out of control. Instead of nega­tive feedback governing the system, positive feedback takes over, with a movement away from the homeostatic plateau that can ultimately de­stroy the system.

The systems approach is especially im­portant to ecology, particularly to an under­standing of the function and structure of ecosystems. This approach utilizes the con­struction of models that represent the real system or parts of the system for the pur­pose of experimentation.

Essay # 10. Material Cycle in Ecosystem:

Matter in organisms and ecosystems serve two functions:

1. First, matter can serve to store chemical energy as carbohydrate, protein and fats.

2. Second, matter can serve to make up physical structures that support the biochemical activities of life.

Life is only possible with molecules that intercept and transform energy from one form to another. Life also requires molecules that contain and provide the physical and chemical environment necessary for those energy transforming processes.

As molecules are formed and reformed by chemical and biochemical reactions within an ecosystem, the atoms that compose them are not changed or lost. Matter can thus be conserved within an ecosystem, and atoms and molecules can be used and reused or cycled within ecosystems.

Atoms and molecules move through ecosystems under the influence of both physical and biological processes. The pathways of a particular type of matter through the earth’s ecosystem comprise a material cycle (may also be referred to as biogeochemical cycle or nutrient cycle).

The living world depends on the flow of energy and the circulation of matter through ecosystems. Both influence the abundance of organisms, the rate of their metabolism, and the complexity and structure of the ecosystem. Energy and matter flow through the ecosystem together as organic matter; one cannot be separated from the other (Fig. 5.14).

The link between energy and matter begins in the process of photosynthesis. Solar energy is utilized in the fixation of CO 2 into organic carbon compounds. Organic matter, the tissues of plants and animals, is composed not only of carbon, but a variety of essential nutrients.

There are two types of material Cycle—the gaseous cycle and the sedimentary cycle. In the gaseous cycle, the element or compound can be converted to a gaseous form, diffuse through the atmosphere, and they arrive over land or sea, to be reused by the biosphere, in a much shorter time.

The primary constituents of living matter—carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen—all move through gaseous cycle. In the sedimentary cycle, the compound or element is released from rock by weathering, then follows the movement of running water either in solution or as sediment to the sea.

Eventually, by precipitation and sedimentation these materials are converted into rock. When the rock is uplifted and exposed to weathering the cycle is completed (Fig. 5.15).

Essay # 11. Productivity of Ecosystem:

The productivity of an ecosystem refers to its au­totrophs or primary producer’s ability to produce organic matter, normally in the form of organic materials. As such, it depends upon the level of photosynthesis, which in turn reflects the levels of available solar energy (light), temperature, mois­ture, nutrients and carbon dioxide.

Productivity can be expressed as either gross or net primary produc­tivity. Gross primary productivity (GPP) is a mea­sure of the total amount of energy fixed by the primary producers.

Net primary productivity (NPP) is the GPP minus respiration (the amount of energy converted to heat or used in life pro­cesses by the producers):

NPP = GPP – respiration.

The NPP is the rate of accumulation of liv­ing material, in a given area, over a certain period of time and is normally expressed, in gms per square meter per year (g/sq.m/yr.) The produc­tivity varies widely with different ecosystem conditions (Biomass). The details of productivity in major terrestrial ecosystems (biomes) are given in Table 4.3.

Essay # 12. Conservation and Management of Ecosystem:

Human activities, specially habitat destruction for agriculture, industrialisation and urbanisation, the introduction of non-endemic or alien species, and air, water and land pollution have caused a large number of plant animal extinctions. This situation compelled to make conservation and management of ecosystems.

Management of ecosystems repre­sents people’s attempts to effect change in plant and animal systems, which may be beneficial and constructive, rather than destructive to their envi­ronment. However, for successful management, it is necessary to fully understand the workings of ecosystems, the likely causes and effects of change and the concept of sustainable yield. Several na­tional and international actions was undertaken for protection of ecosystem vis-a-vis species and habi­tats protection.

These are as follows:

1. International and national conservation legis­lations implementation (Table 4.7).

2. The creation of protected habitats.

3. The establishment of a global monitoring sys­tem of endangered species.

Related Articles:

• Productivity in Ecosystem
• Biological Nitrogen Cycle: (With Diagram) | Ecosystem

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Essay on ecosystem | environment.

Here is a compilation of essays on ‘Ecosystem’ for class 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. Find paragraphs, long and short essays on ‘Ecosystem’ especially written for school and college students.

Essay on Ecosystem

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Essay Contents:

• Essay on the Ecological Habitat

1. Essay on the Meaning of Ecosystem:

The term an ecosystem is originally defined by Tansley (1935). An ecosystem is defined as the network of interactions among organisms, and between organisms and their environment they can come in any size but usually encompass specific, limited spaces although according to some scientists the entire planet is an ecosystem or an ecosystem is defined as a complex, dynamic community of organisms including plants, animals and micro-organisms that all interact among themselves as well as with the environment that they live in.

An ecosystem consists of the biological community that occurs in some locale, and the physical and chemical factors that make up its non-living or abiotic environment. All living organisms are a part of both a biotic community and an ecosystem.

Ecosystems are what sustain both humans and animals, providing them with energy, nutrients, oxygen, water and shelter, among other things. Ecosystems don’t have strict boundaries or sizes; they can range from something as small as a dead tree stump to something as large as the ocean.

2. Essay on the Concept of Ecosystem:

There are many examples of ecosystems a pond, a forest, and grassland. The study of ecosystems mainly consists of the study of certain processes that link the living, or biotic, components to the non-living, or abiotic, components. Energy transformations and bio-geochemical cycling are the main processes that comprise the field of ecosystem ecology. Ecology generally is defined as the interactions of organisms with one another and with the environment in which they occur.

Studies of individuals are concerned mostly about physiology, reproduction, development or behavior, and studies of populations usually focus on the habitat and resource needs of individual species, their group behaviors, population growth, and what limits their abundance or causes extinction. Studies of communities examine how populations of many species interact with one another, such as predators and their prey, or competitors that share common needs or resources.

These functional aspects include such things as the amount of energy that is produced by photosynthesis, how energy or materials flow along the many steps in a food chain, or what controls the rate of decomposition of materials or the rate at which nutrients are recycled in the system.

3. Essay on the Functions of an Ecosystem:

Ecosystem function is the capacity of natural processes and components to provide goods and services that fulfill human needs, either directly or indirectly. Ecosystem functions are conceived as a subset of ecological processes and ecosystem structures. Each function is the result of the natural processes of the total ecological sub­system of which it is a part.

Natural processes, in turn, are the result of complex interactions between biotic (living organisms) and abiotic (chemical and physical) components of ecosystems through the universal driving forces of matter and energy.

There are four primary groups of ecosystem functions:

(i) Regulatory functions,

(ii) Habitat functions,

(iii) Production functions and

(iv) Information functions

(i) Regulatory Functions:

This group of functions relates to the capacity of natural and semi-natural ecosystems to regulate essential ecological processes and life support systems through bio-geochemical cycles and other biospheric processes. In addition to maintaining the ecosystem (and biosphere health), these regulatory functions provide many services that have direct and indirect benefits to humans (i.e., clean air, water and soil, and biological control services).

(ii) Habitat Functions:

Natural ecosystems provide refuge and a reproduction habitat to wild plants and animals and thereby contribute to the (in situ) conservation of biological and genetic diversity and the evolutionary process.

(iii) Production Functions:

Photosynthesis and nutrient uptake by autotrophs converts energy, carbon dioxide, water and nutrients into a wide variety of carbohydrate structures which are then used by secondary producers to create an even larger variety of living biomass.

This broad diversity in carbohydrate structures provides many ecosystem goods for human consumption, ranging from food and raw materials to energy resources and genetic material.

(iv) Information Functions:

Since most of human evolution took place within the context of an undomesticated habitat, natural ecosystems provide an essential ‘reference function’ and contribute to the maintenance of human health by providing opportunities for reflection, spiritual enrichment, cognitive development, recreation and aesthetic experience.

4. Essay on the Components of an Ecosystem:

There are two types of components that make up an ecosystem’s characteristics:

(A) Abiotic and

(B) Biotic.

Biotic components are made up of living factors. Abiotic components are made up of all non-living factors.

Energy, water, nitrogen and soil minerals are other essential abiotic components of an ecosystem. The energy that flows through ecosystems is obtained primarily from the sun. It generally enters the system through photosynthesis, a process that also captures carbon from the atmosphere.

(A) Abiotic Components :

These factors are non-living like light, temperature, water, atmospheric gases, wind as well as soil (edaphic) and physiographic (nature of land surface).

Abiotic factors may be abbreviated as SWATS (Soil, Water, Air, Temperature, Sun light):

I.  Sunlight:

Sunlight is a major part of abiotic conditions in an ecosystem. The sun is the primary source of energy on our planet. Light energy (sunlight) is the primary source of energy in nearly all ecosystems. It is the energy that is used by green plants (which contain chlorophyll) during the process of photosynthesis; a process during which plants manufacture organic substances by combining inorganic substances.

Visible light is of the greatest importance to plants because it is necessary for photosynthesis. Factors such as quality of light, intensity of light and the length of the light period (day length) play an important part in an ecosystem.

(i) Quality of Light (Wavelength or Colour):

Plants absorb blue and red light during photosynthesis. In terrestrial ecosystems the quality of light does not change much. In aquatic ecosystems, the quality of light can be a limiting factor. Both blue and red light are absorbed and as a result do not penetrate deeply into the water. To compensate for this, some algae have additional pigments which are able to absorb other colours as well.

(ii) Light Intensity:

The intensity of the light that reaches the earth varies according to the latitude and season of the year. The southern hemisphere receives less than 12 hours of sunlight during the period between the 21st March and the 23rd of September, but receives more than 12 hours of sunlight during the following six months.

(iii) Phototropism:

Phototropism is the directional growth of plants in response to light where the direction of the stimulus determines the direction of movement; stems demonstrate positive phototropism i.e. they came towards the light when they grow.

II.  Temperature:

The distribution of plants and animals is greatly influenced by extremes in temperature for instance the warm season. The occurrence or non-occurrence of frost is a particularly important determinant of plant distribution since many plants cannot prevent their tissues from freezing or survive the freezing and thawing processes.

Temperature controls the rate of microbial respiration; the higher the temperature, the faster microbial decomposition occurs. It also affects soil moisture, which slows microbial growth and reduces leaching. Temperature also affect decomposition freezing temperatures kill a soil microorganism, which allows leaching to play a more important role in moving nutrients around.

Temperature also plays a key role in ecosystems with hot climates allowing rapid growth, high surface animals, and cold climates leading to more spherical, fatty animals as well as slower growth and reproduction. Habitats vary widely as a result of temperature too. Plants and bacteria also have to have particular features that allow for survival in extreme climates of temperatures.

III. Water:

In aquatic eco systems water perform many important environmental functions Water availability is an abiotic factor of ecosystems. Living things need water to survive and how plentiful or scarce water is affects the necessary water cycle of evaporation, condensation and precipitation. Oceans, rivers or streams are key components of an ecosystem and the many forms of life that live there.

The freshwater ecosystem itself is made up of biotic and abiotic elements and depends on them equally as well. Water quality is another factor, with important metabolic functions subject to water ingredients like zinc and iron that become poisonous with low- quality water.

IV. Weather:

Meteorology or weather conditions considered abiotic component are temperature, wind velocity, solar insulation, humidity and precipitation. The most important of these is climate. Climate determines the biome in which the ecosystem is embedded. Rainfall patterns and temperature seasonality determine the amount of water available to the ecosystem and the supply of energy available.

The statistical and seasonal variation of these factors influences the habitat. Weather directly controls the biotic component i.e. Vegetation as well as animals. Climate features such as rain, wind and temperature play a large part also in the way an ecosystem has to work. Rain provides necessary water for photosynthesis and so its quantity will determine just how many photosynthetic organisms can survive in an environment, the predators of those organisms, as well as the types.

Soil conditions that affect ecosystems are the granularity, chemistry and nutrient content and availability. These soil conditions interact with precipitation to cause change. Although animal remains dead organic material such as are considered abiotic.

Air levels define how strong and sturdy the organisms in an ecosystem are, and which habitats must be in existence for them to survive. Low wind levels allow for weaker more feeble organisms that reproduce rapidly to survive. In windy areas, many plants use it as an advantage and make countless spores that will be carried to other plants and pollinate.

Air quality plays an important part because pollution can contribute to carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide degrading circulatory or pulmonary function. Air pollution can also disrupt the process of photosynthesis.

VII. Topography:

Topography also controls ecosystem processes by affecting things like micro-climate, soil development and the movement of water through a system. This may be the difference between the ecosystem present in wetland situated in a small depression on the landscape, and one present on an adjacent steep hillside Micro-topographic elements mix with meteorology barriers to affect plant growth and selection in a given area.

Topography, soil type and precipitation shape surface run-off and limit the ability of animals to build burrows and nests and affects the way predators and prey are able to hunt and hide from each other.

(i) Altitude:

This has effects on climate and so has various effects according to what climate factors it affects.

(ii) Slope:

The organisms on a flat land compared to a hilly one will have different movement muscles to one another. This is because some muscles are say, evolved for forward propulsion (calf muscles) whilst others for lifting the leg (thigh muscles).

(iii) Aspect:

This is the direction that the land is facing (in relation to the sun) and so has its relevance to temperature, wherein for example, an environment that faces generally away from the sun will be cooler.

VIII. Tolerance Range:

Abiotic factors are particularly important to new or barren or unpopulated ecosystems. This is because the abiotic factors of the unpopulated system sets the stage for how well a given species will be able to live, thrive and reproduce there. Each organism’s ability to survive in a set of abiotic conditions is known as the tolerance range.

(B) Biotic Components :

Biotic components mean related to life. These are living factors. Plants, animals’, insects, fungi and bacteria are all biotic or living factors. Each biotic factor needs energy to do work and food for proper growth.

There are three types of organisms that live in a biotic community are producers, consumers and decomposers. The members of a biotic community are inter-dependent in that they all depend on one another in some way for their survival. This inter-dependence is essential for stability of biotic community.

They can be further sub-divided into autotrophs (producers) and heterotrophs (consumers) that include herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores, detritivores (decomposers).The biotic characteristics are mainly determined by the organisms that occur. For example, wetland plants may produce dense canopies that cover large areas of sediment or geese may graze the vegetation leaving large mud flats.

Aquatic environments have relatively low oxygen levels, forcing adaptation by the organisms found there. For example, many wetland plants must produce aerenchyma to carry oxygen to roots.

Other biotic characteristics are more subtle and difficult to measure, such as the relative importance of competition, mutualism or predation. There are a growing number of cases where predation by coastal herbivores including snails, geese and mammals appears to be a dominant biotic factor.

(i) Autotrophic Organisms:

Autotrophic organisms are producers i.e. autotrophs. They convert the solar energy into food from photosynthesis (the transfer of sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into energy).They generate organic compounds from inorganic material. Algae use solar energy to generate biomass from carbon dioxide and are possibly the most important autotrophic organisms in aquatic environments.

Of course, the more shallow the water, the greater the biomass contribution from rooted and floating vascular plants. These two sources combine to produce the extraordinary production of estuaries and wetlands, as this autotrophic, biomass are converted into fish, birds, amphibians and other aquatic species.

Chemosynthetic bacteria are also referred as autotrophs. They found in benthic marine ecosystems. These organisms are able to feed on hydrogen sulphide in water. Height concentrations of animals that feed on these bacteria are found around volcanic vents.

(ii) Heterotrophic Organisms:

Heterotrophic organisms consume autotrophic organisms and use the organic compounds in their bodies as energy sources and as raw materials to create their own biomass. Heterotrophs are further divided into herbivore, carnivore, omnivore and decomposer on the basis of source of nutrition.

Herbivores are also named as primary consumers. Caterpillars, rabbit, grasshopper etc. are plant eater. They withdraw their nutrition from green plants. Energy transferred from plants have occurred.

Carnivores are named as secondary consumer. Consumers, i.e. heterotrophs: e.g. animals, they depend upon producers (occasionally other consumers) for food. Animals that feed on primary consumers are (carnivores) secondary consumers. Blackbird, frogs, Meat eaters, feed upon the herbivores, fewer in number than primary consumers. Their energy transfers have occurred, more chance for energy to be lost via respiration, excretion etc.

Omnivores are named as tertiary consumer or deversivores hawks, fox, dog, humans etc. are omnivores. Animals that feed on secondary consumers are omnivores ortretiary consumers. They have two sources of food, because eat both plants and animals.

Decomposers, i.e. detritivores: e.g. fungi and bacteria, they break down chemicals from producers and consumers usually after death into simpler form .They convert macro molecules into micro molecules by enzymatic activity.

Each of these (Producer, Primary consumer, Secondary consumer, Tertiary consumer and Decomposer) constitutes a trophic level. The sequence of consumption of nutrition from plant to herbivore, herbivore to carnivore in the forms a food is called chain. Real systems are much more complex than these organisms will generally feed on more than one form of food, and may feed at more than one trophic level.

Carnivores may capture some prey which is part of a plant-based trophic system and others that are part of a detritus-based trophic system (a bird that feeds both on herbivorous grasshoppers and earthworms, which consume detritus). Euryhaline organisms are salt tolerant and can survive in marine ecosystems, while stenohaline or salt intolerant species can only live in freshwater environments.

5. Essay on the Ecological Pyramid:

The descriptive device used to explore the trophic structure of an ecosystem is called a trophic pyramid. The purpose of a trophic pyramid is to graphically represent the distribution of biomass or energy among the different trophic levels of the ecosystem. An ecological pyramid (also trophic pyramid) is a graphical representation designed to show the number of organisms, biomass or biomass productivity and energy transferred at each trophic level in a given ecosystem.

Charles Elton developed the concept of ecological pyramid. After his name these pyramids are also called as Eltonian pyramids. Ecological pyramids begin with producers on the bottom (such as plants) and proceed through the various trophic levels (such as herbivores that eat plants, then carnivores that eat herbivores, then carnivores that eat those carnivores, and so on). The highest level is the top of the food chain.

a. Pyramid of Biomass:

Biomass is the amount of living or organic matter present in an organism. Biomass pyramids show how much biomass is present in the organisms at each trophic level, while productivity pyramids show the production or turnover in biomass. The total amount of living or organic matter in an ecosystem at any time is called ‘Biomass’.

An ecological pyramid of biomass shows the relationship between biomass and trophic level by quantifying the amount of biomass present at each trophic level of an ecological community at a particular moment in time.

“Pyramid of biomass is the graphic representation of biomass (total amount of living or organic/ dry matter in an ecosystem) present per unit area of different trophic levels, with producers at the base and top carnivores at the tip”. Typical units for a biomass pyramid could be grams per meter, or calories per meter. The pyramid of biomass may be ‘inverted’ or upright.

b. Inverted Pyramid:

When smaller weight of producers supports larger weight of consumers an inverted pyramid of biomass is formed. In an aquatic habitat the pyramid of biomass is inverted or spindle shaped where the biomass of trophic level depends upon the reproductive potential and longevity of the member.

In a pond ecosystem, the phytoplanktons are the major producers, at any given point. This phytoplankton will be lower than the mass of the heterotrophs, such as fish and insects. This is explained as the phytoplanktons reproduce very quickly, but have much shorter individual lives.

c. Upright Pyramid :

When larger weight/biomass of producers support the smaller weight of consumers (primary, secondary and onwards) an upright pyramid of biomass is resulted. In forest or terrestrial ecosystem plants or producer have maximum dry weight while primary consumer depends upon them have low dry weight as compared to them. Secondary and tertiary consumer also show loss in dry weight successively. Thus, the pyramid of biomass in a terrestrial ecosystem is upright.

d. Pyramid of Number:

Ecosystem community may be represented in terms of number of organism. When the relationships among the number of producers, primary consumers (herbivores), secondary consumers (carnivore of order 1), tertiary consumers (carnivore of order 2) and so on in any ecosystem, it forms a pyramidal structure called the pyramid of number. “Pyramid of numbers is the graphic representation of number of individuals per unit area of various trophic levels stepwise with producers forming the base and top carnivores the tip”. The shape of this pyramid varies from ecosystem to ecosystem.

There are three types of pyramid of numbers :

e. Upright Pyramid :

In aquatic and grassland ecosystem numerous small autotrophs support lesser herbivores which support further smaller number of carnivores and hence the pyramidal structure is upright.

In forest ecosystem lesser number of producers support greater number of herbivores who in turn support a fewer number of carnivores. Thus number or organism producer to herbivore increase, while herbivore to carnivore and carnivore to successive trophic level number of organism decrease.

f. Inverted Pyramid :

In parasitic food chain, one primary producer support numerous parasites which support still more hyper parasites therefore number of organism at each trophic level increase. In a parasitic food chain, for e.g., an oak tree, the large tree provides food to several herbivorous birds. The birds support still larger population of ecto­parasites leading to the formation of an inverted pyramid.

g. Pyramid of Energy :

The pyramid of numbers and pyramid of biomass have their limitations because they provide information only on the quantity of organic matter available at a particular time but not on the productivity and turnover time.

The pyramid of energy is drawn after taking into consideration the total quantity of energy utilized by the trophic levels in an ecosystem over a period of time. As the quantity of energy available for utilization in successive trophic levels is always less because there is loss of energy in each transfer, the energy pyramid will always be upright.

“Pyramid of energy is a graphic representation of the amount of energy trapped per unit time and area in different trophic level of a food chain with producers forming the base and the top carnivores at the tip”.

Pyramid of energy is always upright. It is so because at each transfer about 80 – 90% of the energy available at lower trophic level is used up to overcome its entropy and to perform metabolic activities. Only 10% of the energy is available to next trophic level (as per Lindemann’s ten percent rule).

When a large tree support larger number of herbivorous birds which in turn are eaten by carnivorous birds like falcon and eagle, which are smaller in number, it forms a spindle shaped pyramid.

6. Essay on the Productivity of an Ecosystem:

In ecology, productivity or production is refers to the rate of synthesis or production of biomass in an ecosystem. It is usually expressed in units of mass per unit surface (or volume) per unit time, for instance grams per square meter per day (g m 2 d 1 ).

The mass unit may relate to dry matter or to the mass of carbon generated. Productivity of autotrophs such as plants is called primary productivity, while that of heterotrophs such as animals is called secondary productivity.

A. Primary Production:

Primary production is the synthesis of new organic material from inorganic molecules such as H 2 O and CO 2 . It is dominated by the process of photosynthesis which uses sunlight to synthesise organic molecules such as sugars, although chemosynthesis represents a small fraction of primary production.

Organisms responsible for primary production include land plants, marine algae and some bacteria (including cyanobacteria).The controlling factors of primary productivity are intensity of light, temperature, moisture, air and nutrients.

Ecosystem Productivity:

Tropical regions every day and temperate regions during the growing season receive some 8,000 to 10,000 kilocalories (kcal) of energy each day on each square meter (1 m 2 ) of surface. A kilocalorie is the amount of heat needed to warm 1 kg of water 1 degree Celsius (°C). Because all of the light trapped in photosynthesis is ultimately released as heat, it makes sense to follow the flow of energy through ecosystems in units of heat.

Primary production is the production of organic matter from inorganic carbon sources. Overwhelmingly, this occurs through photosynthesis. The energy incorporated through this process supports life on earth, while the carbon makes up much of the organic matter in living and dead biomass, soil carbon and fossil fuels.

It also drives the carbon cycle, which influences global climate via the greenhouse effect. The process of photosynthesis, plants capture energy from light and use it to combine carbon dioxide and water to produce carbohydrates and oxygen. The photosynthesis carried out by all the plants in an ecosystem is called the gross primary production (GPP).

About 48-60% of the GPP is consumed in plant respiration. The remainder, that portion of GPP that is not used up by respiration, is known as the net primary production (NPP). Total photosynthesis is limited by a range of environmental factors.

These include the amount of light available, the amount of leaf area a plant has to capture light (shading by other plants is a major limitation of photosynthesis), rate at which carbon dioxide can be supplied to the chloroplasts to support photosynthesis, the availability of water, and the availability of suitable temperatures for carrying out photosynthesis.

(a) Gross Productivity:

Gross productivity is the amount of energy trapped in organic matter during a specified interval at a given trophic level. The table shows the use of visible sunlight is a cattail marsh. The plants have trapped only 2.2% of the energy falling on them.

However, at least half of this (2.2%) is lost by cellular respiration as the plants run their own metabolism.

(b) Net Productivity:

Net productivity is the amount of energy trapped in organic matter during a specified interval at a given trophic level less that lost by the respiration of the organisms at that level.

The table shows representative values for the net productivity of a variety of ecosystems both natural and managed. These values are only representation and are show fluctuations because of variations in temperature, fertility, and availability of water.

The productivity of an ecosystem is defined as the rate at which radiant energy (solar energy) is stored by photosynthetic and chemosynthetic activity of green plants (autotrophs) in the form of organic substances which can be used as food materials. In other words, the productivity of an ecosystem refers to the rate of production i.e. the amount of organic matter accumulated in any unit time.

This Primary productivity is of two types:

1. Gross Primary Productivity:

Gross primary productivity is the total rate of photosynthesis including the living matter used up.

2. Net Primary Productivity:

Net primary productivity is the rate of storage of organic materials in plant bodies in excess of respiratory utilization by plants. In other words, the net photosynthesis for an entire community is its net primary productivity.

This is the amount of stored chemical energy (biomass) that the communities synthesize for the ecosystem. Biomass is the net dry weight of organic material; it is biomass that feeds the food chain.

B. Secondary Production:

Secondary production is the generation of biomass of heterotrophic (consumer) organisms in a system. This is driven by the transfer of organic material between trophic levels, and represents the quantity of new tissue created through the use of assimilated food.

Secondary production is sometimes defined to only include consumption of primary producers by herbivorous consumers. (With tertiary production referring to carnivorous consumers), but is more commonly defined to include all biomass generation by heterotrophs. Organisms responsible for secondary production include animals, protists, fungi and many bacteria.

Secondary production can be estimated through a number of different methods including increment summation, removal summation, the instantaneous growth method and the Allen curve method. Secondary productivity is the rate of energy storage at consumer level.

C. Net Productivity:

Means the rate of storage of organic matter not used by any consumer. Such organic matters are not consumed by any consumer it is utilized by decomposer. The carbon and nutrients in dead organic matter are broken down by a group of processes known as decomposition.

This releases nutrients that can then be re-used for plant and microbial production, and returns carbon dioxide to the atmosphere (or water) where it can be used for photosynthesis. In the absence of decomposition, dead organic matter would accumulate in an ecosystem and nutrients and atmospheric carbon dioxide would be depleted. Approximately 90% of terrestrial NPP goes directly from plant to decomposer.

Decomposition processes can be separated into three categories leaching, fragmentation and chemical alteration of dead material. As water moves through dead organic matter, it dissolves and carries with it the water-soluble components.

These are then taken up by organisms in the soil, react with mineral soil, or are transported beyond the confines of the ecosystem (and are considered “lost” to it). Newly shed leaves and newly dead animals have high concentrations of water- soluble components, and include sugars, amino acids and mineral nutrients. Leaching is more important in wet environments, and much less important in dry ones.

Fragmentation processes break organic material into smaller pieces, exposing new surfaces for colonization by microbes. Freshly shed leaf litter may be inaccessible due to an outer layer of cuticle or bark, and cell contents are protected by a cell wall. Newly dead animals may be covered by an exoskeleton.

Fragmentation processes, which break through these protective layers, accelerate the rate of microbial decomposition. Animals fragment detritus as they hunt for food, as does passage through the gut. Freeze-thaw cycles and cycles of wetting and drying also fragment dead material.

The chemical alteration of dead organic matter is primarily achieved through bacterial and fungal action. Fungal hyphae produce enzymes which can break through the tough outer structures surrounding dead plant material. They also produce enzymes which break down lignin, which allows to them access to both cell contents and to the nitrogen in the lignin. Fungi can transfer carbon and nitrogen through their hyphal networks and thus, unlike bacteria, are not dependent solely on locally available resources.

Decomposition rates vary among ecosystems. The rate of decomposition is governed by three sets of the physical factors environment (temperature, moisture and soil properties), the quantity and quality of the dead material available to decomposers, and the nature of the microbial community itself.

Temperature controls the rate of microbial respiration; the higher the temperature, the faster microbial decomposition occurs. It also affects soil moisture, which slows microbial growth and reduces leaching. This can be especially important as the soil thaws in die spring, creating a pulse of nutrients which become available.

According to Odum, there are three main levels of productivity on the earth’s surface:

(1) Regions of die highest fertility and productivity, which comprise shallow water areas, moist forest, alluvial plains and fertile cropped lands.

(2) Grasslands, shallow lakes and most agricultural lands.

(3) Areas of lowest productivity such as arctic lands, deserts and ocean deeps.

Pyramid of Productivity :

An ecological pyramid of productivity is often more useful, it show the production or turnover of biomass at each trophic level. Instead of showing a single snapshot in time, productivity pyramids show the flow of energy through the big-food chain. Typical units would be grams per meter per year or calories per meter per year. This graph begins with producers at the bottom and places higher trophic levels on top.

When an ecosystem is healthy, this graph produces a standard ecological pyramid. This is because in order for the ecosystem to sustain itself there must be more energy at lower trophic levels than there is at higher trophic levels.

This allows for organisms on the lower levels to not only maintain a stable population, but to also transfer energy up the pyramid. The exception to this generalization is when portions of a food web are supported by inputs of resources from outside of the local community.

When energy is transferred to the next trophic level, typically only 10% of it is used to build new biomass, becoming stored energy and most of them used in metabolic processes. As such, in a pyramid of productivity each step will be 10% the size of the previous step (100, 10, 1, 0.1, and 0.01).

The advantages of the pyramid of productivity are:

(i) It takes account of the rate of production over a period of time.

(ii) Two species of comparable biomass may have very different life spans.

Therefore their relative biomass is misleading, but their productivity is directly comparable.

An ecological pyramid of numbers shows graphically the population of each level in a food chain.

7. Essay on Energy Flow in an Ecosystem:

In an ecosystem Biotic components are connected to each other, Producer synthesize organic matter after using sun light, these organic matter also fulfill nutritional requirement of all types of consumer. Energy enters the biological system as light energy, or photons, is transformed into chemical energy in organic molecules by cellular processes including photosynthesis and respiration, and ultimately is converted to heat energy. This energy is dissipated, meaning it is lost to the system as heat; once it is lost it cannot be recycled.

Without the continued input of solar energy, biological systems would quickly shut down. Thus the earth is an open system with respect to energy. The organic matter transferred from producer to consumer in the form of food. Food is the source of energy and energy in the form of food transferred from producer to consumer. Such transfer is named as energy flow.

The carbon and energy incorporated into plant tissues (net primary production) is either consumed by animals while the plant is alive, or it remains uneaten when the plant tissue dies and becomes detritus. The transformations of energy in an ecosystem begin first with the input of energy from the sun.

Energy from the sun is captured by the process of photosynthesis. Carbon dioxide is combined with hydrogen (derived from the splitting of water molecules) to produce carbohydrates (CHO). Energy is stored in the high energy bonds of adenosine triphosphate or ATP. In terrestrial ecosystems, roughly 90% of the NPP ends up being broken down by decomposers.

The remainder is either consumed by animals while still alive and enters the plant-based trophic system, or it is consumed after it has died, and enters the detritus-based trophic system. In aquatic systems, the proportion of plant biomass that gets consumed by herbivores is much higher. In trophic systems photosynthetic organisms are the primary producers.

The organisms that consume their tissues are called primary consumers or secondary producers’ herbivores. Organisms which feed on microbes (bacteria and fungi) are termed microbivores. Animals that feed on primary consumers carnivores are secondary consumers.

Each of these constitutes a trophic level. The sequences of consumption of energy are from plant to herbivore, herbivore to carnivore that forms a food chain. Carnivores may capture some preys which are part of a plant-based trophic system and others that are part of a detritus-based trophic system (a bird that feeds both on herbivorous grasshoppers and earthworms, which consume detritus).

The frog represents a node in an extended food web. The energy ingested is utilized for metabolic processes and transformed into biomass. This energy flow diagram illustrates that energy is lost as it fuels the metabolic process that transforms the energy and nutrients into biomass.

An expanded three link energy food chain (1. plants, 2. herbivores, 3. carnivores) illustrating the relationship between food flow diagrams and energy transformity. The transformity of energy becomes degraded, dispersed, and diminished from higher quality to lesser quantity as the energy within a food chain flows from one trophic species into another.

It is so because at each transfer about 80 – 90% of the energy available at lower trophic level is used up to overcome its entropy and to perform metabolic activities. Only 10% of the energy is available to next trophic level (as per Lindemann’s ten percent rule).

Abbreviations: I = input, A=assimilation, R = respiration, NU = not utilized, P = production, B = biomass.

8. Essay on Food Chain and Food Web :

Food chains were first introduced by the African-Arab scientist and philosopher Al-Jahiz in the 9th century and later popularized in a book published in 1927 by Charles Elton, which also introduced the food web concept. A food chain is a linear sequence of links in a food web starting from a species that eats other species. A food chain shows you which animal eats which in a simple line. Most food chains have no more than four or five links.

There cannot be too many links in a single food chain because the animals at the end of the chain would not get enough food (and hence energy) to stay alive. Most animals are part of more than one food chain and eat more than one kind of food in order to meet their food and energy requirements.

These interconnected food chains form a food web. In a food chain, energy is passed from one link to another. When herbivore eats, only a fraction of the energy (that it gets from the plant food) becomes new body mass- the rest of the energy is lost as waste or used up by the herbivore to carry out its life processes.

Therefore, when the herbivore is eaten by a carnivore, it passes only a small amount of total energy (that it has received) to the carnivore. Of the energy transferred from the herbivore to the carnivore, some energy will be “wasted” or “used up” by the carnivore. The carnivore then has to eat many herbivores to get enough energy to grow.

A food chain differs from a food web, because the complex polyphagous network of feeding relations are aggregated into trophic species and the chain, only follows linear monophagous pathways. A common metric used to quantify food web trophic structure is food chain length.

In its simplest form, the length of a chain is the number of links between a trophic consumer and the base of the web and the mean chain length of an entire web is the arithmetic average of the lengths of all chains in a food web.

Food chains are directional paths of trophic energy or, equivalently, sequences of links that start with basal species, such as producers or fine organic matter and ends with consumer organisms.

The food chain length is a continuous variable that provides a measure of the passage of energy and an index of ecological structure that increases in value counting progressively through the linkages in a linear fashion from the lowest to the highest trophic (feeding) levels. Food chains are often used in ecological modeling.

Food chain varies in length from three to six or more levels. Ex:

1. A food chain consisting of a flower, a frog, a snake and an owl consists of four levels;

2. A food chain consisting of grass, a grasshopper, a rat, a snake and finally a hawk consists of five levels.

Producers, such as plants, are organisms that utilize solar energy or heat energy to synthesize starch. All food chains start with a producer. Consumers are organisms that eat other organisms. All organisms in a food chain, except the first organism, are consumers.

9. Essay on the Ecological Habitat :

Habitat is an ecological or environmental area that is inhabited by a particular species of animal, plant, or other type of organism. It is the natural environment in which an organism lives, or the physical environment that surrounds (influences and is utilized by) a species population.

An area of land or water occupied by an organism, a group of a single species, a biocenosis, or a synousia and possessing all conditions required for its existence (climate, topography, soil, food).The habitat of a species is defined as the total area within the species’ range of distribution that satisfies the species’ ecological requirements. The habitat of a population is the part of the species’ habitat that will guarantee the existence of a population.

The habitat of an individual is the actual area occupied by a given individual in all phases of its development. The habitats of many species vary with the stage of development in the organism’s life cycle. The part of the habitat for a species occupies for a limited time only (a season, a part of a day) or for a particular purpose (feeding, reproduction) is called a station. The habitat of a biocenosis is called a biotope.

(i) Microhabitat :

The term microhabitat is often used to describe small-scale physical requirements of a particular organism or population.

(ii) Monotypic Habitat :

The monotypic habitat occurs in botanical and zoological contexts, and is a component of conservation biology. In restoration ecology of native plant communities or habitats, some invasive species create monotypic stands that replace and/or prevent other species, especially indigenous ones, from growing there.

A dominant colonization can occur from retardant chemicals exuded, nutrient monopolization, or from lack of natural controls such as herbivores or climate, that keep them in balance with their native habitats.

(iii) Ecological Niche:

The word literally means a specific place however the ecologist use it for the habitat along with the role a species or population plays in its ecosystem.

“Ecological niche means the total interaction of a species with in the environment or its functional position or status in an ecosystem.”

In ecology, a niche is a term describing the way of life of a species. Each species is thought to have a separate, unique niche. The ecological niche describes how an organism or population responds to the distribution of resources and competitors (e.g., by growing when resources are abundant, and when predators, parasites and pathogens are scarce) and how it in turn alters those same factors (e.g., limiting access to resources by other organisms, acting as a food source for predators and a consumer of prey).

The majority of species exist in a standard ecological niche. A premier example of a non-standard niche filling species is the flightless, ground-dwelling kiwi bird of New Zealand, which exists on worms, and other ground creatures, and lives its life in a mammal niche. Island biogeography can help explain island species and associated unfilled niches.

(iv) Grinnellian Niche:

The word “niche” is derived from the Middle French word nicher, meaning to nest. The term was coined by the naturalist Joseph Grinnell in 1917, in his paper “The niche relationships of the California Thrasher.” The Grinnellian niche concept embodies the idea that the niche of a species is determined by the habitat in which it lives. In other words, the niche is the sum of the habitat requirements that allow a species to persist and produce offspring.

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Short Paragraph Essay On Ecosystem For Students

Learn about the importance of Ecosystem, its components and how human activities can impact the balance and stability of an ecosystem. Discover ways to protect and preserve ecosystem for future generations.

Table of Contents

Short Paragraph On The Ecosystem In English For Students

Ecosystems are complex, interconnected networks of plants, animals, and microorganisms that interact with each other and with their physical environment. They can be simple, like a rain forest or a coral reef, or complex, like the human body.

Ecosystems offer many advantages to humans. They clean air and water, produce food, raw materials, and medicines , and support leisure activities. They also play an important role in regulating the earth’s climate.

Humans are destroying ecosystems at an alarming rate. Deforestation, over fishing, climate change, and pollution lead to species extinctions and the collapse of ecosystems.

The Importance of the ecosystem

Ecosystems play an important role in regulating the earth’s climate.

Humans are degrading ecosystems at an alarming rate due to deforestation, over fishing, climate change, and pollution, leading to species extinctions and the collapse of ecosystems. We must work together to protect our ecosystems before it’s too late!

A rain forest is a great example of an ecosystem. It’s a complex network of plants, animals, and microorganisms that interact with each other and their physical environment. The rain forest provides many benefits to humans.

Essay On Ecosystem

An ecosystem is a community of living and nonliving things that interact with each other in a specific environment. It includes plants, animals, microorganisms, and the physical environment, such as soil, water, and air.

One of the most important components of an ecosystem is biodiversity, which refers to the variety of living organisms in an area. Biodiversity plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance and stability of an ecosystem. For example, a diverse population of plants and animals helps to control pests and diseases, and can also improve soil health and water quality.

However, human activities such as pollution, deforestation, and over fishing can have a negative impact on ecosystems. These activities can lead to the loss of biodiversity, and can also cause changes in the physical environment that can disrupt the balance of an ecosystem.

It is important for us to take steps to protect and preserve ecosystems. This can include reducing pollution and protecting endangered species, as well as preserving natural habitats such as wetlands and forests. By taking these steps, we can help to ensure that ecosystems remain healthy and resilient for future generations.

FAQ: On Ecosystem

Q: What is an ecosystem?

A: An ecosystem is a community of living and nonliving things that interact with each other in a specific environment.

Q: What is biodiversity?

A: Biodiversity refers to the variety of living organisms in an area.

Q: How does biodiversity impact an ecosystem?

A: Biodiversity plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance and stability of an ecosystem. A diverse population of plants and animals helps to control pests and diseases, and can also improve soil health and water quality.

Q: How do human activities impact ecosystems?

A: Human activities such as pollution, deforestation, and over fishing can have a negative impact on ecosystems. These activities can lead to the loss of biodiversity, and can also cause changes in the physical environment that can disrupt the balance of an ecosystem.

Q: What can be done to protect and preserve ecosystems?

A: It is important to take steps to protect and preserve ecosystems. This can include reducing pollution and protecting endangered species, as well as preserving natural habitats such as wetlands and forests. By taking these steps, we can help to ensure that ecosystems remain healthy and resilient for future generations.

Hello! Welcome to my Blog StudyParagraphs.co. My name is Angelina. I am a college professor. I love reading writing for kids students. This blog is full with valuable knowledge for all class students. Thank you for reading my articles.

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The Biome and Ecosystem Concepts and Importance Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
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With the increasing dangers of human activity on wildlife and nature around the world, the issues of ecological and ecosystem longevity and sustainability have become of significant importance. Understanding the particularities of distinctive biomes and ecosystems allows for identifying their strengths and weaknesses, informing research-based and policy-making decisions. In particular, this paper covers the tropical rainforest biome and Amazon Rainforest as an ecosystem to identify its keystone species, endangered species, and invasive species and their impact. The tropical rainforest biome includes areas with dense vegetation, continuous rains, and a hot climate. Amazon Rainforest is a large tropical rainforest area in South America, “hosting a high diversity of plants, animals, and microorganisms” (Pedrinho et al., 2019, p. 1). Overall, it is claimed that knowledge about the particularities of these species in the Amazon Rainforest ecosystem might be helpful in mitigating destructive processes and maintaining the sustainable functioning of the ecosystem.

The interaction between the biological components of biomes and ecosystems is essential since it predetermines species’ longevity and provides favorable conditions for their compatible existence. Amazon Rainforest is an ecosystem that is characterized by a great variety of species. An example of a keystone species, or one which plays a pivotal role in the functioning of this ecosystem, is Aechmea Distichantha. It is a tank bromeliad that dominates the areas of the Amazon Rainforest and successfully coexists with other species (Freire et al., 2021). The reason why this species is important to the Amazon Rainforest ecosystem is that it interacts with numerous plant and animal species, “including trophic and non-trophic interactions” (Freire et al., 2021, p. 286). Since it provides food and protection to other species in the ecosystem, this characteristic defines it as a keystone species.

One example of invasive species in the Amazon Rainforest Ecosystem is Vismia guianensis. This species is a rough perennial plant highly competitive and strong in its habitat (da Costa et al., 2019). According to da Costa et al. (2019), Vismia guianensis has invaded Amazon Rainforests due to the deforestation of this ecosystem for agricultural purposes. With its development, this species has become competitive with cultures and wild plants, thus obtaining a privilege in light, water, and nutrition perception, endangering the natural species. To eliminate the negative impact of this invasive species, public awareness and research have been initiated to find future solutions for protecting native species.

Deforestation and the involvement of humans in the ecosystem of the Amazon Rainforest endanger some species by forcing their probable extinction. One of the examples of endangered species of the analyzed ecosystem is Lontra longicaudis. According to Rheingantz et al. (2021), this is a Neotropical Otter species found predominantly in the habitats of South America. The species is endangered by the ecological problems of deforestation, pollution, and natural resource extraction. Research efforts have been applied to identify the causes of endangerment and possible solutions.

In conclusion, the tropical forest biome and the Amazon Rainforest ecosystem are large areas of the planet that have their particular species that coexist and enable the ecosystem’s functioning. It has been identified that one of the keystone species of the Amazon Rainforest is Aechmea distichantha, the invasive species is Vismia guianensis, and the endangered species is Lontra longicaudis. This evidence suggests prioritizing measures for protecting the endangered and keystone species to mitigate negative impacts and ensure sustainable development of the ecosystem.

da Costa, W. A., de Lima, C. E. P., de Sousa, S. H. B., de Oliveira, M. S., Bezerra, F. W. F., da Cruz, J. N., Silva, S. G., Cordeiro, R. M., Rodrigues, C. C., de Carvalho, A. R. B., Bezerra, P. N., Sarges, P. A. A., Pereira, D. S., Filho, A., & de Carvalho Junior, R. N. (2019). Invasive species in the Amazon .

Freire, R. M., Montero, G. A., Vesprini, J. L., & Barberis, I. M. (2021). Review of the interactions of an ecological keystone species, Aechmea distichantha Lem . (Bromeliaceae), with the associated fauna . Journal of Natural History, 55 (5-6), 283-303.

Pedrinho, A., Mendes, L. W., Merloti, L. F., Da Fonseca, M. D. C., Cannavan, F. D. S., & Tsai, S. M. (2019). Forest-to-pasture conversion and recovery based on an assessment of microbial communities in Eastern Amazon rainforest. FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 95 (3), 1-10.

Rheingantz, M. L., Rosas-Ribeiro, P., Gallo-Reynoso, J., Fonseca da Silva, V. C., Wallace, R., Utreras, V., & Hernández-Romero, P. (2021). Lontra longicaudis . The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2021.

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Environment Essay In English For School Students

Everything that lives and exists on Earth is considered part of the environment, whether it resides on land or in water. Explore more about it with the environment essay provided here.

November 19, 2023

Table of Contents

Environment Essay: Ever think about how everything around us, like the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the trees and animals, all work together to make life awesome? Well, sometimes, we’re not taking very good care of our planet, and that’s causing problems like pollution and climate change. So, these essays are like cool guides to help us understand what’s going on. We’ll talk about things like planting trees, using less energy, and why it’s super important for all of us to take care of our planet together. Let’s learn, have fun, and make our world a better place.

Long and Short Environment Essay in English

A Clean environment is essential for a peaceful and healthful life. Unfortunately, our surroundings are progressively becoming polluted due to human negligence. This is a matter that everyone, especially our children, should be aware of. The ensuing essays on the environment are crafted with simple language to assist kids and children in completing their school projects or essay writing competitions. The goal is to make the content easily understandable, fostering awareness and understanding of environmental issues among children.

Environment Essay in 100 words

The surroundings we inhabit encompass everything, from living organisms to non-living elements. This environment, vital for sustaining life on Earth, furnishes the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we consume. It is also a nurturing ground for a rich variety of plant and animal species. Unfortunately, human actions have caused environmental deterioration, marked by issues such as pollution and deforestation. Taking on the responsibility to foster a sustainable environment is imperative for the well-being of our planet and the prosperity of generations to come. It is to honour, adopt and integrate sustainable practices into our daily lives. 

Environment Essay 150 words

Below is an Environment Essay in 150 words.

The environment includes the backdrop of our living space, comprising the air, water, soil, plants, and animals. It is a complex web of interconnected ecosystems that support life on Earth. Unfortunately, human activities such as industrialization, deforestation, and pollution have taken a toll on the environment. The increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere contribute to climate change, affecting weather patterns and causing global warming.

Conserving the environment is crucial for the well-being of present and future generations. We must promote sustainable practices, reduce our carbon footprint, and protect biodiversity. Planting trees, reducing waste, and using renewable energy sources are simple steps we can take to contribute to a healthier environment.We should all contribute to the well-being of the planet by making decisions that promote its health.We can do this by using things that don’t harm the environment and by being mindful of how we live each day. 

Environment Essay 200 words

The environment is a delicate balance of various elements that sustain life on Earth. It includes the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere. These components work together to create a suitable habitat for a diverse range of organisms. However, human activities have disrupted this balance, leading to environmental problems such as pollution, deforestation, and climate change.

Pollution is a major threat to the environment. Air pollution, caused by the release of harmful gases and particles into the atmosphere, affects the quality of the air we breathe. Water pollution, resulting from the discharge of pollutants into water bodies, poses a threat to aquatic life and human health. Soil pollution, caused by the accumulation of toxic substances in the soil, affects plant growth and can contaminate the food we eat.

Deforestation, the clearing of forests for agriculture and urbanization, contributes to habitat loss and the decline of biodiversity. Climate change, driven by the increase in greenhouse gas emissions, leads to rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and disruptions in ecosystems.

To address these challenges, it is essential for individuals and communities to adopt sustainable practices. This includes reducing the use of fossil fuels, conserving water, practicing responsible waste management, and supporting conservation efforts.

Environment Essay 250 words

Below is an Environment Essay in 250 words.

The environment is a complex and interconnected system that sustains life on Earth. It encompasses the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere. Each of these components plays a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance that allows diverse forms of life to thrive.

The atmosphere, composed of gases such as nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide, creates a protective layer around the Earth. However, human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, release large amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This leads to the enhanced greenhouse effect, trapping heat and causing a rise in global temperatures. The consequences of climate change include melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and more frequent and severe weather events.

The hydrosphere includes all water bodies on Earth, from oceans and rivers to lakes and groundwater. Water pollution, primarily caused by industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, and improper waste disposal, threatens the health of aquatic ecosystems and the availability of clean water for human consumption.

The lithosphere, or the Earth’s solid outer layer, is essential for supporting plant and animal life. Deforestation, driven by the expansion of agriculture and urban areas, results in habitat loss and the depletion of biodiversity. Soil erosion, caused by unsustainable farming practices, further degrades the quality of the land.

The biosphere comprises all living organisms, from microscopic bacteria to towering trees and majestic animals. Biodiversity, the variety of life on Earth, is essential for the stability and resilience of ecosystems. However, human activities, including overexploitation, habitat destruction, and pollution, have led to a significant loss of biodiversity.

Environment Essay in 300 words

The environment is a precious gift that sustains life on Earth. It encompasses the air we breathe, the water we drink, the soil that nourishes plants, and the diverse ecosystems that support a variety of species. However, the rapid pace of industrialization, urbanization, and modern lifestyles has taken a toll on our environment, leading to various environmental issues.

Air pollution is a pressing concern, with emissions from vehicles, industrial facilities, and other sources releasing pollutants into the atmosphere. These pollutants, including carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter, have detrimental effects on air quality and human health. Respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases, and other health issues are linked to prolonged exposure to air pollution.

Water pollution is another critical issue affecting our environment. Industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, and improper waste disposal contaminate water bodies, posing a threat to aquatic life and endangering the availability of clean water for human consumption. The pollution of rivers, lakes, and oceans has far-reaching consequences, impacting ecosystems and the livelihoods of communities dependent on water resources.

Deforestation, driven by the expansion of agriculture and logging, leads to the loss of vital forest ecosystems. Forests play a crucial role in regulating climate, providing habitat for countless species, and maintaining biodiversity. The destruction of forests contributes to habitat loss, soil erosion, and an increase in greenhouse gas emissions.

Climate change is a global phenomenon resulting from the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes contribute to the release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The consequences of climate change include rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and more frequent and severe weather events.

To address these environmental challenges, there is an urgent need for collective action at local, national, and global levels. Individuals can contribute by adopting sustainable practices in their daily lives, such as reducing energy consumption, conserving water, and minimizing waste. 

Environment Essay in 400 words

The environment, comprising the air, water, soil, and ecosystems, is the foundation of life on Earth. However, human activities have placed immense pressure on this delicate balance, leading to widespread environmental degradation. It is imperative that we recognize the severity of the issues at hand and make concerted efforts to mitigate the impacts for the sake of our planet and future generations.

Air pollution, a consequence of industrialization and the burning of fossil fuels, poses a severe threat to both the environment and human health. The release of pollutants such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere leads to the formation of smog and acid rain. This not only degrades air quality but also harms plant life and contributes to respiratory diseases in humans.

Water pollution is another critical concern that demands immediate attention. The discharge of industrial effluents, agricultural runoff containing pesticides and fertilizers, and improper waste disposal contaminate rivers, lakes, and oceans. This pollution not only endangers aquatic ecosystems but also compromises the availability of clean water for human consumption. The impact of water pollution extends beyond immediate health concerns, affecting the livelihoods of communities dependent on water resources for agriculture and other activities.

Deforestation, driven by the clearing of forests for agriculture, logging, and urbanization, has far-reaching consequences. Forests are vital for maintaining biodiversity, regulating climate, and providing habitat for countless species. The loss of forests contributes to habitat destruction, soil erosion, and a decline in biodiversity. Moreover, the reduction of forested areas exacerbates the effects of climate change, as trees play a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.

Climate change, fueled by the increase in greenhouse gas emissions, is perhaps the most significant environmental challenge we face today. The burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, trapping heat and causing a rise in global temperatures. This leads to melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and more frequent and intense weather events. The consequences of climate change are far-reaching, affecting ecosystems, agriculture, and the livelihoods of communities around the world.

To address these environmental challenges, a multifaceted approach is required. Individuals must embrace sustainable practices in their daily lives, such as reducing energy consumption, minimizing waste, and supporting eco-friendly initiatives. Governments play a pivotal role in enacting and enforcing environmental policies that promote sustainable development, regulate pollution, and protect natural habitats.

The environment is a precious and interconnected system that sustains life on Earth. The challenges we face, including air and water pollution, deforestation, and climate change, require urgent and coordinated efforts. By adopting sustainable practices, promoting environmental awareness, and implementing effective policies, we can work towards creating a healthier and more sustainable future for our planet and all its inhabitants. The responsibility to protect and preserve the environment lies with each one of us, and together, we can make a significant impact on the well-being of our planet.

Environment Essay FAQs

The environment includes everything around us, both living and non-living, such as air, water, soil, plants, and animals.

The environment is vital as it provides us with essential resources like air, water, and food, supporting life on Earth.

Environmental threats include pollution (air, water, soil), deforestation, climate change, and loss of biodiversity.

Activities like industrialization, deforestation, and pollution from various sources contribute to harming the environment.

Individuals can protect the environment by adopting sustainable practices, reducing waste, conserving energy, and supporting conservation efforts.

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Essay on Forest in English (150, 200, 250, 500 Words)

Here, we’ve presented essays on “Forest” in 150, 200, 250 & 500 word samples. All the essays will be helpful for students of all classes i.e. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 & class 12.

Table of Contents

Essay on Forest in 150 Words

Introduction.

Forests are vital ecosystems that cover about 31% of the Earth’s land area. They are home to a diverse range of plant and animal species. Forests play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by providing oxygen, storing carbon, and supporting biodiversity. They are also important for human life, offering resources such as timber, medicine, and recreational spaces.

Importance of Forests

Forests provide numerous benefits to the environment and humans. They act as the lungs of the Earth, producing oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide. This helps mitigate the effects of climate change. Forests also help regulate water cycles by absorbing rainfall and releasing it slowly into rivers and streams, reducing the risk of floods and droughts. Furthermore, they offer habitat and food for countless wildlife species, contributing to biodiversity.

In conclusion, forests are essential for sustaining life on Earth. They provide ecological, economic, and social benefits that are indispensable. Protecting and conserving forests should be a priority for everyone. This can be achieved through sustainable practices and awareness about the importance of forests. By doing so, we can ensure that these valuable ecosystems continue to thrive for future generations.

Forest Essay in 200 Words

Forests are crucial ecosystems covering about 31% of the Earth’s land area. They are home to diverse plant and animal species, and they play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance. Forests provide oxygen, store carbon, and support biodiversity, making them indispensable to both the environment and human life.

Environmental Benefits

Forests act as the lungs of the Earth by producing oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide, which helps mitigate climate change. They also regulate the water cycle by absorbing rainfall and slowly releasing it into rivers and streams. This process reduces the risk of floods and droughts. Additionally, forests help prevent soil erosion by stabilizing the soil with their root systems.

Economic Value

Forests are a source of numerous economic benefits. They provide timber for construction and paper production, as well as non-timber products like fruits, nuts, and medicinal plants. Many communities around the world rely on forests for their livelihoods. Sustainable forest management ensures that these resources are available for future generations while maintaining the health of the ecosystem.

Social and Cultural Importance

Forests also hold significant social and cultural value. They offer recreational opportunities such as hiking, camping, and bird-watching, which contribute to human well-being. Many indigenous communities have deep cultural and spiritual connections to forests, viewing them as sacred spaces. These cultural ties underscore the need to preserve forested areas.

In conclusion, forests are essential for sustaining life on Earth due to their environmental, economic, and social benefits. Protecting and conserving forests should be a global priority. Through sustainable practices and increased awareness, we can ensure that these valuable ecosystems continue to thrive. Preserving forests is not just about protecting nature; it is about securing a healthy future for all living beings.

Essay Writing on Forest in 250 Words

Forests are essential components of the Earth’s ecosystem, covering approximately 31% of the planet’s land area. These vast expanses of trees and vegetation are not only home to a wide variety of wildlife but also play a crucial role in sustaining environmental balance and human life. Understanding the importance of forests and the need for their conservation is critical.

Environmental Impact

Forests are vital in combating climate change, absorbing about 2.6 billion tons of carbon dioxide annually, which is roughly one-third of the CO2 released from burning fossil fuels. They also produce oxygen, with a single mature tree providing enough oxygen for up to four people a day. Additionally, forests help regulate global temperatures and weather patterns, demonstrating their critical role in the Earth’s climate system.

Biodiversity

Approximately 80% of the world’s terrestrial animals and plants live in forests. Tropical rainforests, which cover less than 10% of the Earth’s surface, are particularly rich in biodiversity, housing around 50% of all known species. This biodiversity is essential for ecosystem stability and provides valuable genetic resources for agriculture, medicine, and industry.

Economic Significance

Forests contribute significantly to the global economy. The World Bank estimates that forest products contribute over $450 billion to the world economy annually. They provide raw materials like timber and non-timber products such as fruits, nuts, and medicinal plants. Sustainable forest management ensures that these resources are utilized responsibly, supporting local and global economies.

Social and Cultural Value

Forests have immense social and cultural significance. They offer recreational opportunities like hiking, camping, and eco-tourism, which promote mental and physical well-being. Many indigenous communities have lived in harmony with forests for centuries, relying on them for their cultural practices, spirituality, and livelihoods. Recognizing and respecting these connections is vital for conservation efforts.

Threats to Forests

Despite their importance, forests are under threat. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the world loses around 10 million hectares of forest each year due to deforestation, driven by agricultural expansion, logging, and infrastructure development. This loss not only threatens biodiversity but also exacerbates climate change and disrupts livelihoods.

In conclusion, forests are indispensable to our planet’s health and human survival. They provide environmental, economic, and cultural benefits that are vital to life on Earth. Protecting and conserving forests is an urgent task that requires global cooperation and sustainable practices. By valuing and preserving these ecosystems, we can ensure a healthier, more stable future for all.

Writing an Essay on Forest in 500 Words

Forests are an integral part of the Earth’s ecosystem, covering about 31% of the planet’s land area. These lush green expanses are vital for sustaining life, supporting biodiversity, and providing numerous ecological, economic, and social benefits. Their importance extends globally, with specific relevance to countries like India, where forests play a critical role in environmental balance and cultural heritage.

Environmental Significance

Forests are crucial in mitigating climate change. They act as carbon sinks, absorbing approximately 2.6 billion tons of carbon dioxide each year, which is about one-third of the CO2 emissions from fossil fuels. Trees also produce oxygen, essential for human and animal life, with one mature tree generating enough oxygen for up to four people daily. Moreover, forests influence weather patterns and help regulate global temperatures, demonstrating their vital role in maintaining the Earth’s climate system.

Biodiversity Hotspots

Forests are home to around 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity. Tropical rainforests, covering less than 10% of the Earth’s surface, house approximately 50% of all known species. These diverse ecosystems are critical for the survival of countless plant and animal species, many of which are not found anywhere else. The genetic diversity within forests also provides valuable resources for agriculture, medicine, and industry, highlighting the need for their preservation.

Economic Contributions

The economic value of forests is substantial. According to the World Bank, forest products contribute over $450 billion to the global economy annually. They provide essential resources such as timber, paper, and non-timber products like fruits, nuts, and medicinal plants. Sustainable forest management practices ensure that these resources are harvested responsibly, maintaining the health and productivity of forest ecosystems while supporting local and global economies.

Forests offer immense social and cultural benefits. They provide recreational opportunities like hiking, camping, and eco-tourism, which promote physical and mental well-being. Indigenous communities around the world, including in India, have deep cultural ties to forests, viewing them as sacred spaces. These communities rely on forests for their livelihoods, traditions, and spiritual practices. Recognizing and respecting these connections is crucial for effective conservation efforts.

Forests in India

India is home to some of the world’s most diverse forests, covering approximately 21.67% of the country’s land area, according to the India State of Forest Report 2019. Indian forests are categorized into tropical rainforests, tropical deciduous forests, temperate forests, and alpine forests. They support a vast array of wildlife, including endangered species like the Bengal tiger and the Indian elephant. Forests in India also provide livelihoods for millions of people and are integral to the country’s cultural and spiritual life.

Despite their importance, forests face significant threats. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports that the world loses around 10 million hectares of forest annually due to deforestation. In India, deforestation is driven by agricultural expansion, logging, infrastructure development, and mining activities. These activities not only threaten biodiversity but also exacerbate climate change and disrupt the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities.

Conservation Efforts

Efforts to conserve forests are gaining momentum globally and in India. Initiatives such as the United Nations’ REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) program aim to incentivize forest conservation. In India, the government has launched several programs, including the National Afforestation Programme and the Green India Mission, to restore degraded forests and increase forest cover. Community-based forest management practices are also being promoted to involve local communities in conservation efforts.

In conclusion, forests are indispensable to the planet’s health and human survival. They offer crucial environmental, economic, and social benefits that are vital to life on Earth. Protecting and conserving forests is an urgent task that requires global cooperation, sustainable practices, and increased awareness. By valuing and preserving these vital ecosystems, we can ensure a healthier, more stable future for all living beings, honoring the natural heritage that forests represent.

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Essay on Ecosystem

Students are often asked to write an essay on Ecosystem in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Ecosystem

What is an ecosystem.

An ecosystem is like a big family of living things and their home. It includes animals, plants, and even tiny organisms, all living together in one place. This place can be as big as a forest or as small as a puddle.

Parts of an Ecosystem

How ecosystems work.

In an ecosystem, every living thing has a job. This job is called a role. Some animals might eat plants, some might eat other animals, and some might help plants grow.

Ecosystem Balance

Balance is very important in an ecosystem. If one thing changes, it can affect everything else. For example, if there are too many animals and not enough plants, the animals might not have enough to eat.

Types of Ecosystems

Also check:

250 Words Essay on Ecosystem

Understanding ecosystem.

An ecosystem is like a big family. It includes all living things (plants, animals, and organisms) in a certain area, interacting with each other, and also with their non-living environments (weather, earth, sun, soil, climate). Just like in a family, each member has a role to play.

Types of Ecosystem

There are two main types of ecosystems: natural and artificial. Natural ecosystems are made by nature, like forests, lakes, and deserts. Artificial ecosystems are made by humans, like parks and farms.

An ecosystem has two main parts: biotic and abiotic. Biotic means the living things. This includes plants, animals, and other organisms. Abiotic means the non-living things. This includes sunlight, air, water, and soil. Both parts are important for the ecosystem to work well.

Importance of Ecosystem

Protecting our ecosystem.

We need to protect our ecosystems. We can do this by not littering, recycling, and not wasting resources. We can also plant more trees and take care of our animals. By doing these things, we can help keep our ecosystems healthy and happy.

Remember, every action counts. Even small steps can make a big difference in protecting our ecosystems.

500 Words Essay on Ecosystem

Understanding the ecosystem.

An ecosystem is like a big family where different types of plants, animals, and microorganisms live together. They all depend on each other for food and shelter. This is the magic of nature, where everything is connected to everything else.

Parts of the Ecosystem

An ecosystem has two main parts. The first part is the living things, like plants, animals, and microorganisms. This is called the ‘biotic’ part. The second part is the non-living things, like sunlight, water, air, and soil. This is called the ‘abiotic’ part. Both these parts work together to make the ecosystem work.

Energy Flow in the Ecosystem

Importance of ecosystems.

Ecosystems are very important for our planet. They give us many things that we need to live. They give us food, clean water, and fresh air. They also help control the climate and recycle nutrients. Without ecosystems, life on Earth would not be possible.

Threats to Ecosystems

Sadly, many ecosystems are in danger. This is because of things like pollution, over-fishing, and cutting down of forests. These actions can destroy ecosystems and make it hard for plants and animals to survive. This is a big problem, because if the ecosystems are damaged, it can affect all life on Earth.

Protecting our Ecosystems

In conclusion, ecosystems are a vital part of our world. They are like a big family where everything is connected. We must do our best to understand and protect them, for the sake of all life on Earth.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

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Essay on Biodiversity

List of short and long essays on biodiversity, biodiversity essay for kids and school students, essay on biodiversity – essay 1 (150 words), essay on biodiversity: types, importance and conclusion – essay 2 (250 words), essay on biodiversity: with threats and importance – essay 3 (300 words), essay on biodiversity: introduction, importance, decline and steps – essay 4 (400 words), essay on biodiversity – essay 5 (500 words), biodiversity essay for competitive exam and upsc civil services exam, essay on biodiversity: with conclusion – essay 6 (600 words), essay on biodiversity: facts, importance and preservation – essay 7 (750 words), essay on biodiversity in india – essay 8 (1000 words).

Introduction:

Biodiversity also known as biological diversity is the variables that exist among several species living in the ecosystem. These living organisms include marine, terrestrial and aquatic life. Biodiversity aims to understand the positions these organisms occupy in the broader ecosystem.

Importance of Biodiversity:

When there is biodiversity in our ecosystem it translates to a greener environment. This is because plant life thrives in a balanced ecosystem. This invariably affects humans as we consume plants for our survival. Also, a healthy ecosystem can help to reduce the risk of diseases and the way we respond to them.

Increasing Biodiversity:

Some changes could be encouraged to improve biodiversity in our environment.

Some of them are:

1. Stopping penetration of invasive alien species.

2. Using sustainable agricultural methods.

3. Having protected areas for spices to thrive.

4. Having an organic maintenance culture for fertilizers.

Conclusion:

To make the world a safe place for all organisms, we must maintain good health in all the ecosystems. This is the benefit of paying attention to biodiversity.

Diversity is the hallmark of nature. Things exist in different forms which creates diversity. Biodiversity is a significant and desirable variation in plant and animal existence on the surface of the earth. The variation exists due to genetics, species and the ecosystem or the habitat. Biodiversity is an important aspect in the world because it enables the survival and sustainability of living things on earth.

Types of Biodiversity:

The variation in living things has resulted in different types of biodiversity depending on the certain variables. Genetic diversity is due to the genetic components shared by living organisms. The species that have similar genes diverge and they develop differently thus creating biodiversity. Species diversity occurs when a habitat comprises different kinds of living things. Ecological diversity is through the interaction of living things that share common sources of energy in an ecosystem which contributes to biodiversity.

The existence of living things in an ecosystem and the functioning of the ecosystem contribute to the relevance of biodiversity in nature. Through biodiversity, living organisms are able to acquire food and other important resources to sustain their lives. The climate and environmental changes are regulated because of biodiversity. The culture is enriched through biodiversity as it involves existence of several groups of species and people in one environment.

All the three types of biodiversity are important to the existence of living organisms. The ecosystem is the hallmark of diversity because it helps to sustain the lives of diverse living things.

Biodiversity is the variability or the diversity of the different species of life forms. The planet earth is habitat for a wide variety of flora and fauna like plants, animals and other life forms.

What is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity or Biological diversity refers to the variety and variability of living beings on planet earth and it is the degree of variation of life. It represents the wealth of biological assets available on earth and encompasses microorganism, plants, animals and ecosystems such as coral reefs, forests, rainforests, deserts etc.

Threats to Biodiversity:

The growing population, industrialization, technology, etc., all are impacting biodiversity. The increased human activities have been reducing the natural area for plants, animals and other living things. A number of plants and animals have gone extinct because of increased deforestation and other factors. Growing pollution, causing global warming and climate change, is a big threat to biodiversity. The decline in biodiversity would in turn lead to imbalance in the ecosystem and would become a threat to the human race as well as other living organisms.

Different plants and animals are dependent on others to live and keep the natural surroundings in a balanced state. For example, human beings are dependent on various plants and animals for their food, shelter, safety, clothes etc. Similarly, every living species is dependent on some other species. It is, therefore, important to preserve biodiversity in our planet in order to maintain the ecological balance.

Protecting Biodiversity:

As we know, the biodiversity loss is a serious threat for human race, we all should work for maintaining biodiversity, and find out solutions to reduce the biodiversity decline. Since, air pollution and deforestation are major threats to biodiversity, these are the first things that need to be controlled. Government should frame stricter laws and organizations should sensitize people to be concerned about it and contribute their bit.

Biodiversity, also referred to as the biological diversity refers to the diversified form of plants and animals that exists in our planet . It also denotes each and every aspect of the ecosystem such as micro-organisms, coral reefs, rainforests, deserts, forests etc.,

A good balance in biodiversity supports human race and humans on the other hand must ensure to save biodiversity. This essay is going to talk about the importance of biodiversity and the role of human beings in safeguarding the ecosystem.

There are more than 300,000 species of flora that has been identified and there should be many more unidentified varieties. Similarly there must be infinite variety of other species in our Earth and these together form a perfect natural protection for the human race. Biodiversity supports human race in different ways.

Few of them are listed below:

1. Some of the species capture and stores energy and releases it back in the atmosphere for human consumption.

2. Some biological species help in decomposing organic materials and thus acts as a natural recycling agent.

3. Plants and trees help in reducing pollution and maintain the purity of atmospheric air.

4. It is from the biological resources that humans receive food and shelter.

5. The astonishing beauty of biodiversity is the base for tourism industry to flourish.

Decline in Biodiversity:

The Earth’s biodiversity is undergoing a severe decline and this is a great threat to the human race. There are several factors that lead to the decline in biological species, the most significant one being the behavior of human beings.

1. Human beings destroy forests to build houses and offices. Through deforestation humans are actually destroying the natural habitat of many plants and animals.

2. All new scientific inventions are causing harm to the environment. We cannot even find some species of birds today because of the increase in noise pollution.

3. Global warming is another reason for the decline in biodiversity. Some species require specific climate to survive and when the climatic conditions change continuously these species either migrate or become extinct. Decline in the number of coral reefs are a perfect example.

Steps to Be Taken:

The Government and different voluntary organizations must act upon immediately to create awareness among people on environmental issues and its consequences. It is also the responsibility of every common man to save mother Earth by maintaining a rich biodiversity .

If proper care is not taken, the biodiversity of Earth may become extinct one day and if it happens then, humans have to find another planet to live. It’s better to act now before it gets too late.

Biodiversity can be said to mean the extreme importance of a very wide variety of animals and plants that are resident on the planet earth or in a particular habitat. It is very necessary to maintain the level of biodiversity on the earth so that the environmental harmony can be balanced. Biological diversity is another name for biodiversity and is widely the variability or diversity of all the different species of animals and plants on this planet. Having a very high biodiversity is extremely essential to help maintain the surroundings in a state of harmony. Biodiversity can be loosely defined as a variety of fauna and flora that are available in a specific habitat or the planet earth. Biodiversity is largely originated from the terms – species diversity and species richness.

Biodiversity is mainly a united view of the biological varieties. A lot of other words and terms have been at one time or another used to explain diversity. Some of these terms include taxonomic diversity (this comes from a species diversity point of view), ecological diversity (this comes from an ecosystem diversity point of view), morphological diversity (this comes from a genetic diversity point of view) and functional diversity (this comes from the point of view of the functions of the species). Biodiversity gives quite a uniform view of the above discussed biological varieties.

Biological diversity is quite important because its helps maintain the ecological balance in a system. Different animals and plants depend on one another to fulfill all of their needs. For example, we human beings depend on various animals and plants for our clothes, shelter and food. Other species also do the same and depend on a variety of other species to sustain them and provide them with the basics. Biodiversity and its beautiful richness ensure that the earth is fit enough for the survival of each and every one of the organism living on the earth. However, the ever increasing pollution is negatively affecting biodiversity. Quite a lot of animals and plants have gone into extinction as a result of this pollution and a lot more are going to become extinct if proper care is not taken and the pollution of the environment continues to exponentially and this would cause a sharp decline in the biodiversity.

We human beings have to understand how important the maintenance of the immensely rich biodiversity is. Smokes from vehicles causes a high rate of air pollution and this causes harm to a lot of species. The level of pollution in the atmosphere has to be put under control. Water bodies like seas, oceans and rivers are polluted by the release of industrial wastes into the. These wastes are very harmful to the marine organism and life in the water bodies. There is therefore a need to try as much as possible to dispose industrial wastes through other means and methods that do not harm the environment. The industrial wastes can be primarily treated before being disposed into the water properly and safely.

When you are a biology student biodiversity is one of the most important words you can learn. Not only that but it also becomes your lives calling to maintain it. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves before we can understand why it is important, we need to understand what it is.

This term refers to the many different life forms that inhabit the earth at this moment, this includes bacteria, plants, animals and humans and it also refers to their shared environment. Life has manifested itself in many different forms we do not know why exactly but we are certain that they all exist and depend on each other for survival.

Why is biodiversity important?

The answer to this question is more important than just simply stating what biodiversity is. My personal experience as a student has thought me that I learn best when I have an example so I will give you an example of the importance of biodiversity.

The famous Yellowstone Park is a natural reserve and national park but before it was declared as such it was just another forest that man wanted to hunt in. The geographical region had many wolfs inhabiting its plains, for generations they were hunted until they became extinct in the region. After a while, the coyotes began to reproduce as they hade more space and they started hunting the small mammals, which lead to a decrease in the population of eagles in the area but the most significant change came because of the deer. After fifty years of no wolfs in the park the number of roe deer rose and since they had no natural predators, they no longer feared open grasslands. That’s when they started grazing extensively which depleted the grass on the shore of the Yellow stone river and this, in turn, made the soil loos. The river began to take away a lot of soil and to deposit it in other places flooding certain areas while at the same time causing droughts to happen in other places.

Biologists came to the park with a wish to restore its wolf population and after a decade of planning and working they restored one pack to the park. The pack soon made the deer go back to the forest so they could be harder to hunt, the coyote’s population dropped because they couldn’t compete with the wolf, that led to the increase of small rodents which let to the return of carnivores’ grate birds. But above all the grazing on the river edge stopped and after a few years, the Yellowstone river returned to its natural flow.

This story is completely true and I love to use it as an example of the importance of maintaining biodiversity. There are many regions in the world that have similar problems and if we do not do our best to conserve biodiversity, we could be looking at similar or even worst natural catastrophes.

People tend to mass produce and they do this with most things. They will destroy a forest of many thousands of life forms to make a plantation with one single plant, the same is true of animal farming. With our need to be productive all the time we lose sight of the small things that make the system function as whole. Even though an insignificant thing as a bug or a wolf pack might seem the least important for our daily lives once we take them out of the picture, we see that the balance and wealth biodiversity gives to the planet is not something that can be easily compensated.

The genetic, species and ecosystem variability of flora and fauna on earth are known as Biodiversity. For painting what exactly is Biodiversity, we need a large canvas beyond imagination. Such is the volume of the subject. But, the actual meaning and terms are still not clear.

Keeping it very simple and to the point, the term ‘Biodiversity’ comprises of two words. The first word is Bio, and the other one is Diversity. Bio means the forms of life and Diversity means mixture or variety. So, when both the words combine they form a definition like this ‘Biodiversity means various and mixed forms of life on earth.’ The variety of life forms on earth includes plants and animals and their natural habitat.

Facts about Biodiversity:

Digging into the term ‘Biodiversity’ more generously makes us realize that we have over 10,000 species of birds on earth. The amazing number blows everyone’s mind. Insects have a different counting, and their species are in millions. Plants are also a part of this biological system, and hence there are more than 20,000 species of plants.

Even after so many species of plants, animals and insects have specified there are still over millions of species which are not known by anyone. These species cannot be counted under any head as they don’t pursue an identity. The actual picture says that earth is home to almost 50 million species or even more than that. These facts do not conclude the point because one or the other day there may be many new species evolving.

Biodiversity is essential for survival. The importance of Biodiversity not only related to plants, animals and natural habitat. But it also provides us so many natural products such as fibre and timber and the fresh water to carry out our daily lives. Therefore we need to understand the importance of Biodiversity.

1.   The natural and organic resources:

In the happiness of living our lives, we often forget that Biodiversity is a part of nature. We should protect it no matter whatever be the limitations. Mother Nature has provided us with enough resources which are the Biological Resources. These include wood, medicines, food, etc., which are direct blessings of Biological System or by-product of the Biological Systems. Herbs and plants play a vital role in producing medicines. They may get their final touch from the pharmaceutical companies, but the original source is plants which are again a part of Biodiversity.

2. Biodiversity provides fibres:

It is important to know that wool, jute, palms, etc., use to produce various types of fibres after processing which are again part of the Biological Systems. So, if biodiversity does not persist how people will have access to these fibres? Flax plants use for the production of linen, which is extensively using for making clothes. Similarly, Corchorus plants and Agave plants are using for the production of Jute and sisal respectively. These fibres are no doubt essential for the cloth industry. Therefore it becomes our duty to maintain the Biodiversity.

3. Powerful benefits of Biodiversity:

People may not be aware of the importance, but there are many spiritual benefits of biodiversity. Our folk dances, mythology, and history have a deep link with the Biodiversity in one or the other way. Everyone enjoys or experience the Biodiversity in a different format. Biological diversity also contributes to attracting tourists, especially flora and fauna, which is a rare phenomenon in cities. Therefore it is our ethical duty to preserve Biodiversity.

Preserve Biodiversity:

There are different ways in which we can preserve our Biological environment. Biodiversity should be protected by following these ways.

i. People should stop the process of hunting and poaching the animals. They are a part of Biodiversity.

ii. Protection of endangered species and their surroundings.

iii. We need to curb pollution for protecting Biodiversity.

iv. The explosive growth of population is a threat to Biodiversity. So, to maintain the biological balance, we need to have the population growth under control. Otherwise, people will be exploiting natural resources unethically for survival.

All steps must be taken to protect biodiversity. Things may seem difficult in the initial stages but practicing them will lead to genuine results. Creating awareness on environmental issues and the negative impact of the loss of biodiversity will let people understand the inevitable need for biodiversity conservation.

It is our responsibility to protect the endangered species of plant and animals. If one wants to reach their destination, then it is imperative to take the first step. Without taking a step forward, things will never change on their own. To make a better tomorrow, we need to take steps for preserving our very own Biodiversity.

Biodiversity is a term used to refer the different forms of life on the Earth. It also includes the variety of species in the ecosystem. There is an uneven distribution of the biodiversity on the Earth due to the extreme variation of temperatures in different regions. For instance, it is more in regions near the equator due to warm climatic conditions. However, near the pole, the extreme cold and unfavourable weather conditions do not support a majority of life forms. Additionally, changes in climatic conditions on the Earth over a period of time have also led to the extinction of a number of species.

Biodiversity is often defined at different levels depending upon the category of species. For example, taxonomic diversity is used to measure the species diversity level of different forms of life on the Earth. Ecological diversity is a broader term used for the ecosystem diversity. Similarly, functional diversity is a type used to measure diversity based on their feeding mechanisms along with other functions of species within a population.

Distribution:

There is an uneven distribution of biodiversity on the Earth. In fact, it increases from pole to equator. The climatic conditions of a region decide the presence of different species in an area. Not all species can survive in all weather conditions. Moreover, lower altitudes have a high concentration of species as compared to higher altitudes.

The importance of biodiversity does not only lie in the survival of various species of the earth. There is social, cultural as well as the economic importance of it as well. Biodiversity is of extreme importance to maintain the balance of nature. It is vital to maintaining the food chain as well. One species may be the food for another species and various species are linked to each other through this food chain. Apart from this, there is scientific importance of the biodiversity as well. The research and breeding programmes involve the variety of species. If these species cease to exist then such programmes shall not be possible.

Also, most of the drugs and medicine which are vital for the cure of many diseases are also made from many plants and animals. For instance, penicillin is a fungus through which the penicillin antibiotic is extracted.

Another important importance of biodiversity is that it provides food to all including human beings. All the food we consume is either derived from plants or animals such as fishes and other marine animals. They are also the source of new crops, pesticides and source material for agricultural practices.

Biodiversity is also important for industrial use. We get many products such as fur, honey, leather and pearls from animals. Moreover, we get timber for plants which are the basis of the paper we use in our everyday life. Tea, coffee and other drinks along with dry fruits and our regular fruits and vegetables, all are obtained from the various plants.

There is cultural and religious importance of many species as well. Many plants and animals are worshipped in different cultures and religions such as Ocitnum sanctum (Tulsi) which is a plant worshipped by Hindus.

Biodiversity in India:

India ranks among the top 12 nations which have a rich heritage of biodiversity. There are about 350 different species of mammals along with 12000 different species of birds which are found in India. Additionally, there are around 50000 species of insects which have their habitat in our country. There are a wide variety of domestic animals such as cows and buffaloes along with marine life which is found in India. Moreover, India is a land of 10 different biographical regions which include islands, Trans Himalayas, Desert, Western Ghats, Gangetic Plain, Semi-arid zone, Northeastern zone, Deccan Plateau, Coastal islands and the Western Ghats.

The Gradual Decrease:

Not all species which existed in the ancient times exist today as well. For example, dinosaurs used to exist on our planet in older times. But they were not able to adapt to the changing environmental conditions which led to their extinction from the Earth. Similarly, there are many other species which are on the verge of extinction due to the urbanisation and modernisation of the world. With the increase in population, there has been a constant need to reduce the forest areas and make way for new cities. This has led to the reduction in forests which are the natural habitat for many wild animals and plants. Due to this many wild plants have become extinct and there has been an increase in the man-animal conflict as well. Hence there has been a need to conserve the biodiversity so as to maintain the balance of nature.

Initiatives for the Conservation of Biodiversity:

There have been initiatives by the governments all over the world to conserve the existing biodiversity on the earth. For example, there are dedicated national parks which earmark the area for wild animals and plants and reduce human intervention in their lives. There are various wildlife conservation programmes in place to protect the vulnerable and endangered species. For example, Project Tiger is one such measure in place to increase the population of tigers in our country.

There are also many laws in place which make the hunting of endangered and vulnerable animals a punishable offence. At the international level, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) have also initiated many programmes in order to preserve various species.

It is not possible for the human to live all alone on the Earth. Various other life forms are equally important and play their roles in the mutual survival of the various species on the Earth. Each one of species has its own set of contribution for the environment. Already many species have become extinct as they were not able to survive in the changing weather conditions. Hence it is our duty to ensure that our activities do not affect the other flora and fauna on the planet. Although there are a number of steps taken by the government so as to preserve the various life forms, we should also contribute individually towards this cause. If we do not act today, we may yet again witness the extinction of the vulnerable biodiversity which may further disturb the balance of nature.

Biodiversity , Ecosystem , Environment

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Essay on Environmental Pollution

Here we have shared the Essay on Environmental Pollution in detail so you can use it in your exam or assignment of 150, 250, 400, 500, or 1000 words.

You can use this Essay on Environmental Pollution in any assignment or project whether you are in school (class 10th or 12th), college, or preparing for answer writing in competitive exams. 

Topics covered in this article.

Essay on Environmental Pollution in 150-200 words

Essay on environmental pollution in 250-300 words, essay on environmental pollution in 500-1000 words.

Environmental pollution is the contamination of the natural environment by harmful substances, resulting in adverse effects on living organisms and ecosystems. It encompasses air, water, and soil pollution caused by human activities such as industrialization, transportation, and waste disposal.

Pollution poses severe threats to human health and the environment. It leads to respiratory problems, waterborne diseases, and ecosystem disruptions. Air pollution affects air quality, causing respiratory illnesses and contributing to climate change. Water pollution degrades water sources, impacting aquatic life and jeopardizing human access to clean drinking water. Soil pollution affects agriculture and food safety.

Addressing environmental pollution requires collective action. It involves adopting sustainable practices, promoting renewable energy sources, and implementing strict regulations on industrial emissions and waste management. Awareness campaigns and education about environmental conservation are vital to inspire behavioral changes.

Efforts to reduce pollution can help create a healthier and more sustainable environment for future generations. By prioritizing pollution control and embracing eco-friendly practices, we can protect human health, preserve biodiversity, and safeguard the planet’s natural resources.

Environmental pollution refers to the contamination of the natural environment by various pollutants, resulting in harmful effects on living organisms and ecosystems. It is a pressing global issue that poses significant threats to the health and well-being of both humans and the planet.

Various forms of pollution contribute to environmental degradation. Air pollution occurs when harmful gases and particles are released into the atmosphere from industrial activities, transportation, and the burning of fossil fuels. Water pollution occurs when pollutants such as chemicals, sewage, and waste are discharged into rivers, lakes, and oceans, endangering aquatic life and contaminating drinking water sources. Soil pollution occurs when harmful substances like pesticides, heavy metals, and industrial waste contaminate the soil, affecting plant growth and the food chain.

The consequences of environmental pollution are far-reaching. It leads to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and other health issues in humans. It also disrupts ecosystems, causing the decline of plant and animal species, and damaging habitats. Pollution affects the quality of air, water, and soil, posing a threat to biodiversity and the overall balance of nature.

Addressing environmental pollution requires collective efforts from individuals, governments, and organizations. Sustainable practices such as reducing emissions, conserving resources, recycling, and using eco-friendly technologies are crucial in mitigating pollution. Strict regulations and policies need to be implemented to control industrial emissions and ensure proper waste management. Awareness campaigns and education on the importance of environmental conservation can inspire individuals to make conscious choices and adopt environmentally-friendly lifestyles.

In conclusion, environmental pollution poses a significant threat to our planet and its inhabitants. It is imperative that we take immediate and proactive measures to reduce pollution levels and preserve the environment for future generations. By adopting sustainable practices and promoting environmental awareness, we can work towards creating a cleaner and healthier planet for all.

Title: Environmental Pollution – A Global Crisis in Need of Urgent Action

Introduction :

Environmental pollution is a pressing global issue that threatens the health and well-being of both humans and the planet. It refers to the introduction of harmful substances or pollutants into the natural environment, resulting in adverse effects on living organisms and ecosystems. Pollution can take various forms, including air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, and noise pollution. Each of these forms poses unique challenges and impacts different aspects of the environment. Addressing environmental pollution is crucial to protect human health, preserve biodiversity, and ensure the sustainability of our planet.

Air Pollution

Air pollution is one of the most significant forms of environmental pollution. It occurs when harmful gases, particles, and chemicals are released into the atmosphere, primarily as a result of industrial activities, transportation, and the burning of fossil fuels. The main pollutants include carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), particulate matter (PM), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Air pollution poses severe health risks, particularly to vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions. It can cause respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular problems, and even premature death. Additionally, air pollution contributes to climate change, global warming, and the depletion of the ozone layer.

Water Pollution

Water pollution refers to the contamination of water bodies, including rivers, lakes, oceans, and groundwater sources. It occurs when pollutants such as chemicals, sewage, industrial waste, and agricultural runoff are discharged into waterways without adequate treatment. Water pollution not only affects aquatic life but also endangers human health, as polluted water is often used for drinking, irrigation, and recreational activities.

The consequences of water pollution are far-reaching. It leads to the destruction of aquatic ecosystems, the loss of biodiversity, and the contamination of food sources. Waterborne diseases, such as cholera and typhoid, are prevalent in areas with contaminated water supplies. Moreover, the pollution of oceans and seas poses a threat to marine life and can cause widespread ecological damage.

Soil Pollution

Soil pollution occurs when the soil is contaminated by toxic substances, including heavy metals, pesticides, chemicals, and industrial waste. It can result from improper waste disposal, industrial activities, agricultural practices, and mining operations. Soil pollution not only affects plant growth and agricultural productivity but also poses risks to human health through the ingestion of contaminated food.

The impact of soil pollution extends beyond the immediate area of contamination. It can lead to the loss of fertile land, soil erosion, and the disruption of ecosystems. The accumulation of pollutants in the soil can enter the food chain, affecting the quality and safety of agricultural products. Long-term exposure to contaminated soil can lead to various health issues, including cancers, respiratory problems, and neurological disorders.

Noise Pollution

Noise pollution refers to excessive or unwanted noise that disrupts the environment and causes discomfort. It can arise from various sources, including transportation, industrial activities, construction sites, and urbanization. Prolonged exposure to high levels of noise can have detrimental effects on human health, including hearing loss, stress, sleep disturbances, and impaired cognitive function.

Effects on Human Health

Environmental pollution poses significant risks to human health. The inhalation of air pollutants can lead to respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis, and lung cancer. Waterborne diseases caused by contaminated water sources can result in gastrointestinal issues, skin infections, and even death. Exposure to soil pollution can lead to various health problems, including organ damage, developmental disorders, and certain types of cancer. Additionally, noise pollution can have detrimental effects on mental health, leading to stress, anxiety, and sleep disorders.

Impact on Biodiversity and Ecosystems

Environmental pollution also has devastating effects on biodiversity and ecosystems. Air pollution harms plant and animal life disrupts ecosystems, and contributes to the loss of biodiversity. Water pollution affects aquatic habitats, leading to the decline of fish populations, the destruction of coral reefs, and the loss of other marine species. Soil pollution impairs soil fertility and affects the growth and survival of plants, which are the foundation of terrestrial ecosystems. The contamination of land and water by pollutants disrupts natural processes, jeopardizing the delicate balance of ecosystems and leading to ecological imbalances.

Solutions and Mitigation Strategies

Addressing environmental pollution requires a multi-faceted approach involving individuals, communities, governments, and international organizations. Some key solutions and mitigation strategies include:

• Transitioning to clean and renewable energy sources to reduce air pollution and combat climate change.
• Implementing stricter regulations on industrial emissions and promoting sustainable industrial practices.
• Encouraging sustainable agricultural practices that minimize the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers to reduce soil pollution.
• Improving waste management systems, including recycling and proper disposal of hazardous waste.
• Promoting water conservation and implementing effective wastewater treatment methods to reduce water pollution.
• Raising awareness and educating communities about the importance of environmental conservation and responsible behavior.
• Investing in research and technological innovations that support sustainable development and pollution control.

Conclusion :

Environmental pollution is a global crisis that demands immediate and collective action. The consequences of pollution on human health, biodiversity, and ecosystems are severe and far-reaching. By adopting sustainable practices and implementing effective pollution control measures, we can mitigate the impacts of environmental pollution. It requires the commitment and collaboration of individuals, communities, governments, and international entities to address this pressing issue.

Through a combination of policy interventions, technological advancements, and behavioral changes, we can create a cleaner and healthier environment for future generations. It is essential to prioritize sustainable practices, reduce emissions, conserve resources, and promote responsible consumption and production patterns.

Ultimately, the fight against environmental pollution requires a global effort to protect our planet and ensure a sustainable future. By working together, we can preserve the beauty of our natural world, safeguard human health, and create a harmonious coexistence between humans and the environment. It is our collective responsibility to take action today for a cleaner and greener tomorrow.

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✍️Essay on Natural Resources: Samples in 100, 150 and 200 Words 

• Updated on  
• Nov 2, 2023

Wondering about how the resources provided by our planet Earth are depleting? Well, that’s true. We have come to the stage where we should start working towards saving our planet. We humans have used our resources in a humongous quantity. Therefore, it’s time we start working towards saving our planet for our future generations. Today we will provide you with a few samples of essay on natural resources which will help you write on this topic easily. 

Table of Contents

• 1 What are Natural Resources?
• 2 Types of Natural Resources
• 3 Essay on Natural Resources in 100 Words
• 4 Essay on Natural Resources in 150 Words
• 5 Essay on Natural Resources in 200 Words

What are Natural Resources?

Natural Resources are resources which are present in nature independent of human actions. 

These are the resources that are created naturally by the environment, without any help from humans. Soil, stone, sunlight, air, plants, animals, fossil fuels, etc. are all natural resources.

In simple language, natural resources are naturally occurring materials which are useful to humankind. They can also be useful in a variety of ways such as in technological, economic or social contexts. These resources include building, clothing materials, food, water, fertilisers and geothermal energy. Natural resources were traditionally within the purview of the natural sciences.

Also Read: Essay on Save Environment: Samples in 100, 200, 300 Words

Also Read: How to Prepare for UPSC in 6 Months?

Types of Natural Resources

Speaking of the type of natural resources, there are mainly two types of natural resources. These include Renewable and Non-renewable resources. 

Renewable Resources: These are those resources which are endlessly available to humans for several uses. These resources are trees, wind, and water.

Non-Renewable Resources: These resources are available to humans in infinite quantities as they are not renewable and their supply may eventually run out. Minerals and fossil fuels are a few examples.

Also Read: Essay on the Importance of the English Language for Students

Essay on Natural Resources in 100 Words

Natural resources are parts of the natural world that are useful to humans. Renewable resources are those that can be swiftly replenished, these include soil, water, and air., Non-renewable resources are those that need time to recover, such as minerals, oil, natural gas, etc. 

One should note that the survival of all life on Earth depends on natural resources. However, the usage of natural resources in excess use can cause ecosystem disruption. Many nations are taking action these days to protect their natural resources. Natural resources shouldn’t be used for purposes outside our needs. In order to preserve non-renewable resources, we should utilise renewable resources more frequently than non-renewable ones.

Essay on Natural Resources in 150 Words

The organic aspects of nature that contribute to our way of life are known as natural resources. For survival, we rely on natural resources. Natural resources include things like air, water, soil, minerals, crops, etc. Resources like minerals, oil, and other resources are found in non-living organisms and take eons to regenerate. 

The distribution of natural resources is not even. Resources like these are also the primary driver of international trade relations for many nations. However, with time, these natural resources have now been overused by the human mankind beyond their limits. 

However, the unrestricted exploitation of natural resources is a challenge for all nations these days. To control this, a lot of nations are emphasising garbage recycling and employing more renewable resources than non-renewable ones. 

Sustainable development is the use of natural resources for current requirements without wasting them while keeping an eye on the future. It refers to the wise use of natural resources without sacrificing what coming generations will need.

Also Read: Essay on Unity in Diversity in 100 to 200 Words

Essay on Natural Resources in 200 Words

Natural resources are materials found in the environment that humans use to survive.  From the very start, humans have been dependent on these resources. While some of these resources can be restored more rapidly than others, some require more time. Resources like sunlight, water, air, and other renewable resources are readily available and have higher recovery rates than consumption rates.

On the other hand, the formation and processing of non-renewable resources, such as minerals, oil, and natural gas, take a long time. Even the usage rate of these non-renewable resources is higher as compared to the renewable resources. While some natural resources are used immediately, others must first undergo processing.

Even while renewable resources are available in huge quantities, they should also be used responsibly. Both renewable and non-renewable resources require time to be created and processed. Therefore, it is very important for humans to use these resources in a limited quantity and leave some for future generations.

With time, humans are using these resources excessively. With the ever-increasing population, humans have already created a huge impact on the environment. To begin, humans are continuously polluting the air, water and noise. Buildings are being constructed on more land. The land is becoming less valuable in this way. Humans are soon becoming the biggest reason behind depleting natural resources, such as land, water, and air. 

Therefore, we mustn’t undervalue these resources. The moment has come for us to recognise the importance of using these resources sustainably.

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Natural Resources are substances which are naturally obtained from nature. Here are the 5 natural resources: Coal, Oil, Natural Gas, Sand, Gems, and Metals.

Renewable resources are natural resources that can be replenished or regenerated at a rate comparable to the rate at which they are consumed or harvested. For example: Solar energy, Wind energy, Biomass, Geothermal energy, etc.

Conserving and saving natural resources is essential for sustainable development and the preservation of the environment. Here are some easy tips to save natural resources: Implementing the 3Rs in daily life; Adopting energy-efficient practices such as using energy-saving appliances; Reducing water wastage by fixing leaks, using water-efficient appliances, and practising mindful water usage in daily activities, etc.

For more information on such interesting topics, visit our essay-writing page and follow Leverage Edu ! 

Malvika Chawla

Malvika is a content writer cum news freak who comes with a strong background in Journalism and has worked with renowned news websites such as News 9 and The Financial Express to name a few. When not writing, she can be found bringing life to the canvasses by painting on them.

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100 Words Essay on Ecosystem in English

An ecosystem consists of all the organisms and the physical environment with which they interact. Ecosystem is extremely important because of many reasons. It provides habitat to wild plants and animals, it promotes various food chains and food webs, it controls essential ecological processes and promotes lives and is also involved in the recycling of nutrients between biotic and abiotic components. It is a necessity to have knowledge of such and therefore the working of an ecosystem is studied by students by the 6th standard. One should take care of one ecosystem because it regulates life. Through the care, one is benefitted well and good as it provides clean air, good carbon storage, water purification and lots more.

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Environmental Issues Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on environmental issues.

The environment plays a significant role to support life on earth. But there are some issues that are causing damages to life and the ecosystem of the earth. It is related to the not only environment but with everyone that lives on the planet. Besides, its main source is pollution , global warming, greenhouse gas , and many others. The everyday activities of human are constantly degrading the quality of the environment which ultimately results in the loss of survival condition from the earth.

Source of Environment Issue

There are hundreds of issue that causing damage to the environment. But in this, we are going to discuss the main causes of environmental issues because they are very dangerous to life and the ecosystem.

Pollution – It is one of the main causes of an environmental issue because it poisons the air , water , soil , and noise. As we know that in the past few decades the numbers of industries have rapidly increased. Moreover, these industries discharge their untreated waste into the water bodies, on soil, and in air. Most of these wastes contain harmful and poisonous materials that spread very easily because of the movement of water bodies and wind.

Greenhouse Gases – These are the gases which are responsible for the increase in the temperature of the earth surface. This gases directly relates to air pollution because of the pollution produced by the vehicle and factories which contains a toxic chemical that harms the life and environment of earth.

Climate Changes – Due to environmental issue the climate is changing rapidly and things like smog, acid rains are getting common. Also, the number of natural calamities is also increasing and almost every year there is flood, famine, drought , landslides, earthquakes, and many more calamities are increasing.

Above all, human being and their greed for more is the ultimate cause of all the environmental issue.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

How to Minimize Environment Issue?

Now we know the major issues which are causing damage to the environment. So, now we can discuss the ways by which we can save our environment. For doing so we have to take some measures that will help us in fighting environmental issues .

Moreover, these issues will not only save the environment but also save the life and ecosystem of the planet. Some of the ways of minimizing environmental threat are discussed below:

Reforestation – It will not only help in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem but also help in restoring the natural cycles that work with it. Also, it will help in recharge of groundwater, maintaining the monsoon cycle , decreasing the number of carbons from the air, and many more.

The 3 R’s principle – For contributing to the environment one should have to use the 3 R’s principle that is Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Moreover, it helps the environment in a lot of ways.

To conclude, we can say that humans are a major source of environmental issues. Likewise, our activities are the major reason that the level of harmful gases and pollutants have increased in the environment. But now the humans have taken this problem seriously and now working to eradicate it. Above all, if all humans contribute equally to the environment then this issue can be fight backed. The natural balance can once again be restored.

FAQs about Environmental Issue

Q.1 Name the major environmental issues. A.1 The major environmental issues are pollution, environmental degradation, resource depletion, and climate change. Besides, there are several other environmental issues that also need attention.

Q.2 What is the cause of environmental change? A.2 Human activities are the main cause of environmental change. Moreover, due to our activities, the amount of greenhouse gases has rapidly increased over the past few decades.

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What happened in the Kolkata rape case that triggered doctors’ protests?

Activists and doctors in India demand better safeguarding of women and medical professionals after a trainee medic was raped and murdered in Kolkata.

Activists and doctors across India continued to protest on Wednesday to demand justice for a female doctor, who was raped and murdered while on duty in a hospital in the eastern city of Kolkata.

Feminist groups rallied on the streets in protests titled “Reclaim the Night” in Kolkata overnight on Wednesday – on the eve of India’s independence day – in solidarity with the victim, demanding the principal of RG Kar Medical College resign. Some feminist protesters also marched well beyond Kolkata, including in the capital Delhi.

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While the protests were largely peaceful, a small mob of men stormed the medical college and vandalised property. This group was dispersed by the police.

This comes after two days of nationwide protests by doctors following the incident at RG Kar Medical College in West Bengal’s capital city. “Sit-in demonstrations and agitation in the hospital campus will continue,” one of the protesting doctors, identified as Dr Mridul, told Al Jazeera.

Services in some medical centres were halted indefinitely, and marches and vigils shed light on issues of sexual violence, as well as doctors’ safety in the world’s most populous nation.

What happened to the doctor in Kolkata?

A 31-year-old trainee doctor’s dead body, bearing multiple injuries, was found on August 9 in a government teaching hospital in Kolkata.

The parents of the victim were initially told “by hospital authorities that their daughter had committed suicide,” lawyer and women’s rights activist Vrinda Grover told Al Jazeera. But an autopsy confirmed that the victim was raped and killed.

Grover has appeared for victims in sexual violence cases in India in the past, including Bilkis Bano , a Muslim woman who was gang-raped during the 2002 Gujarat riots, and Soni Sori, a tribal activist based in Chhattisgarh state.

Thousands of doctors marched in Kolkata on Monday, demanding better security measures and justice for the victim.

On Tuesday, the Kolkata High Court transferred the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) called for a nationwide halting of elective services in hospitals starting on Monday. Elective services are medical treatments that can be deferred or are not deemed medically necessary.

On Tuesday, FORDA announced on its X account that it is calling off the strike after Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda accepted protest demands.

One of these demands was solidifying the Central Protection Act, intended to be a central law to protect medical professionals from violence, which was proposed in the parliament’s lower house in 2022, but has not yet been enacted.

FORDA said that the ministry would begin working on the Act within 15 days of the news release, and that a written statement from the ministry was expected to be released soon.

Press release regarding call off of strike. In our fight for the sad incident at R G Kar, the demands raised by us have been met in full by the @OfficeofJPNadda , with concrete steps in place, and not just verbal assurances. Central Healthcare Protection Act ratification… pic.twitter.com/OXdSZgM1Jc — FORDA INDIA (@FordaIndia) August 13, 2024

Why are some Indian doctors continuing to protest?

However, other doctors’ federations and hospitals have said they will not back down on the strike until a concrete solution is found, including a central law to curb attacks on doctors.

Those continuing to strike included the Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA), Delhi-based All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and Indira Gandhi Hospital, local media reported.

Ragunandan Dixit, the general secretary of the AIIMS Resident Doctors’ Association, said that the indefinite strike will continue until their demands are met, including a written guarantee of the implementation of the Central Protection Act.

Medical professionals in India want a central law that makes violence against doctors a non-bailable, punishable offence, in hopes that it deters such violent crimes against doctors in the future.

Those continuing to protest also call for the dismissal of the principal of the college, who was transferred. “We’re demanding his termination, not just transfer,” Dr Abdul Waqim Khan, a protesting doctor told ANI news agency. “We’re also demanding a death penalty for the criminal,” he added.

“Calling off the strike now would mean that female resident doctors might never receive justice,” Dr Dhruv Chauhan, member of the National Council of the Indian Medical Association’s Junior Doctors’ Network told local news agency Press Trust of India (PTI).

Which states in India saw doctors’ protests?

While the protests started in West Bengal’s Kolkata on Monday, they spread across the country on Tuesday.

The capital New Delhi, union territory Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow and city Prayagraj, Bihar capital Patna and southern state Goa also saw doctors’ protests.

Who is the suspect in the Kolkata rape case?

Local media reported that the police arrested suspect Sanjoy Roy, a civic volunteer who would visit the hospital often. He has unrestricted access to the ward and the police found compelling evidence against him.

The parents of the victim told the court that they suspect that it was a case of gang rape, local media reported.

Why is sexual violence on the rise in India?

Sexual violence is rampant in India, where 90 rapes were reported on average every day in 2022.

Laws against sexual violence were made stricter following a rape case in 2012, when a 22-year-old physiotherapy intern was brutally gang-raped and murdered on a bus in Delhi. Four men were hanged for the gang rape, which had triggered a nationwide protests.

But despite new laws in place, “the graph of sexual violence in India continues to spiral unabated,” said Grover.

She added that in her experience at most workplaces, scant attention is paid to diligent and rigorous enforcement of the laws.

“It is regrettable that government and institutions respond only after the woman has already suffered sexual assault and often succumbed to death in the incident,” she added, saying preventive measures are not taken.

In many rape cases in India, perpetrators have not been held accountable. In 2002, Bano was raped by 11 men, who were sentenced to life imprisonment. In 2022, the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi authorised the release of the men, who were greeted with applause and garlands upon their release.

However, their remission was overruled and the Supreme Court sent the rapists back to jail after public outcry.

Grover believes that the death penalty will not deter rapists until India addresses the deeply entrenched problem of sexual violence. “For any change, India as a society will have to confront and challenge, patriarchy, discrimination and inequality that is embedded in our homes, families, cultural practices, social norms and religious traditions”.

What makes this case particularly prominent is that it happened in Kolkata, Sandip Roy, a freelance contributor to NPR, told Al Jazeera. “Kolkata actually prided itself for a long time on being really low in the case of violence against women and being relatively safe for women.”

A National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report said that Kolkata had the lowest number of rape cases in 2021 among 19 metropolitan cities, with 11 cases in the whole year. In comparison, New Delhi was reported to have recorded 1, 226 cases that year.

Prime Minister Modi’s governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for dismissing the government in West Bengal, where Kolkata is located, led by Mamata Banerjee of All India Trinamool Congress (AITC). Banerjee’s party is part of the opposition alliance.

Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in parliament, also called for justice for the victim.

“The attempt to save the accused instead of providing justice to the victim raises serious questions on the hospital and the local administration,” he posted on X on Wednesday.

Roy spoke about the politicisation of the case since an opposition party governs West Bengal. “The local government’s opposition will try to make this an issue of women’s safety in the state,” he said.

Have doctors in India protested before?

Roy explained to Al Jazeera that this case is an overlap of two kinds of violence, the violence against a woman, as well as violence against “an overworked medical professional”.

Doctors in India do not have sufficient workplace security, and attacks on doctors have started protests in India before.

In 2019, two junior doctors were physically assaulted in Kolkata’s Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital (NRSMCH) by a mob of people after a 75-year-old patient passed away in the hospital.

Those attacks set off doctors’ protests in Kolkata, and senior doctors in West Bengal offered to resign from their positions to express solidarity with the junior doctors who were attacked.

More than 75 percent of Indian doctors have faced some form of violence, according to a survey by the Indian Medical Association in 2015.

What happens next?

The case will now be handled by the CBI, which sent a team to the hospital premises to inspect the crime scene on Wednesday morning, local media reported.

According to Indian law, the investigation into a case of rape or gang rape is to be completed within two months from the date of lodging of the First Information Report (police complaint), according to Grover, the lawyer.

The highest court in West Bengal, which transferred the case from the local police to the CBI on Tuesday, has directed the central investigating agency to file periodic status reports regarding the progress of the investigation.

The FIR was filed on August 9, which means the investigation is expected to be completed by October 9.

Bengal women will create history with a night long protest in various major locations in the state for at 11.55pm on 14th of August’24,the night that’ll mark our 78th year as an independent country. The campaign, 'Women, Reclaim the Night: The Night is Ours', is aimed at seeking… pic.twitter.com/Si9fd6YGNb — purpleready (@epicnephrin_e) August 13, 2024