New Environment Class 01
INTRODUCTION TO THE SUBJECT (05:10 PM)
- Discussion of the syllabus.
- Carries a good weightage in the prelims stage)Approx 20 questions on average.
- Sources: Class notes and material(MCAR class)
- Prelims question(PYQ) discussed.
APPROACH (06:00 PM)
- Basic concepts should be thoroughly covered.
- Having a genuine curiosity for your surroundings actually matters in the preparation.
ECOLOGY (06:10 PM)
- The sum total of all conditions and influences that affect the development and life of all organisms on the earth in their own surroundings.
- Gaia hypothesis was proposed by James Lovelock in the year 1972 which says the earth is a self-regulating body.
- Ecosystem is a complex relationship between living and non-living components. It is a community with lifeforms in concurrence with non-living components interacting with each other.
- The scientific study of interaction in an ecosystem is called ecology.
- There are two branches in ecology-
- a)Autecology refers to the study of the relationship of individual species with an environment. It is also known as population ecology.
- b)Synecology refers to the study of a group of organisms with multiple species in its relationship with the environment. It is called community ecology.
LEVELS OF ORGANISM (07:10 PM)
- 1)Organism also called an Individual is the basic unit of the study of ecology, It is a living individual of species with the ability to function independently.
- 2)Population-Group of individuals with the same species, functioning as a unit of a biotic community.
- 3)Community- Includes population of different species that live with each other in a habitat.
- 4) Ecosystem is a part of a larger biome, where living organisms interact with each other and with their physical environment.
- 5)Biome-Large regional unit characterised by major vegetation type and associated fauna found in specific climatic zones.Examples: Desert biome, Forest biome, Tundra biome.
- 6)Biosphere is a part of the earth, where life can exist. It is the interaction zone of the lithosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere.
INTERACTIONS (FLOW OF ENERGY) (07:29 PM)
- Explained through diagrams and charts.
- FOOD CHAIN
- It is the chain of organisms existing in any natural community through which energy is transferred.
- Two types of food chain-
- a)Grazing-Begins with green plants(Not necessarily plants) can also begin with phytoplankton-primary producers.
- b)Detritus -Begins with dead matters.
- FOOD WEB
- The network of interconnected food chains so as to form a number of feeding relationships amongst different organisms of the biotic community.It provides stability to the ecosystem.
WILDLIFE (07:57 PM)
- The IUCN red list gives the overall presence of all the organisms present on the planet Earth.
- It covers both plants and animals.
- The region and habitat are important in which region in India it is found and what type of habitat it is.
- IUCN status list, Please refer to the below diagram(As we go rightward in the diagram the risk of extinction increases)
The topic for the next class: the IUCN list continued.
Here are 30 one-line questions with answers based on your notes:
1. What is the average number of environment-related questions in the prelims stage?
Around 20 questions.
2. Who proposed the Gaia Hypothesis, and in which year?
James Lovelock in 1972.
3. What is the Gaia Hypothesis?
It suggests that Earth is a self-regulating body.
4. What is an ecosystem?
A complex relationship between living and non-living components interacting together.
5. What is ecology?
The scientific study of interactions in an ecosystem.
6. What is autecology?
The study of the relationship of individual species with their environment.
7. What is synecology?
The study of groups of organisms from multiple species interacting with the environment.
8. What is the basic unit of ecological study?
The organism, also called an individual.
9. What is a population in ecological terms?
A group of individuals of the same species functioning as a unit of a biotic community.
10. What is a community in an ecosystem?
A group of different species living together in a habitat.
11. What is a biome?
A large regional unit characterized by major vegetation types and associated fauna in specific climatic zones.
12. What is an example of a biome?
Desert biome, forest biome, tundra biome.
13. What is the biosphere?
The part of the Earth where life exists, interacting with the lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere.
14. What is a food chain?
A chain of organisms through which energy is transferred in a natural community.
15. What are the two types of food chains?
Grazing and detritus food chains.
16. What begins a grazing food chain?
Green plants or phytoplankton, as primary producers.
17. What begins a detritus food chain?
Dead organic matter.
18. What is a food web?
A network of interconnected food chains forming a variety of feeding relationships in a biotic community.
19. Why is a food web important for an ecosystem?
It provides stability to the ecosystem.
20. What does the IUCN Red List represent?
The overall presence of organisms, both plants and animals, on Earth.
21. What does the IUCN Red List cover?
Both plants and animals.
22. What factor is important to consider along with the IUCN status?
The region and habitat in which the species are found.
23. What does moving rightward in the IUCN status diagram indicate?
An increased risk of extinction.
24. What is the population in ecological terms?
A group of individuals of the same species living together in a defined area.
25. What is a habitat?
The natural environment where a species lives and thrives.
26. What is an example of a community in ecology?
A forest community with populations of trees, animals, and fungi interacting.
27. What is the interaction zone of the lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere called?
The biosphere.
28. What is the difference between autecology and synecology?
Autecology studies individual species, while synecology studies groups of species interacting.
29. What does the concept of flow of energy in an ecosystem explain?
The transfer of energy through various levels of organisms in an ecosystem.
30. What will be covered in the next class based on the notes?
Continuation of the IUCN Red List.
Q1: How is biodiversity important for ecosystem functioning? (10 Marks/150 Words)
Biodiversity plays a critical role in maintaining the stability, productivity, and resilience of ecosystems. It ensures the availability of a wide range of species that perform vital ecological functions, such as pollination, nutrient cycling, and energy flow. A diverse ecosystem can better withstand environmental stresses like climate change, pests, and diseases due to its varied genetic resources and adaptive capacities. Additionally, biodiversity promotes ecosystem services, such as clean air, water purification, and soil fertility, which are essential for human survival. The presence of multiple species enhances food webs and creates functional redundancies, ensuring that ecosystems continue to operate even if some species are lost. Ultimately, biodiversity is the foundation of ecosystem sustainability, balancing ecological processes and contributing to the overall health of the planet.
Q2: Define an ecosystem and discuss its major components. (10 Marks/150 Words)
An ecosystem is a complex network of interactions between living organisms (biotic components) and their non-living environment (abiotic components). It is a dynamic system where energy flows and materials cycle between organisms and their surroundings. The major components of an ecosystem include:
Biotic Components: These are the living organisms, such as plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms. They can be classified into producers (autotrophs), consumers (heterotrophs), and decomposers.
Abiotic Components: These are the non-living physical and chemical elements like sunlight, temperature, water, soil, and nutrients that support life.
The interaction between these components leads to essential processes such as energy flow through food chains and webs, and nutrient cycling, which sustains life and supports ecosystem balance. Ecosystems vary in size and can range from small ponds to large forests and oceans.
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