Posts

15. Biodiversity , Conservation and environmental issues

-
Image
15. Biodiversity , Conservation and Environment Environmental issues Biodiversity : Variety of life on Earth. ● Includes a vast range of organisms:  Microorganisms, viruses, algae, fungi,  Plants and animals. ● Found in terrestrial and aquatic habitats, along with the ecological complexes they form. Basis of Biodiversity Biodiversity refers to variations among organisms in: ● Size: Microscopic to macroscopic. ● Shape, colour and form. ● Mode of nutrition. ● Type of habitat. ● Reproduction and motility (ability to move). ● Life-cycle duration. How Does Biodiversity Develop? Organisms face different environmental conditions and adapt for survival and perpetuation (continuation of their species). Environmental factors include : • Climatic: Temperature, rainfall, etc. • Edaphic: Soil-related factors. • Topographic: Land features and elevation. • Geographic: Location and distribution. Adaptations develop distinct features in organisms. These differences contribute to biodiversity. ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ecosystem and energy flow

-
Image
Ecosystem 14.1 Introduction 1. Definition of Ecosystem Ecosystem : A self-regulating and self-sustaining structural and functional unit of nature (biosphere). It consists of both: Biotic components: Living organisms (plants, animals and microorganisms). Abiotic components: Non-living factors (air, water, soil, sunlight and temperature). Biotic components interact with one another and with their surrounding environment. A. G. Tansley (1935) coined the term ecosystem . 2. Size of Ecosystems Ecosystems vary greatly in size: Small: A pond or a small farmland. Large: Oceans or villages. The entire biosphere can be considered one global ecosystem, consisting of many local ecosystems. 3. Types of Ecosystems A. Based on Environment 1. Terrestrial Ecosystems (Land) Forest,  Grassland,  Desert 2. Aquatic Ecosystems (Water) Lakes,  Wetlands,  Rivers,  Seas,  Oceans Estuaries (areas where freshwater mixes with seawater). B. Based on Origin 1. Natural Ecosystems  ...
Post a Comment
Read more