CE1400

ENVIRONMENT AND SAFETY ENGINEERING

Lecture-4

Dr. Prateek Khatri

Assistant Professor
Department of Chemical Engineering
National Institute of Technology Rourkela
ENERGY FLOW IN THE ECOSYSTEMS

 Energy is the most essential requirement for all living

organism.
 Solar energy is the only source to our planet earth.
 Solar energy is transformed to chemical energy in the
form of photosynthesis by the plants.
 Though a lot of sunlight falls on the green plants, only
1% of it is utilized for photosynthesis.
 This is the most essential step to provide energy for all
other living organisms in the ecosystem.
Biotic Components
Abiotic Components
Energy Flow: Energy is a
crucial component of Earth's
ecosystem. It flows through
the ecosystem primarily in
the form of solar energy.
Nutrient Cycling: Nutrient
cycling is the process by which
essential elements like carbon,
nitrogen, phosphorus, and others
are recycled within the The Earth as an ecosystem
ecosystem.
Food Webs: Within the
ecosystem, species are
interconnected through complex
food cycles.
 Water Cycle

 Transpiration is the process of

water movement through a plant
and its evaporation from aerial
parts, such as leaves, stems and
flowers.
 It helps regulate a plant's
temperature
 Percolation refers to the movement
of fluids (usually liquids) through
porous materials or substances,
such as soil, rock, or other
permeable materials.
Carbon Sources and sink: Carbon Cycle
Human activities: Human activities,
particularly the burning of fossil fuels, have
significantly increased atmospheric CO2 levels.
Terrestrial Ecosystems: Plants take in
atmospheric CO2 during photosynthesis,
converting it into organic carbon compounds
like carbohydrates.
Oceans: They absorb atmospheric CO2, which
can dissolve in seawater to form carbonic acid.
Marine organisms like phytoplankton
incorporate carbon into their shells and tissues.
Over long periods, these deposits can become
part of the ocean's sediments.
Decomposition: Dead plants and animals are
broken down by decomposers (e.g., fungi and
bacteria), releasing CO2 back into the
atmosphere as they break down organic matter. The Carbon cycle - Online Science Notes
 Nitrogen Cycle

Nitrogen fixation: The cycle

begins with nitrogen fixation,
where atmospheric nitrogen gas
(N2) is converted into ammonia
(NH3) or related compounds by
certain nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
Ammonification: When organisms
die or produce waste, the organic
nitrogen is converted into ammonia
and ammonium ions (NH4+) by
decomposers like bacteria and
fungi.
Nitrification: Ammonium ions are Assimilation: Plants and other primary producers
further transformed into nitrite ions take up nitrate ions from the soil and incorporate
(NO2-) and then into nitrate ions nitrogen into their organic compounds, such as
proteins, nucleic acids, and chlorophyll.
(NO3-) through a two-step process
called nitrification.

https://www.studyacs.com/blog-nitrogen-cycle-37.aspx
Weathering of rocks: Over
long periods, physical and
chemical weathering processes
break down these minerals,
releasing inorganic phosphate
ions (PO43-) into the soil and
water.
Erosion and Transport:
Phosphate ions from weathered
rocks are transported by water,
primarily through runoff, into
rivers, lakes, and oceans.
Biological Uptake: Aquatic
plants, algae, and phytoplankton
in water bodies take up Consumption: Herbivores and omnivores obtain
phosphate ions from the water, phosphorus by consuming plants or other organisms that
incorporating them into organic have assimilated phosphate.
molecules. Geological Uplift: Geological processes like tectonic uplift
can bring phosphorus-containing rocks and sediments to the
Earth's surface, starting the cycle over again.
https://www.sciencefacts.net/phosphorus-cycle.html
Biodiversity
CONCEPT OF BIODIVERSITY

 Bio means life and Diversity means Variety

 Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms
and habitats found in a defined area.
 The term ‘Biodiversity’ was introduced by an
American Biologist Edward Wilson.
 It represents the totality of genes, species and
ecosystem of a given region.
Types of Diversity

1. Genetic Diversity

2. Species Diversity

3. Habitat Diversity/ Ecosystem

Diversity

https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/meaning-of-biodiversity-1440148279-1
Genetic Diversity
 This is the variety of genetic information contained in all
of the individual plants, animals and microorganisms
occurring within populations of species.

 Simply it is the variation of genes within species and

populations.

 Number of genes in different species

 Mycoplasma :450-700 (Class of Bacteria)

 Oryza sativa :32000-50000 (Rice)
 Homo sapiens :35000-45000
https://www.qsstudy.com/geology/genetic-diversity
Species Diversity
 It is the variety of species or the living organisms.
 It is measured in terms of-
 Species Richness - The total count of species in a defined
area.
 Species Abundance - The relative numbers among
species.

 It is possible to classify species on the basis of their

functions
 Functional types: Functional types are those species,
which perform different ecological functions.

 Functional analogues: Functional analogues represent

distinct taxa performing the same or very similar ecological
functions.
 Functional types: perform different ecological functions
Herbivores: Consumers that primarily feed on plants.
Carnivores: Consumers that primarily feed on other animals.
Decomposers: Fungi and bacteria, break down dead organic matter,
recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

 Functional analogues: distinct taxa performing the same or very

similar ecological functions.
Pollination: Bees, butterflies, birds, and bats can all be considered
functional analogues in terms of their role in pollinating plants.
Nitrogen Fixation: Different species of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the
root nodules of leguminous plants can be functional analogues for
providing plants with fixed nitrogen.
Seed Dispersal: Various animals, including birds, mammals, and ants,
can serve as functional analogues for dispersing seeds of plants.
Species Diversity

https://www.qsstudy.com/geology/species-diversity
Ecosystem/Ecological Diversity
• It relates to the variety of habitats, biotic communities and
ecological processes in the biosphere.
• Example: Deserts, rain forests, mangroves, coral reefs,
wetlands, estuary and alpine meadows etc.
• Biodiversity is not distributed evenly on Earth.
• It is the richest in the tropics.
• Terrestrial biodiversity is highest near the equator, due to
warm climate and high primary productivity.
• Marine biodiversity tends to be highest along coasts.
• Biodiversity generally tends to cluster in hotspots, and has
been increasing through time but will be likely to slow in the
future.
https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/meaning-of-biodiversity-1440148279-1
BENEFITS OF BIODIVERSITY
Biodiversity contribute to our material well-being.

Firewood

Construction
Food
material

Benefits of
Biodiversity
Education
Medicines
& Research

Fibre Tourism
Ecosystem services
Ecosystem services are defined as the processes and conditions
of natural systems that support human activity.

 Balance of nature
 Biological productivity
 Regulation of climate
 Degradation of waste
 Purifying air and water
 Cycling of nutrients
 Detoxification of soil and sediments
 Stabilization of land against erosion
 Carbon sequestration and global climate change
 Maintenance of Soil fertility
THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY
Natural causes:
 Narrow geographical area
 Low population
 Low breeding rate
 Natural disasters
Anthropogenic causes:
 Habitat modification
 Overexploitation of selected species
 Invasion by exotic species
 Pollution
 Hunting
 Global warming and climate change
 Agriculture
 Domino effect
In ecosystems, the loss of one species can disrupt the balance
and lead to a cascade of effects, potentially affecting multiple
species and the overall health of the ecosystem.
Loss of Biodiversity

 Due to human activities biological resources have been declining rapidly.

 The colonisation of tropical Pacific Islands by humans led to the extinction of

more than 2,000 species of native birds.

 More than 15,500 species are facing the threat of extinction worldwide.

 At present, 12% of birds, 23% of mammals, and 32% of amphibians face the

threat of extinction
CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY
 Biodiversity inventories
 Conserving Biodiversity in protected Habitats-
 In situ conservation: conservation of species and ecosystems within their
natural habitats (National parks & Reserve forests)
 Ex situ conservation: conservation of biological diversity outside its
natural habitat (removal or relocation of components of biological
diversity (e.g., individual species) to protected settings) (Seed Bank,
Gene Bank, Pollen Bank, DNA Bank)
 Restoration of Biodiversity
 Imparting Environmental Education
 Enacting, strengthening and enforcing Environmental Legislation
 Population Control
 Reviewing the agriculture practice
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/
2015-04/ecowheel_biodiversity.jpg
Reference
1. Rawat U.S and Agarwal N.K, Biodiversity:
Concept, threats and conservation, Environment
Conservation Journal 16(3) 19-28, 2015
Thank you
TYPES OF BIODIVERSITY

Biodiversity

Genetic Species Ecological

Diversity Diversity Diversity
Causes of biodiversity loss

 Habitat loss and fragmentation

 Over-exploitation
 Alien species invasions
 Co-extinctions
 Decline in plant production
 Lowered resistance to environmental perturbations such as
drought
 Increased variability in certain ecosystem processes such as
plant productivity, water use, and pest and disease cycles