TOWARDS A

SUSTAINABLE
WORLD
THE ROLE OF
RECYCLING
WHAT IS AN
ECOSYSTEM ???
An ecosystem is a term that is commonly used in
biology and environmental studies. In general, it is
defined as a system or community that includes all
living organisms and their non-living components in
nature. All of these components work together, either
directly or indirectly, to maintain ecological balance.
TYPES OF ECOSYSTEM
 AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM
What Is Fresh Water Ecosystem ???
The plants, animals, microbes, rocks, soil, sunlight, and water found in and around this valuable resource
are all part of what is called a freshwater ecosystem. Less than three percent of our planet’s water is fresh
water, and less than half of that is available as a liquid; the rest is locked away as ice in polar caps and
glaciers. For these reasons, freshwater ecosystems are a precious resource.

Fresh water starts out as water vapor that has evaporated from the surface of oceans, lakes, and other
bodies of water. When this vapor rises, it leaves salts and other contaminants behind and becomes “fresh.”
The water vapor collects in drifting clouds that eventually release the water back to Earth in the form of
rain or snow.

After fresh water reaches the ground through precipitation, it flows downhill across a landscape called
the watershed to lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and wetlands. But fresh water can be found in less-obvious
places, too. More than half of all fresh water on our planet seeps through soil and between rocks to
form aquifers that are filled with groundwater. The top surface of an aquifer is called the water table, and
this is the depth where wells are drilled to bring fresh water into cities and homes.
 LENTIC

Lentic (stagnant like a pond) ecosystem includes pools, swamps, bogs, lagoons, lakes etc. In this
ecosystem, salinity is less than 5 ppt.
 LOTIC

Lotic (moving like the river) ecosystem includes freshwater streams, springs etc.
 WETLANDS

Wetlands ecosystems are intermediate ecosystems between terrestrial & water habitats (floodplains, littoral,
etc). It is a land area that is saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally.
 MARINE ECOSYSTEM

Oceans cover almost 3/4 of the surface of the Earth. Both the ocean and the coastal ecosystems are
included in this ecosystem. Salinity in this habitat is more than 35 ppt (90 percent Sodium chloride).
Estuaries are part of it (Coastal bays, river mouths, and tidal marshes forms estuaries).
In estuaries, saltwater from the ocean and freshwater from rivers mix together due to the action of the
tides. When compared to the nearby river or sea, estuaries are much more productive. Mangroves and
coral reefs are also part of it.
 TERRISTIAL
ECOSYSTEM
An estimated 148 million km2 (29%) of the earth’s
surface is taken up by terrestrial ecosystems. They
cover a wide range of habitats, including icy polar
regions, scorching tropical deserts, and lush
temperate and tropical rainforests.
Ecosystems are divided into terrestrial (land
ecosystem) and non-terrestrial(non-land ecosystem)
categories by their geographical location. The three
non-terrestrial habitats are aquatic, marine, and
wetlands, whereas the five main terrestrial
ecosystems are desert, forest, grassland, taiga, and
tundra.
 FOREST
ECOSYSTEM
The forests are generally composed of trees and,
a wide range of insects, birds, and mammals. These can
be divided into temperate forests, tropical forests, and
boreal forests. These are distributed across various
latitudes because of which they have distinct climate
conditions.
For example, tropical forests are located near the
equator in warm and humid climates. The temperate
forests are located at higher latitudes witnessing the
distinct seasons. Whereas boreal forests are found at
higher latitudes, which have the coldest and driest
climate with snow being the primary form of
precipitation
 GRASSLAND ECOSYSTEM
Grasslands go by many names. In the United States Midwest, they're often called prairies. In South
America, they're known as pampas. Central Eurasian grasslands are referred to as steppes, while
African grasslands are savannas. What they all have in common are grasses, their naturally dominant
vegetation. Grasslands are found where there is not enough regular rainfall to support the growth of a forest,
but not so little that a desert forms. In fact, grasslands often lie between forests and deserts. Depending on
how they’re defined, grasslands account for between 20 and 40 percent of the world's land area. They are
generally open and fairly flat, and they exist on every continent except Antarctica, which makes them
vulnerable to pressure from human populations. Threats to natural grasslands, as well as the wildlife that live
on them, include farming, overgrazing, invasive species, illegal hunting, and climate change.
 TYPES OF GRASSLAND
TROPICAL TEMPERATE
Tropical grasslands Examples of
include the hot temperate grasslands
savannas of sub- include Eurasian
Saharan Africa and steppes, North
northern Australia. American prairies, and
Argentine pampas.

Rainfall can vary across grasslands from season to season and year to year, ranging from 25.4 too 101.6 centimeters (10 to 40
inches) annually. Temperatures can go below freezing in temperate grasslands to above 32.2 degrees Celsius (90 degrees
Fahrenheit).
The height of vegetation on grasslands varies with the amount of rainfall. Some grasses might be under 0.3 meters (one foot)
tall, while others can grow as high as 2.1 meters (seven feet). Their roots can extend 0.9 to 1.8 meters (three to six feet) deep
into the soil. The combination of underground biomass with moderate rainfall—heavy rain can wash away nutrients—tends to
make grassland soils very fertile and appealing for agricultural use. Much of the North American prairielands have been
converted into land for crops, posing threats to species that depend on those habitats, as well as drinking water sources for
people who live nearby.
GRASSLAND ECOSYSTEM
 PRAIRIES GRASSLAND

Prairies are flat, fertile lands dominated by grasses. Prairie grasses, like these in the U.S. state of Colorado, hold soil firmly in
place, so erosion is minimal. Prairie grass roots are very good at reaching water more than a meter deep, and they can live for
a very long time. Grains are a type of grass, so the prairie grassland is perfect for growing grains like wheat, rye, and oats.
PRAIRIES GRASSLAND
 PAMPAS GRASSLAND

Large stretches of grasslands called the "pampas," in Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil, are similar to the North American
prairie. The pampas are among the chief agricultural areas of South America.
PAMPAS GRASSLAND
PAMPAS GRASSLAND
 STEPPE GRASSLAND

A steppe is a dry, grassy plain. Steppes occur in temperate climates, which lie between the tropics and polar regions.
Steppe, vast grassland, devoid of trees and with little diversity in vegetation, receiving around 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12
inches) of rain per year. The word “steppe” is derived from the Russian word for “flat grassy plain.”
 STEPPE GRASSLAND

Regardless of their location, steppes typically have hot summers and cold winters that divide the year into sharply
contrasting seasons. The amount of rainfall is a key feature, as less water would foster a desert like habitat.
 GRASSLAND ANIMALS

Zebras Wildebeest Gazelles Giraffes

Grasslands support a variety of species. Vegetation on the African savannas, for example, feeds animals
including zebras, wildebeest, gazelles, and giraffes. On temperate grasslands, you might find prairie dogs,
badgers, coyotes, swift foxes, and a variety of birds. There can be up to 25 species of large plant-eaters in a
given grassland habitat, comprising a sort of buffet where different grasses appeal to different species.
 GRASSLAND PLANTS

Red oat grass Rhodes grass Purple Needlegrass Galleta

Themeda triandra Chloris gayana Nassella pulchra

When rainy season arrives, many grasslands become coated with wildflowers such as yarrow (Achiella
millefolium), hyssop, and milkweed. The plants on grasslands have adapted to the drought, fires, and grazing
common to that habitat.
 SAVANNA GRASSLAND

Savanna, vegetation type that grows under hot, seasonally dry climatic conditions and is characterized by an
open tree canopy (i.e., scattered trees) above a continuous tall grass understory (the vegetation layer between
the forest canopy and the ground). The largest areas of savanna are found in Africa, South America, Australia, India,
the Myanmar (Burma)–Thailand region in Asia, and Madagascar.
 SAVANNA GRASSLAND

In general, savannas grow in tropical regions 8° to 20° from the Equator. Savannas may be subdivided into three categories
—wet, dry, and thornbush—depending on the length of the dry season. Among the most-prevalent grasses are species
of bluestem (Andropogon), thatching grass (Hyparrhenia), and kangaroo grass (Themeda). the best-known savanna fauna,
because of its large mammals, is that of Africa.
MOUNTAIN ECOSYSTEM
MOUNTAIN ECOSYSTEM
 MOUNTAIN ECOSYSTEM
Mountain environments have different climates from the surrounding lowlands, and hence the vegetation differs
as well. The differences in climate result from two principal causes: altitude and relief.

Altitude affects climate because atmospheric temperature drops with increasing altitude by about 0.5 to 0.6 °C
(0.9 to 1.1 °F) per 100 metres (328 feet).

The relief of mountains affects climate because they stand in the path of wind systems and force air to rise over
them. As the air rises it cools, leading to higher precipitation on windward mountain slopes (orographic
precipitation); as it descends leeward slopes it becomes warmer and relative humidity falls, reducing the
likelihood of precipitation and creating areas of drier climate (rain shadows).

Latitude also can affect mountain climates. On mountains in equatorial regions winter and summer are
nonexistent, although temperatures at high altitude are low. Above about 3,500 metres frost may form any
night of the year, but in the middle of every day temperatures warm substantially beneath the nearly vertical
tropical sun, thus producing a local climate of “winter every night and spring every day.”
MOUNTAIN ECOSYSTEM
MOUNTAIN ECOSYSTEM
 DESERT ECOSYSTEM

Deserts are extremely dry environments that are home to well-adapted plants and animals.
 DESERT ECOSYSTEM

Artic Willow Cactus & Wildflowers Date Palms

The desert biome covers about one-fifth of Earth’s surface. This biome has a layer of soil that can either be sandy,
gravelly, or stony, depending on the type of desert. Deserts usually get at most 50 centimeters (20 inches) of rainfall
a year, and the organisms that live in deserts are adapted to this extremely dry climate.
The desert plants and animals have specialized features that help prevent dehydration and resist the temperature
extremes of their habitat.
There are two types of deserts found in the world – hot deserts and cold deserts.
 DESERT ECOSYSTEM

Black Tailed Jackrabbit Fennec Fox Camel Kangaroo Rat

Hot deserts experience extremely high temperatures whereas cold deserts experience extremely low temperatures and
even permafrost's. The Sahara Desert, one of the hottest and largest deserts in the world that spans across North Africa,
and countries like Egypt, Morocco, Mali, Chad, Niger, Western Sahara, Sudan, Mauritania, Libya, Algeria. and Tunisia. It is
characterized by vast stretches of sand dunes, rocky plateaus, and sparse vegetation. Hot desert ecosystem examples of
plants and animals include cactus, wildflowers, date palms, camel, kangaroo rats, etc.
 DESERT ECOSYSTEM

Polar Bear Mountain Goat Artic fern

Cold deserts experience a wider range of temperatures compared to hot deserts. While daytime temperatures
can be relatively warm, the nights are often cold, with temperatures dropping below freezing points.
Ladakh, is an example of cold desert in India. It is located in the highest ranges of Himalayas and is
characterized by barren, rocky terrain, with sparse vegetation and occasional patches of snow.
Plants and animals living in cold deserts include arctic willow, arctic fern, polar bears, llamas, arctic fox, etc.
COMPONENTS OF AN
ECOSYSTEM
 ABIOTIC COMPONENTS

Edaphic means floor or ground surface. This factor basically includes soil and substratum. The texture of the soil, its
nutrient composition, and its density tell about the type of species or trees that will grow there.
 ABIOTIC COMPONENTS

Climatic factors includes surface exposure altitude, slope, etc. Human activities lead to modification in these components.
They have an impact on various biotic and abiotic factors. Such as farming, mining, and forest cutting.
 ABIOTIC COMPONENTS

Topographic factors are based on the atmosphere and include light, temperature, humidity, and wind. The speed of the
wind and its direction influence the humidity of an area. Similarly, the temperature of the lives of many species for eg.
Some species require a particular temperature to survive.
 BIOTIC COMPONENTS

Producers: Producers basically include trees that fulfill the requirements of other organisms for food and oxygen.
Through photosynthesis, they gain the energy required by them under the presence of chlorophyll and sunlight. These
include various bacteria and algae as well as green plants. By using the process of photosynthesis and simple inorganic
raw materials like carbon dioxide and water, they create carbohydrates. Green plants come under the example of Primary
producers. All autotrophs like plants, phytoplankton, etc. that can produce their food using sources like sun, water, carbon
dioxide, or any other chemical elements belong to this category.
 BIOTIC
COMPONENTS
Consumers: All heterotrophs, primarily animals, that
are dependent on the producers or other organisms are
called consumers. These consumers are subdivided into
the following groups:
Primary consumers: All herbivores that directly
depend on plants, such as cows, goats, rabbits, and
sheep, are considered primary consumers.
Secondary consumers: All that depend on primary
consumers for food are considered secondary
consumers. The secondary consumer can
be omnivores or carnivores.
Tertiary consumers: All animals that depend on
secondary-level organisms for their food are known
as tertiary consumers.
Quaternary consumer: Those animals that depend
on the tertiary level organism for their food and are
known as the quaternary consumer. This level is
present in some food chains only.
 BIOTIC
COMPONENTS
All microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, that
depend on decaying and dead matter for food fall
under this category. These are the organisms that help
to convert them into organic compounds. They are
important for the nutrient content in the soil. These
are also called saprophytes. It contributes to
environmental cleanup and ecosystem nutrient
recycling.
FUNCTION OF ECOSYSTEM
The functions of the ecosystem are as follows:

1. It regulates the essential ecological processes, supports life

systems and renders stability.

2. It is also responsible for the cycling of nutrients between biotic

and abiotic components.

3. It maintains a balance among the various trophic levels in the

ecosystem.

4. It cycles the minerals through the biosphere.

5. The abiotic components help in the synthesis of organic

components that involves the exchange of energy.
STURCTURE OF ECOSYSTEM

Interaction of biotic and abiotic components result in a physical structure that is characteristic for each type
of ecosystem. Identification and enumeration of plant and animal species of an ecosystem gives its species
composition. Vertical distribution of different species occupying different levels is called stratification.
For example, trees occupy top vertical strata or layer of a forest, shrubs the second and herbs and grasses
occupy the bottom layers.
 PRODUCTIVITY
The components of the ecosystem are seen to function as a unit when you consider the following aspects:
1. Productivity;
2. Decomposition;
3. Energy flow; and
4. Nutrient cycling

A constant input of solar energy is the basic requirement for any ecosystem to function and sustain. Primary production is
defined as the amount of biomass or organic matter produced per unit area over a time period by plants during
photosynthesis. It is expressed in terms of weight (gm–2) or energy (kcal m–2). The rate of biomass production is called
productivity.

It can be divided into two types:

5. Gross Primary Productivity (GPP): of an ecosystem is the rate of production of organic matter during photosynthesis. A
considerable amount of GPP is utilized by plants in respiration.
6. Net Primary Productivity (NPP): is the available biomass for the consumption to heterotrophs (herbiviores and
decomposers).

Gross primary productivity minus respiration losses (R), is the net primary productivity (NPP). GPP – R = NPP

Secondary productivity is defined as the rate of formation of new organic matter by consumers.
 DECOMPOSITION
Decomposers break down complex organic matter into inorganic substances like carbon dioxide, water and
nutrients and the process is called decomposition. Dead plant remains such as leaves, bark, flowers and dead remains of
animals, including fecal matter, constitute detritus, which is the raw material for decomposition. The important steps in the
process of decomposition are fragmentation, leaching, catabolism, humification and mineralization.

1. Detritivores (e.g., earthworm) break down detritus into smaller particles. This process is called fragmentation.

2. By the process of leaching, water-soluble inorganic nutrients go down into the soil horizon and get precipitated as
unavailable salts.

3. Bacterial and fungal enzymes degrade detritus into simpler inorganic substances. This process is called as catabolism.

4. Humification leads to accumulation of a dark colored amorphous substance called humus that is highly resistant to
microbial action and undergoes decomposition at an extremely slow rate. Being colloidal in nature it serves as a
reservoir of nutrients.

5. The humus is further degraded by some microbes and release of inorganic nutrients occur by the process known as
mineralisation.
 ENERGY FLOW
Sun is the only source of energy for all ecosystems on Earth. Of the incident solar radiation less than 50 per
cent of it is photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). Plants capture only 2-10 per cent of the PAR and this small
amount of energy sustains the entire living world. All organisms are dependent for their food on producers, either
directly or indirectly.
Further, ecosystems need a constant supply of energy to synthesize the molecules they require, to
counteract the universal tendency toward increasing disorderliness. The green plant in the ecosystem are called
producers. In a terrestrial ecosystem, major producers are herbaceous and woody plants. Likewise, producers in an
aquatic ecosystem are various species like phytoplankton, algae and higher plants.
Starting from the plants (or producers) food chains or rather webs are formed such that an animal feeds on
a plant or on another animal and in turn is food for another. The chain or web is formed because of this
interdependency. No energy that is trapped into an organism remains in it for ever. The energy trapped by the
producer, hence, is either passed on to a consumer or the organism dies. Death of organism is the beginning of the
detritus food chain/web.
All animals depend on plants (directly or indirectly) for their food needs. They are hence called consumers
and also heterotrophs. If they feed on the producers, the plants, they are called primary consumers (herbivorous),
and if the animals eat other animals which in turn eat the plants (or their produce) they are called secondary
consumers. Likewise, there are tertiary and quaternary consumers too. Some common herbivores are insects, birds
and mammals in terrestrial ecosystem and molluscs in aquatic ecosystem. The consumers that feed on these
herbivores are carnivores, or more correctly primary carnivores (though secondary consumers). Those animals that
depend on the primary carnivores for food are labeled secondary carnivores.
ENERGY FLOW
 ENERGY FLOW
Decomposers meet their energy and nutrient requirements by degrading dead organic matter or detritus.
Decomposers secrete digestive enzymes that breakdown dead and waste materials into simple, inorganic materials, which
are subsequently absorbed by them.
In an aquatic ecosystem, GFC is the major conduit for energy flow. As against this, in a terrestrial ecosystem, a
much larger fraction of energy flows through the detritus food chain than through the GFC.
Organisms occupy a place in the natural surroundings or in a community according to their feeding relationship with
other organisms. Based on the source of their nutrition or food, organisms occupy a specific place in the food chain that is
known as their trophic level.
The amount of energy decreases at successive trophic levels. When any organism dies it is converted to detritus or
dead biomass that serves as an energy source for decomposers. Organisms at each trophic level depend on those at the
lower trophic level for their energy demands. Each trophic level has a certain mass of living material at a particular time
called as the standing crop. The standing crop is measured as the mass of living organisms (biomass) or the number in a
unit area.
 FOOD CHAIN
A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms in an ecosystem, each dependent on the organism
preceding it for food and energy. It represents the transfer of energy and nutrients from one organism to
another, starting with a primary producer (such as plants or algae) that converts sunlight into energy
through photosynthesis. Consumers, such as herbivores, then eat the producers, followed by secondary
consumers that eat the herbivores, and so on, forming a chain of predator-prey relationships.

Each level in the food chain is called a trophic level, with energy diminishing as it moves up the chain due to
energy loss at each transfer. Finally, decomposers break down the remains of dead organisms, returning
nutrients to the soil or water and completing the cycle.

Some of the characteristics of the food chain are listed below:

1. Interaction between living organisms: A food chain demonstrates the relationships and dependencies
among different organisms in an ecosystem.
2. Dependency: Organisms within a food chain depend on each other for food and energy, demonstrating the
interconnectedness of life.
3. Straight pathway of energy flow: Energy moves linearly from one organism to another in a food chain,
representing a direct flow of energy through the ecosystem.
4. Undivided energy flow: Energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next without branching off,
maintaining a continuous flow within the chain.
5. Limited trophic levels: Food chains typically consist of 3 to 4 trophic levels, representing the primary
producers, consumers, and sometimes secondary consumers in an ecosystem.
FOOD CHAIN
 FOOD CHAIN
Detritus food chain is one of the types of the food chain. Detritus food chain begins with dead
organisms. Dead organisms in the detritus food chain are decomposed or get mixed with soil with the help of
microorganisms. Organisms or living being which feed on dead organisms is called detritivores or decomposers.

The characteristics of Detritus food chain are as follows:

1. Photosynthesis does not happen in the detritus food chain.
2. It has a continuous flow of energy.
3. Dead organisms are the first food for the other animals.
4. This type of food chain happens rarely in the presence of sunlight.
5. This food chain helps in minimizing the waste and maximizing the use of waste dead content.

Uses of Detritus Food Chain

6. This food chain is used to dissolve inorganic nutrients.
7. Detrivores’ excreted products are used by other organisms present in the detritus food chain.

Importance of Detritus Food Chain

The Detritus food chain is essential for nutrient recycling in ecosystems, breaking down dead organic
matter through decomposers, enriching soil fertility, and supporting plant growth. It plays a crucial role in
maintaining ecosystem health and balance by preventing the accumulation of organic debris.
 FOOD CHAIN
Grazing Food Chain
The grazing food chain is one of the types of food chain mentioned above. This food chain starts with plants that
prepare food for themselves by the process of photosynthesis as well as for other living beings. Food prepared by the plant
is eaten by herbivores(those who eat only plants), herbivores are eaten by the omnivores( those who eat both herbivores
and plants), and omnivores are eaten by the carnivores( those who eat only meat like a lion).

There are two type of grazing food chain that are as follows:
1. Parasitic food chain: In this type, the energy and nutrients flow from plants to herbivores (primary consumers) and
then to predators (secondary consumers), illustrating the consumption of herbivores by carnivores.
2. Predator food chain: This type involves the direct consumption of plants (producers) by herbivores (primary
consumers), showcasing the transfer of energy and nutrients without an intermediate predator level.

Characteristics of Grazing Food Chain

3. The characteristics of grazing food chain are as follows:
4. The grazing food chain mainly depends on the sun which is the single energy source for the plants to prepare food.
5. In this food chain, microscopic organisms are a part of the Grazing food chain as decomposers.
6. This food chain helps the environment by adding energy to the environment by fixing inorganic nitrogen in the soil.
 FOOD CHAIN
Uses of Grazing Food Chain:

1. Various uses of the Grazing food chain are as follows:

2. It help in understanding energy flow and nutrient dynamics in ecosystems, highlighting the relationships between
plants, herbivores, and predators.
3. It is essential for maintaining biodiversity, managing wildlife populations, and informing conservation strategies.

Importance of Grazing Food Chain:

4. Importance of the Grazing food chain are as follows:

5. The Grazing food chain is important for maintaining ecosystem dynamics as it regulates population sizes, maintains
biodiversity.
6. It facilitates the efficient transfer of energy and nutrients through trophic levels.
7. It also plays a key role in shaping community structures and influencing the overall balance and stability of
ecosystems.
 FOOD WEB
A food web is a more complex and interconnected representation of feeding relationships within an ecosystem
compared to a food chain. Rather than a linear sequence, a food web consists of multiple interconnected food chains that
show the various paths of energy flow and interactions among organisms within a community. It represents the network of
feeding relationships among producers, consumers, and decomposers, including all the organisms that contribute to the
transfer of energy and nutrients. This interconnectedness reflects the complexity of ecological systems and demonstrates
the diverse ways in which organisms interact within an ecosystem.

In food web trophic levels, organisms are arranged into different levels, with producers at the base, followed by primary,
secondary, and tertiary consumers. All the organisms including predators, prey, and scavengers interact within this food
web, which influences the population dynamics.
Decomposers break down dead matter, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. Each level in the food web depends
on the lower level for energy and nutrients. Change in one trophic level impacts the other tropic levels or the whole food
web. It shows the dependency of one trophic level on another and the importance of biodiversity.

Characteristics of Food Web:

Some of the characteristics of the food web are listed below:
Interconnectedness: Shows how organisms in an ecosystem are connected through feeding relationships.
Complexity: Represents the multitude of interactions among various species within the ecosystem.
Energy Flow: Illustrates the transfer of energy from one organism to another through feeding.
Biodiversity: Reflects the diversity of species and trophic levels present in the ecosystem.
FOOD WEB
 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FOOD
CHAIN & FOOD WEB
Features Food Chain Food Web
Arrangement It is arranged in a linear pattern i.e. the flow of energy is in a It is arranged in a web-like pattern i.e. multiple food chains are
straight line. connected like a web.
Structure Mainly consists of a single organism per trophic level in each chain. Consists of more than one species per trophic level in each
web.
Food Option No option for food except for the specific species. Multiple food options.
Number of Levels Consists of mostly 3-4 trophic levels. Can consist of 4-6 trophic levels.
Adaptability and Competition No adaptability and competition among organisms. Adaptability and competition among organisms are present.
The integrity of the Chain If a species from any trophic level gets eliminated then the whole Loss of one or two species from any trophic level will not
chain falls. disintegrate the food web.
Presence Mostly in seen in ideal condition. Naturally, ecosystems show a food chain in a web-like
arrangement.
Demonstrates Demonstrates the relationship between organisms. Demonstrates how the ecosystem and its biotic communities
are structured and placed.
Occurrence It is only a single unit. Multiple units of food chains are present.
Significance If present in an ecosystem, it increases the instability. Helps in stabilizing the ecosystem by maintaining balance.
Types There are only two types of food chains; the grazing food chain, and No specific type of food web is present.
the detritus food chain.
Example Grass –> Grasshopper –> Frog –> Snake –> Hawk Grass –> Grasshopper, rabbit, deer –> Frog, Weasels, Small
bird, fox –> Small snake, Wolf, Cheetah, Hawk –> Lion, Eagle,
Cobra
THANK YOU
VERY
MUCH!