FEATURES OF ECOSYSTEM
- Stable , dynamic and self sustaining
- The mean population density remains approximately constant -> the birth/death rate
is balanced
- 3 reason
1)cycle of materials
- useful materials do NOT leave the ecosystem
- Are cycles through it, by the action of organisms performing : respiration ,
photosynthesis , excretion , egestion and the death of them
- X extra supply of materials need
- So : stable + self sustaining
2)Interaction of organisms between one another and the environment
- makes ecosystem dynamic
- Interactions that causes cycle of materials usually related to FEEDING
- Inorganic materials in the environment are absorbed by photosynthetic plants and
converted into organic matter through autotrophic nutrition
- Matters are released into the environment by respiration , excretion and
decomposition of dead organic matter
- Organisms show different adaptation to live in a specific environment
- They will change the physical environment ie take up substances and releases waste
into the environment
- Modify physical environment by : speeding up erosion + sustain the substratum
3)Energy released
- energy X recycled in ecosystem
- but survival of animals need continuous supply of energy in the ecosystem , so there
need to be a continuous input of energy ( ie sun )
- energy from sun is absorbed by photosynthetic organisms and built into organic
matter from inorganic materials
- Transfer of energy take place : transferred from one organism to another in the form
of food when one is eaten by another
- Self sustaining ?
TYPES OF ECOSYSTEMS IN HK
Freshwater streams - HK relief : hilly , so there are many
hill streams
- Rich variety of fish amphibians and
insect species in the upper and
middle course of streams
- Lower courts at serious threat bc of
human activities
Mangroves - located at sheltered shores where
the freshwater stream runs into the
ocean
- Although affected by tide , usually
sheltered from strong wave motion
- Breeding ground for many types of
organisms
Woodland - usually found in country parks in HK
- Different tree species are introduced
to restore the damaged woodland
from early years
Grassland - hills in HK are covered with
grasslands
- Main species : short grass species
- Exposed to strong wind : limit the
growth of larger plants in grasslands
Rocky Shore - marine coastal area covered with
large rocks
- During low tide , rocks are exposed
to the air
- Organisms living there face a
fluctuation of living environment
every day.
ABIOTIC FACTORS (non living factors )
1)Temperature
- The distribution and the behaviour of organisms is greatly related to the temperature
- It is because the metabolic reactions of organisms are catalysed by enzymes, which
only work in a narrow range of temperature
- Lower diversity of organisms in areas with extreme temperatures
2)light
- light intensity affects the rate of photosynthesis in plants
- The light duration ( ie the length of the day ) affects the flowering of plants
- The light intensity also affects the behaviour of animals
->diurnal animals : active in the day time , rests at night
->nocturnal animals : active during night time and might develop night vision
And other special sensory methods for a dark environment
3)Rainfall and humidity
- rainfall and humidity also affects the supply of water in an ecosystem
- Organisms living in habitats with limited supply of water will develop special
mechanisms to help them retain the water in their body and reduce water loss
4)wind speed and water current
- in the terrestrial ecosystem , strong wind might blow away soil, making the soil not
suitable for the growth of large plant species
- In the aquatic ecosystem , the strong wind might generate strong waves and wash
away the immobile or slow-moving animals . These organisms usually have specific
body structures that allow them to hold on tightly to the substratum . They usually
have a streamlined body form which reduces resistance when they move in water
- Water current also affects various abiotic factors . It includes , when the water current
is stronger , the oxygen level inside the water tends to be higher , and the particle
size of the substratum tends to be larger . There is less fine sediment accumulated .
5)Oxygen level
Factor effects on oxygen level reason
Temperature the oxygen level decreases the solubility of oxygen
when the temperature decreases as the
increases temperature increases
water current the oxygen level increases splashes increase the
when water flows more contact of water with the
quickly oxygen
organic matter the oxygen level decrease in decomposition of organic
the presence of organic matter takes up oxygen
matter
6)salinity
- it is the concentration of dissolved salts and ions in sea water
- It directly determines the water potential and therefore the availability of minerals and
water to organisms
- The salinity in seawater of the open ocean is relatively constant
- The daily fluctuation of salinity in intertidal areas can be large
7)Nature of substratum
- it is any material where organisms are growing on or attaching to
- Varies from bare rock to soil of different particle sizes
- Can also be any stable surface provided by organisms (eg tree trunk, coral)
- In soil with small particle sizes , the air space between the particles are small and the
oxygen content inside the soil is low . So it is easily flooded by water
- Difference in particle sizes , different types of soil may also have different pH value ,
water , nutrients , oxygen and humus content
- Humus is the major source of nutrients inside the soil. It is formed by the
decomposition of organic matter by microorganisms in the soil. Humus also carries
large amounts of moisture, which increases the capacity of the plant to counter
conditions like drought.
KEY ABIOTIC FACTORS IN DIFFERENT ECOSYSTEMS
1)In woodlands
- light intensity and temperature differs at different layers of the woodland ‘
- At the canopy layer , it shelters against strong winds and heavy rain. This prevents
soil erosion and reduces runoff
- The tree roots are deep . The extensive root systems hold the soil particles together .
This prevents soil erosion and reduces runoff
- The thick layer of humus on the ground layer helps maintain the fertility of the soil
2)in coastal ecosystems
- coastal ecosystems are located in intertidal zones . The substrata of these systems
are periodically submerged and excised .
A)rocky shores
- it has hard substratum exposed to strong waves . The shore can be divided into
several zones according to the overall average exposure of the zones . The zones
closer to the surface of the water is subjected to greater change in the abiotic factor
eg light intensity and temperature . Specific types of organisms can be found in each
zone . This is called zonation
- Rock pools may be formed in the hallow of the hard rocks as the tide recedes ,
marine organisms may be trapped .
- Many organisms in the rocky shores develop ways to attach themselves firmly to the
hard rock
- They usually have hard shell for protection
- Stay away from strong waves by hiding in rock crevices
Name of shore types of organisms found
splash zone lichens
high tide zone periwinkles
mid tide zone limpets
Chiton
Rock oysters
low tide zone Spontes
Algae
Crabs
Barnacle
subtidal zone Sea urchins
Sea cucumbers
Tube worms
B)Mangroves
- they are located in sheltered shores
- Subject to tidal actions
- There is a continuous exchange of water from river to sea -> salinity of the shore
fluctuates throughout the day
- Mangroves are protected from wave actions
- Organic matter can easily accumulate in the soft soil and oxygen level in the mud is
low
- Some mangrove trees develop specialised roots to obtain oxygen form the air . The
roots are raised above the soil
- Some mangrove trees and excrete excess salt absorbed through their leaves
- The large amount of organic matter accumulates in the subtrantum of the mangrove
and this. Provides a food source for the diversity of animals there. The distribution of
animals inside the mud is affected by the oxygen level and the particle size of the
substratum
3)freshwater ecosystems
- hill streams are typically fast-flowing at the upper course The water current deceases
gradually as the water flows downstream closer to the lowland areas
- In the upper course of the stream with a stronger water current, the oxygen level is
higher and the particle size of the substratum is larger
