Semester I Environmental science

CONCEPT OF ENVIRONMENT

 Term Environment – In English discourse, Environment borrowed from old French word
Environner (1603 AD)
 Environner means to encircle or to surround
 Environment means the surrounding things and conditions affecting the plants and animals by
Thomas Carlyle (1828)
 The emergence of the modern concept of environment started from Thomas Carlyle’s translation
of Goethe’s work in1828.
 Environment: is defined as sum total of all conditions that surround a particular organism at a
particular point of time in space.
Or
 Environment: is defined as “all the physical, chemical, biological factors external to the
organisms, that governs the growth and development.
Or
 Environment: is defined as "the aggregate of all external conditions and influences affecting life
and development of an organism"

Environmental Factors Affecting Living Organisms

 Environmental Factors (Terrestrial)

 Abiotic factors: non-living factors e.g. aspect: north-facing slopes are cooler and darker
than south facing slopes in Northern hemisphere
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 Biotic factors: living factors, e.g. food availability: more food will enable more organisms
to live
 Climatic factors: effects of weather, e.g. rain: more rain means more water, which
supports more life
 Edaphic factors: effects of soil, e.g. soil pH: pH affects growth of particular plants as pH
affects enzyme action. Most plants grow at soil pH of 6.5 to 8.5

 Environmental Factors (Aquatic) Aquatic habitats have unique problems in comparison

to terrestrial habitats. These problems include:
 Light penetration e.g. plankton grows better in the upper layers of water due to higher
light intensity.
 Currents transport organisms. Plants and animals subsequently get washed away unless
they attach themselves to objects (e.g. limpets and many seaweeds).
 Wave action moves and damages organisms
 Salt content results in organisms adapting to freshwater or saltwater. This causes issues
with water moving in or out of organisms and their cells.
 Tides e.g. the amount of time organisms are exposed or submerged. Shore plants lose water
at low tide. Organisms on shore have shells or mucilage to retain water

 Temperature: influences most plant processes, including photosynthesis, transpiration,

respiration, germination, and flowering. As temperature increases (up to a point),
photosynthesis, transpiration, and respiration increase. When combined with day-length,
temperature also affects the change from vegetative (leafy) to reproductive (flowering)
growth.
 Water and Humidity: Most growing plants contain about 90 percent water. Water plays
many roles in plants. It is:
 A primary component in photosynthesis and respiration
 Responsible for turgor pressure in cells (Like air in an inflated balloon, water is responsible
for the fullness and firmness of plant tissue.
 A solvent for minerals and carbohydrates moving through the plant
 Responsible for cooling leaves as it evaporates from leaf tissue during transpiration
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 A regulator of stomatal opening and closing, thus controlling transpiration and, to some
degree, photosynthesis
 The source of pressure to move roots through the soil
 The medium in which most biochemical reactions take place

TYPES OF ENVIRONMENT

 Bio-physical environment: It is essential life-supporting environment. The bio-physical

environment includes land, air, water, plants and animals, buildings and other
infrastructure, and all of the natural resources that provide our basic needs and
opportunities for social and economic development. A clean, healthy environment is
important for people's physical and emotional wellbeing. At a fundamental level, factors
such as clean air and good quality drinking water are vital for people's physical health.
 Social environment: social environments includes the immediate social relationships, and
cultural settings within which defined groups of people function and interact. Components
of the social environment include built infrastructure; industrial and occupational structure;
labor markets; social and economic processes; wealth; social, human, and health services;
power relations; government; race relations; social inequality; cultural practices; the arts;
religious institutions and practices; and beliefs about place and community
 Economic environment: The economic environment is the sum total of the
economic conditions and the nature of the economy in which the people has to live and
compete. The economic conditions of people also have a huge impact on their physical health,
mental health and education. People with low income, don’t have access to good education and
health facilities
 Psychological environment: is the interaction of the various sources of stress in our lives
and how we respond to them, both individually and as communities. The Psychological
environment enables us to understand the personality of an individual.
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Components of Environment

The four major components of environment include lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere

and biosphere, corresponding to rocks, water, air and life respectively.
• Lithosphere is derived from the word "sphere," combined with the Greek word
"lithos" which means rock. The lithosphere is the solid outer section of Earth which
includes Earth's crust (the "skin" of rock on the outer layer of planet Earth), as well as the
underlying cool, dense, and fairly rigid upper part of the upper mantle. The lithosphere
extends from the surface of Earth to a depth of about 44-62 mi (70-100 km). The main
component of lithosphere is earth’s tectonic plates.
• Hydrosphere comprises of all forms of water bodies on earth including marine
(oceans, seas) freshwater (rivers, lakes, ponds, streams) and groundwater resources etc. It
covers 71% of earth’s surface. 97% of water found on Earth is in the oceans in the form of
salt water. Only 3 % of water on Earth is freshwater. Out of this, 30.8% is available as
groundwater and 68.9% is in frozen forms as in glaciers. Amount of 0.3% is available in
rivers, reservoirs and lakes and is easily accessible to man.
• Atmosphere is gaseous layer enveloping the Earth. The atmosphere with oxygen in
abundance is unique to Earth and sustains life. It mainly comprises 78.08% nitrogen,
20.95% oxygen, 0.93% argon, 0.039% carbon dioxide, and traces of hydrogen, helium, and
noble gases. The amount of water vapor present is variable (0-3%).Earth's atmosphere has
a series of layers, each with its own specific traits. Moving upward from ground level, these
layers are named the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere and exosphere.
The troposphere is the lowest layer of our atmosphere. Starting at ground level, it extends
upward to about 11 km (about 33,000 feet) above sea level. The next layer up is called the
stratosphere. The stratosphere extends from the top of the troposphere to about 52 km (32
miles) above the ground. The infamous ozone layer is found within the stratosphere. Ozone
molecules in this layer absorb high-energy ultraviolet (UV) light from the Sun, converting
the UV energy into heat. Above the stratosphere is the mesosphere. It extends upward to a
height of about 85 km (53 miles) above our planet. Most meteors burn up in the
mesosphere. The layer of very rare air above the mesosphere is called the thermosphere.
High-energy X-rays and UV radiation from the Sun are absorbed in the thermosphere,
raising its temperature to hundreds or at times thousands of degrees. At the top of the
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thermosphere temperatures can be found anywhere between 500 and 1,000 km (311 to 621
miles) above the ground. Temperatures in the upper thermosphere can range from about
500° C (932° F) to 2,000° C (3,632° F) or higher.
• Biosphere refers to all the regions on Earth where life exists. The ecosystems that
support life could be in soil, air, water or land. The term Biosphere was coined by Geologist
Edward Suess who used this term for place on Earth where life can be found. Biosphere
refers to the sum total of all living matter, the biomass or biota. It extends from the polar
ice caps to the equator, with each region harboring some life form suitable to the conditions
there.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Definition:
Environmental Science- an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary subject that studies how
the earth works, how we interact with the earth, and how we can deal with the
environmental problems we face.
Or
Environmental science is the systematic study of the environment and human existence in
it, using scientific methods and provide a socially acceptable, economically viable and
scientifically reliable solution to environmental problems.
Multidisciplinary: people from different disciplines or subjects work together, each
drawing on their disciplinary knowledge.
Interdisciplinary: integrating knowledge and methods from different disciplines or
subjects, using a real synthesis of approaches.
Environmental science is also referred to as an interdisciplinary field because it
incorporates information and ideas from multiple disciplines such as biology, chemistry,
geology, geography, economics, mathematics, political science, philosophy, and ethics.
By combining subjects of the natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities,
the field of environmental science can cover more concepts and also examine problems
and topics from many different points of view.
Difference between Environmental Science and Environmental Studies
Environmental Science-uses fundamental knowledge from mathematics,
chemistry, biology, and physics coupled with specialization in a particular area of science
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to provide advanced scientific understanding of environmental problems and provide

solutions.
For Example-if there is an oil spill in a lake caused by an equipment failure
Environmental science asks questions such as:
• How much oil was spilled?
• How will it impact physical, chemical, and biological systems?
• What are the risks to humans, animals, and habitats?
• What is the long-term outcome of the oil spill and how can we prevent this from
happening in the future from a scientific point of view
Environmental studies-is the subject that provides an integrated understanding of
social, political, and historical aspects of our environmental issues with a focus on policy,
law, and social aspects of these issues.
For Example-if there is an oil spill in a lake caused by an equipment failure
Environmental Studies asks questions such as:
• What are the economic and social impacts of the oil spill?
• What policies, laws, and regulations are in place that were/were not followed in this
situation? if there aren’t any policies, regulations, or laws in place, how can we work with
local governments to improve this situation?
• How can we educate common people about the effects of the oil spill?
• How can we prevent this from happening in the future?

IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Since industrial revolution (1760-1840)-the world has changed at a very rapid pace,
some changes were beneficial (eradicating previously incurable disease, reducing infant
mortality, providing security from invasion, reducing poverty, and securing resources such
as water, energy, and minerals), but many of the changes were causing damage to our
environment. Due to this increase in industrialization and the human population, there has
also been an increase in pressure on the natural resources and ecosystem services that we
rely on for survival.
It was the fossil fuel coal that initiated the Industrial Revolution, forever changing
the way people would live and utilize energy. While this pushed human progress to
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extraordinary levels, it came at extraordinary costs to our environment, and ultimately to

the health of all living things.
In the recent past- several environmental problems—such as pollution, global
warming, ozone layer depletion, acid rain, deforestation, and desertification—have
remained a major focus of scientists, policymakers, and common public across the world.
These problems are perceived as the major threats to the life-supporting
environment of the earth, thus making our survival on the planet increasingly unsafe.
To tackle these challenges, holistic knowledge about the working of our life-
supporting environment and thorough understanding of the dynamics of these problems
become imperative.
Since no other academic discipline covers the above two knowledge requirements
completely, environmental science evolved as an academic discipline to fill in this gap.
The field of environmental science is a valuable resource for learning more about
these changes and how they affect the world we live in.
Importance of environmental science.
• To realize that environmental problems are global: Environmental science makes
us realize that environmental problems such as climate change, global warming, ozone
layer depletion, acid rains, and impacts on biodiversity and marine life are not just national
problems, but global problems as well.
• It aware us how our developmental and day-to-day activities affect environment
and how we are affected by changes in the environmental conditions.
• It encourages us to create a pollution-free environment (that is, clean air, water,
land, and food) by adopting different methods of preventing and controlling pollution.
• It guides us to utilize our natural resources such as water, forest, minerals, and fossil
fuels in a judicious manner
• To adopt eco-friendly lifestyle by preventing and controlling pollution, and
utilizing the resources efficiently in day-to-day activities
• Industries to adopt an eco-friendly mode by adopting clean and efficient
technologies and installing pollution control systems.
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• To solve complex global environmental problems such as climate change, ozone-

layer depletion, desertification, and energy crisis by using different interdisciplinary tools
and approaches.
• To discover sustainable ways of living: Environmental science is more concerned
with discovering ways to live more sustainably. This includes minimizing household
energy consumption, eating locally, recycling more, growing your own food, drinking from
the tap, conserving household water, and driving your car less.
• To learn and create awareness about environmental problems at local, national and
international levels. Environmental awareness can be created through social media,
creating a blog dedicated to creating awareness, community centered green clubs, women
forums, and religious podiums.
Ecosystem concept
The ecosystem is the structural and functional unit of ecology where the living organisms
interact with each other and their abiotic environment, characterized by nutrient cycling
and unidirectional flow of energy. In other words, an ecosystem is a chain of interaction
between organisms and their environment. The term “Ecosystem” was first coined by A.G.
Tansley, an English botanist, in the year 1935.
Types of ecosystems
Ecosystems are classified as follows:
TYPES OF ECOSYSTEM
In the biosphere, Ecosystems may be classified based on their nature, duration, and size:
(I) NATURE: Based on nature, ecosystems may be classified as:
(A) NATURAL ECOSYSTEMS: These Ecosystems operate in nature by themselves
without any human interference. Common examples of natural ecosystems are: a pond, a
lake, a meadow, a desert, a grassland, a forest, an ocean, etc.
(B) ARTIFICIAL ECOSYSTEMS: These are maintained by man and hence are also
termed man-made or Man-Engineered Ecosystem. In these ecosystems, man maintains the
natural balance by the addition of energy and planned manipulations. Common examples
of artificial ecosystems are cropland, orchard, garden, aquarium, etc.
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Types of Natural Ecosystem

1. Terrestrial Ecosystems
Terrestrial ecosystems are exclusively land-based ecosystems. There are different types of
terrestrial ecosystems distributed around various geological zones. They are as follows:
• Forest Ecosystems
• Grassland Ecosystems
• Tundra Ecosystems
• Desert Ecosystem
• Forest Ecosystem: A forest ecosystem consists of several plants, animals and
microorganisms that live in coordination with the abiotic factors of the environment.
Forests help in maintaining the temperature of the earth and are the major carbon sink.
• Grassland Ecosystem: In a grassland ecosystem, the vegetation is dominated by
grasses and herbs. Temperate grasslands, savanna grasslands are some of the examples of
grassland ecosystems.
• Tundra Ecosystem: Tundra ecosystems are devoid of trees and are found in cold
climate or where rainfall is scarce. These are covered with snow for most of the year. The
ecosystem in the Arctic or mountain tops is tundra type.
• Desert Ecosystem: Deserts are found throughout the world. These are regions with
very little rainfall. The days are hot and the nights are cold.
2. Aquatic Ecosystem
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Aquatic ecosystems are ecosystems present in a body of water. These can be further divided
into two types, namely:
• Freshwater Ecosystem
• Marine Ecosystem
• Freshwater Ecosystem: The freshwater ecosystem is an aquatic ecosystem that
includes lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and wetlands. Average salinity less than 0.05%.
Freshwater ecosystems are further divided into Lentic and Lotic ecosystems
Lentic Ecosystem: Lentic is a class of aquatic ecosystems that are found on land,
such as ponds, rivers, lakes, swamps and streams. Mostly, lentic ecosystems are described
as still or standing bodies of freshwater, and they are smaller ecosystems.
Lotic Ecosystem: The lotic systems are moving bodies of water that flow to other
bodies of water and eventually to the ocean. These systems can include springs, rivers and
streams, or any body of water that flows to marine like waters or the ocean
• Marine Ecosystem: The marine ecosystem includes seas and oceans. These have a
larger salt content and greater biodiversity in comparison to the freshwater ecosystem.
Average salinity is 3.5% or 35grams/Liter

DURATION: Based on duration, Ecosystems may be classified as:

• TEMPORARY ECOSYSTEMS: These are short-lived ecosystems which may be
natural or man-made. Common examples include rainfed pond and laboratory culture of
protozoans.
• PERMANENT ECOSYSTEMS: These are self-supporting Natural Ecosystems
that maintain themselves for a relatively long duration, e.g., a lake, a forest, a desert, etc.
SIZE: Based on size, ecosystems may be classified as:
• SMALL ECOSYSTEMS: Small-sized ecosystems are also termed as Micro-
ecosystems, e.g. a flowerpot, water in a dish, a site under a stone, etc.
• LARGE ECOSYSTEMS: Very large-sized ecosystems are also termed Macro-
ecosystems, e.g., an ocean, a forest, a desert, etc.
The two major aspects of an ecosystem are the structure and function.
By structure we mean:
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(i) the composition of the biological community including species, numbers, biomass, life
history and distribution in space, etc.
(ii) the quantity and distribution of the non-living materials, such as nutrients, water, etc.,
and
(iii) the range, or gradient of conditions of existence, such as temperature, light, etc.
Structure of the ecosystem: They are broadly grouped into: -
1) Abiotic and (b) Biotic components

Components of Ecosystem

Abiotic Components Biotic components

Physical factors Inorganic substances Organic substances

Temperature Water Proteins
Humidity Oxygen Carbohydrates
Light Carbon dioxide Lipids
Atmospheric pressure Nitrogen

Producers Consumers Decomposers

(Green plants) (Animals) (Microorganisms)

(a) Abiotic components (Non-living): The abiotic component can be grouped into the
following three categories: -
• Physical factors: Sunlight, temperature, rainfall, humidity and pressure. They
sustain and limit the growth of organisms in an ecosystem.
• Inorganic substances: Carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, water,
rock, soil and other minerals. Standing state is defined as the amount of inorganic nutrients
present in an ecosystem.
• Organic compounds: Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and humic substances. They
are the building blocks of living systems and therefore, link the biotic and abiotic
components. Standing crop is defined as biomass of living material in an ecosystem at a
particular time.
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(b) Biotic components (Living)

• Producers: The green plants manufacture food for the entire ecosystem through the
process of photosynthesis. Green plants are called autotrophs, as they absorb water and
nutrients from the soil, carbon dioxide from the air, and capture solar energy for this
process.
• Consumers (Macro-consumers) or heterotrophs are organisms that depend on other
organisms for food. Consumers are further classified into primary consumers, secondary
consumers, tertiary consumers, and Quaternary.
1) Primary consumers are always herbivores that they rely on producers for food. For
example, rabbits, tadpoles, ants, zooplankton, mice
2) Secondary consumers depend on primary consumers for energy. They can either be
a carnivore or an omnivore. For Example, frogs, small fish, krill, spiders
3) Tertiary consumers are organisms that depend on secondary consumers for food.
Tertiary consumers can also be an omnivore. For Example, snakes, raccoons, foxes, fish.
4) Quaternary consumers are present in some food chains. These organisms prey on
tertiary consumers for energy. Furthermore, they are usually at the top of a food chain as
they have no natural predators. For Example, wolves, sharks, coyotes, hawks, bobcats.
• Decomposers (Micro consumers): Also called saprotrophs. These are mostly
bacteria and fungi that feed on dead decomposed and the dead organic matter of plants and
animals by secreting enzymes outside their body on the decaying matter. They play a very
important role in the recycling of nutrients.
• Detritivores or detritus feeders: detritus eaters or debris eaters. These are usually
multicellular animals such as earthworms, crabs, slugs, or vultures.
Trophic Levels in a Food Chain
The producers and consumers in an ecosystem can be arranged into different feeding
groups/levels and are known as trophic level or the feeding level.
1. The producers (plants) represent the first trophic level.
2. Herbivores (primary consumers) present the second trophic level.
3. Primary carnivores (secondary consumers) represent the third trophic level
4. Top carnivores (tertiary consumers) represent the last level.
Food Web
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The word ‘web’ means network. Food web can be defined as ‘a network of interconnected
food chains so as to form a number of feeding relationships amongst different organism of
a biotic community.
A food chain cannot stand isolated in an ecosystem. The same food resource may be a part
of more than one chain. This is possible when the resource is at the lower tropic level.
A food web comprises all the food chains in a single ecosystem. It is essential to know that
each living thing in an ecosystem is a part of multiple food chains. The food web provides
stability to the ecosystem.

\
Food Web

Ecological Pyramid
An ecological pyramid is a graphical representation of the number, energy, and biomass of
the successive trophic levels of an ecosystem. Each of the bars that make up the pyramid
represents a different trophic level, and their order, which is based on who eats whom,
represents the flow of energy. Charles Elton was a first ecologist to describe the ecological
pyramid and its principals in the year 1927.
They are pyramidal in shape and they are of three types: The producers make the base of
the pyramid and the subsequent tiers of the pyramid represent herbivore, carnivore and top
carnivore levels.
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Pyramid of number: This represents the number of organisms at each trophic level. For
example, in a grassland the number of grasses is more than the number of herbivores that
feed on them and the number of herbivores is more than the number of carnivores.

Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pyramid_of_numbers.png
Pyramid of numbers is always upright in case of pond, grassland, forest ecosystem.
However, in a parasitic food chain or single tree, the pyramid of number is either inverted
or spindle shaped. This is due to the fact that a single plant may support the growth of many
herbivores and each herbivore, in turn, may provide nutrition to several parasites which
support many hyper parasites. Thus, from the producer towards consumers, there is a
reverse position, i.e. the number of organisms gradually shows an increase making the
pyramid inverted in shape.
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Pyramid of biomass: This represents the total standing crop biomass at each trophic level.
Standing crop biomass is the amount of the living matter at any given time. It is expressed
as gm/unit area or kilo cal/unit area. In most of the terrestrial ecosystems (grasslands,
forests) the pyramid of biomass is upright. However, in case of aquatic ecosystems the
pyramid of biomass may be inverted e.g. in a pond phytoplankton are the main producers,
they have very short life cycles and a rapid turnover rate (i.e. they are rapidly replaced by
new plants). Therefore, their total biomass at any given time is less than the biomass of
herbivores supported by them.
Pyramid of energy: This pyramid represents the total amount of energy at each trophic
level. Energy pyramid is always upright.
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Since there is a successive reduction in energy flow at successive trophic levels, shorter
the food chain, greater would be the available food energy.
Significance of studying food chains
It helps in understanding the feeding relations and interactions among different
organisms of an ecosystem.
It explains the flow of energy and circulation of materials in ecosystems.
It helps in understanding the concept of biomagnification in ecosystems.
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
As a part of an ecosystem, humans derive lots of benefits from the biotic and abiotic
components. These benefits are collectively termed as ecosystem services. These benefits
include products like clean drinking water and processes such as the decomposition of
wastes.
These services were popularized and their definitions formalized by the United
Nations 2004 Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA), a four-year study involving more
than 1,300 scientists worldwide.
Ecosystem services are classified into four types:
• Provisioning Services: This includes the products/raw materials or energy outputs
like food, water, medicines and other resources from ecosystems. Ecosystems are a source
of food, water, medicines, wood, biofuels, etc. Also, they provide conditions for these
resources to grow.
• Regulating Services: This includes the services which regulate the ecological
balance. For example, carbon sequestration and climate regulation, terrestrial environs like
forest purify and regulates air quality, prevent soil erosion, and control greenhouse gases.
Biotic components such as birds, rats, frogs, act as natural controllers and thus help in pest
and disease control. Hence, ecosystems act as regulators.
• Supporting Services: Supporting services form the basis for other services. They
provide habitat for different life forms, retain biodiversity, nutrient cycling, and other
services for supporting life on the earth.
• Cultural Services: It includes tourism; provides recreational, aesthetic, cultural
and spiritual services. Most natural elements such as landscapes, mountains, caves, are
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used as a place for cultural and artistic purposes. Even a few of them are considered sacred.
Moreover, ecosystems provide enormous economic benefits in the name of tourism.
• The price tagging of the ecosystems and their services is quite unfeasible. Among
all the ecosystem services, supporting services alone contribute about 50% and the rest of
the services account for less than 10% in the same.
POND ECOSYSTEM
A pond ecosystem refers to the freshwater ecosystem where there are communities of
organism dependent on each other with the prevailing water environment for their nutrients
and survival. Ponds are shallow water bodies with a depth of 12-15 feet in which the sun
rays can penetrate to the bottom permitting the growth of plants there. Ponds are artificial
or natural body of water.
Light zonation of pond
On the basis of the depth of water, penetration of light and the types of plants and animals
in the pond, the pond is divided into different zones. They are:
Littoral Zone
It is a peripheral shallow water zone in which light can reach up to the bottom. It contains
warm and oxygen rich circulating water. So, this zone includes abundant rooted
vegetation’s and different types of consumers.
Limnetic Zone
The limnetic zone is a central part of a pond up to where there is penetration of effective
light. The associated organisms are small crustaceans, rotifers, insects and their larvae and
algae. The water level, oxygen content, and temperature in this zone varies time to time.
Decomposers are almost absent here.
Profundal Zone
This is the deep-water region where there is no effective light penetration. There the
microscopic plants and decomposers are present.

Zones of Pond Ecosystem

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STRUCTURE OF POND ECOSYSTEM

It contains two main components i.e. abiotic and biotic.
Abiotic components
The abiotic substances of Pond ecosystem are formed as a result of the mixture of some
organic and inorganic materials. They have directly or indirectly effect in
aquatic organisms of the pond. These includes:
Light
Temperature
Dissolved oxygen
Carbon dioxide
Other gases
pH of water
Turbidity
Dissolved minerals
Biotic components
The biotic components of Pond ecosystem are the living components which consist of:
Producers: The producers are the aquatic green plants, which may be divided into two
groups.
Microphytes (phytoplankton’s): They are microscopic autotrophs, which fix solar energy.
Eg. Spirogyra, Zygnema, Volvox, Oedogonium.
Macrophytes: They are large plants, which manufacture complex food. Eg; Azolla.
Ceratophyllum, Pistea, Hydrilla.
Consumers
The consumers are those heterotrophic organisms, which consume producers as food. Their
types are:
Primary consumer: These herbivorous animals depend on autotrophic organisms such as
microscopic plant eaters or zooplanktons, Mollusks, Beetles, Cyclops, and Daphnia etc.
Secondary consumer: These are primary carnivores, which depend on herbivorous
animals for food. Eg: Insects, fishes, frogs, crab etc.
consumer:
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Tertiary consumers: These are the second grade of carnivores. They feed upon plants or
animals (secondary consumer) therefore are called omnivores. Eg: Large fishes and frogs.
Decomposers: Most of the decomposers of Pond ecosystem are saprophytes but some
parasites are also found. Bacteria, fungi like Aspergillus Cladosporium Rhizopus,
Alternaria, Fusarium, Saprolegnia etc. are decomposers. Generally, the decomposers
either live in the soil layer beneath water or in the mud. They act on dead and decayed
organic matter of plants and animals and supply raw materials to the producers.
Functional aspect of pond ecosystem
Interactions: They are the food chains and food web formed by biotic communities. The
food chain is of two types which are given below:
1. Predatory food chain: In a predatory food chain, food chain starts with aquatic green
plants (autotrophs) whose source of energy is the sun and this autotroph becomes the source
of energy for herbivorous which are the source of energy for primary carnivorous and then
the secondary carnivorous.
2. Detritus (saprophytic) food chain: Here organic matter (dead plants and animals) are
first converted into detritus food by microorganisms like bacteria and fungi which is then
consumed by the consumer as a source of energy. There is no predatory and parasitic form.