Prema Iswary

            Graphic representation of trophic structure and function of an ecosystem, starting with producers at the base and successive trophic levels forming the apex is known as ecological pyramids .             Ecological pyramid may be of three types – pyramid of numbers , pyramid of biomass and pyramid of energy .             1. Pyramid of Numbers:- It represents the number of individual organisms at each trophic level. We may have upright or inverted pyramid of numbers depending upon the type of ecosystem and food chain.             As for example – Grassland and a pond ecosystem show an upright pyramid of numbers. The producers in grassland are grasses which are very large in numbers. So the producers form a broad base. The herbivores in the grassland are insects while tertiary carnivores are hawks and other birds which are gradually less and less in number and hence the apex of the pyramid becomes gradually narrower.             Pyramid of numbers may be inver

                                                                             FOOD CHAIN             The transfer of food energy from the producers through a series of organisms (herbivores to carnivores and then to decomposers) with repeated eating and being eaten, is known as food chain.             The solar energy is trapped in the ecosystem by the green plants and produce energy rich carbohydrates. These green plants are known as primary producers. The green plants are eaten by plant eaters (herbivores) also called primary consumers. Herbivores are in turn eaten by meat eaters (carnivores) also called secondary consumers. Secondary consumers in turn may be still eaten by other carnivores which are known as tertiary consumers. After decay of both plants and animals simpler compounds are being released into the atmosphere due to the activity of decomposers which are re-utilized by green plants.             In nature, we generally distinguish two types of food chain – Gazing

            Ecosystem may be defined as a natural, functional, ecological unit comprising living organisms and their non living environment that interact to form stable, self supporting system.             COMPONENTS OF AN ECOSYSTEM             Components of an ecosystem can be classified into two major divisions – Biotic and Abiotic components.             1. Biotic Components:- All living organisms present in the environment are included within the biotic component. The biotic components can be sub divided into three major groups –             a) Producers – These includes all the autotrophic green plants which can make their own food with the help of sunlight. Besides these some organisms like Cyano-bacteria and some Chemo-systhetic bacteria can produce their own food, which are also included in producers.             b) Consumers – These includes all heterotrophic organisms which depend on plants and other organisms for food and nutrition. Based on the food they ea

            The science of environment studies is a multidisciplinary science because it depends on various disciplines like chemistry, physics, medical science, etc. It is the science of physical phenomena in the environment. It is inherently a multidisciplinary field that draws upon not only its core scientific areas, but also applies knowledge from other non-scientific studies such as economic, law and social science.             1. In the field of physical science it helps to understand the flux of material and energy interaction. It also helps to construct mathematical models of environment.             2. Environmental study is related with chemical science in the sense that it helps in understanding the molecular interactions in the system.             3. In the field of biological science it describes the effects within the plant and animal kingdom and their diversity.              4. In the field of atmospheric science , environmental studies deals with the exa