Paper No: 01 Ecosystem Structures & Functions
Module: 1 Ecosystems: Concept, Structure and Functions – Part 1
Development Team
Prof. R.K. Kohli
Principal Investigator
& Prof. V.K. Garg & Prof. Ashok Dhawan
Co- Principal Investigator
Central University of Punjab, Bathinda
Dr. Renuka Gupta, YMCA University of Science and
Paper Coordinator Technology, Faridabad, Haryana
Dr. Renuka Gupta, YMCA University of Science and
Content Writer
Technology, Faridabad, Haryana
Content Reviewer Dr. Sunil Mittal, Central University of Punjab,
Bathinda
1
Anchor Institute Central University of Punjab
Ecosystem Structures & Functions
Environmental Module 1: Ecosystems: Concept, Structure and Functions – Part 1
Sciences
, Description of Module
Subject Name Environmental Sciences
Paper Name Ecosystem Structure & Function
Module
1. Ecosystems: Concept, Structure and Functions – Part 1
Name/Title
Module Id EVS/ESF-I/1
Pre-requisites
• To learn about earth system and its components.
• To understand the science of ecology and its types.
Objectives • To learn about the ecosystem concept and its structure.
• To understand different types of ecosystems.
• To know about ecosystem boundary, ecotone and edge effect.
Earth systems, Atmosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, ecology, autecology,
synecology, ecosystem, abiotic component, biotic components, natural ecosystems,
Keywords artificial ecosystem, ecotone, edge effect.
2
Ecosystem Structures & Functions
Environmental Module 1: Ecosystems: Concept, Structure and Functions – Part 1
Sciences
, Module 1: Ecosystems: Concept, Structure and Functions – Part 1
Contents
1.1 The Earth System and its components
1.2 Ecology and Ecosystems
1.3 Concept of Ecosystem
1.4 Ecosystem Structure
1.5 Types of Ecosystem
1.6 Ecosystem Boundary
1.1 The Earth System and its components
The earth’s life support system consists of four main components – the geosphere, the atmosphere, the
hydrosphere, and the biosphere (Fig 1.1). These components are overlapping and interrelated with
each other. A change in one is likely to result in change in one or more others. These components are
briefly described in the following way:
1. The Geosphere:
This part of earth system consists of rocks, minerals, and sediments. It includes thin outer crust, a thick
molten mantle composed mostly of rocks, and intensely hot core. Its upper portion contains soil layers
where organisms live, grow and reproduce and thus provides an important ecological habitat and basis
of many forms of life. Various processes taking place on the surface of geosphere include erosion,
weathering and transport as well as tectonic forces and volcanic activity, which result in the formation
of landforms such as mountains, hills, etc.
2. The Atmosphere:
The atmosphere is the gaseous layer surrounding the earth’s surface and held to its surface by gravity.
Its inner layer, the troposphere, consists mostly of nitrogen (78% of the total volume), oxygen (21%),
and others (1%). The others include carbon dioxide, methane and water vapours mainly, all of these
are called as greenhouse gases which absorb and release energy to warm the lower atmosphere. This
layer extends only about 17 km above sea level at the tropics and about 7 kms above the poles. The
next layer, stratosphere, extends from 17 to 50 km above the earth surface. Its lower portion consists
3
Ecosystem Structures & Functions
Environmental Module 1: Ecosystems: Concept, Structure and Functions – Part 1
Sciences
Module: 1 Ecosystems: Concept, Structure and Functions – Part 1
Development Team
Prof. R.K. Kohli
Principal Investigator
& Prof. V.K. Garg & Prof. Ashok Dhawan
Co- Principal Investigator
Central University of Punjab, Bathinda
Dr. Renuka Gupta, YMCA University of Science and
Paper Coordinator Technology, Faridabad, Haryana
Dr. Renuka Gupta, YMCA University of Science and
Content Writer
Technology, Faridabad, Haryana
Content Reviewer Dr. Sunil Mittal, Central University of Punjab,
Bathinda
1
Anchor Institute Central University of Punjab
Ecosystem Structures & Functions
Environmental Module 1: Ecosystems: Concept, Structure and Functions – Part 1
Sciences
, Description of Module
Subject Name Environmental Sciences
Paper Name Ecosystem Structure & Function
Module
1. Ecosystems: Concept, Structure and Functions – Part 1
Name/Title
Module Id EVS/ESF-I/1
Pre-requisites
• To learn about earth system and its components.
• To understand the science of ecology and its types.
Objectives • To learn about the ecosystem concept and its structure.
• To understand different types of ecosystems.
• To know about ecosystem boundary, ecotone and edge effect.
Earth systems, Atmosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, ecology, autecology,
synecology, ecosystem, abiotic component, biotic components, natural ecosystems,
Keywords artificial ecosystem, ecotone, edge effect.
2
Ecosystem Structures & Functions
Environmental Module 1: Ecosystems: Concept, Structure and Functions – Part 1
Sciences
, Module 1: Ecosystems: Concept, Structure and Functions – Part 1
Contents
1.1 The Earth System and its components
1.2 Ecology and Ecosystems
1.3 Concept of Ecosystem
1.4 Ecosystem Structure
1.5 Types of Ecosystem
1.6 Ecosystem Boundary
1.1 The Earth System and its components
The earth’s life support system consists of four main components – the geosphere, the atmosphere, the
hydrosphere, and the biosphere (Fig 1.1). These components are overlapping and interrelated with
each other. A change in one is likely to result in change in one or more others. These components are
briefly described in the following way:
1. The Geosphere:
This part of earth system consists of rocks, minerals, and sediments. It includes thin outer crust, a thick
molten mantle composed mostly of rocks, and intensely hot core. Its upper portion contains soil layers
where organisms live, grow and reproduce and thus provides an important ecological habitat and basis
of many forms of life. Various processes taking place on the surface of geosphere include erosion,
weathering and transport as well as tectonic forces and volcanic activity, which result in the formation
of landforms such as mountains, hills, etc.
2. The Atmosphere:
The atmosphere is the gaseous layer surrounding the earth’s surface and held to its surface by gravity.
Its inner layer, the troposphere, consists mostly of nitrogen (78% of the total volume), oxygen (21%),
and others (1%). The others include carbon dioxide, methane and water vapours mainly, all of these
are called as greenhouse gases which absorb and release energy to warm the lower atmosphere. This
layer extends only about 17 km above sea level at the tropics and about 7 kms above the poles. The
next layer, stratosphere, extends from 17 to 50 km above the earth surface. Its lower portion consists
3
Ecosystem Structures & Functions
Environmental Module 1: Ecosystems: Concept, Structure and Functions – Part 1
Sciences
