Food web

Intermixing of food chains

Energy Flow in Ecosystems

First Law of
Thermodynamics energy
can neither be created nor
destroyed but only is
transformed from one form
to another.

10 Percent Rule of Energy

As a rule of thumb, 90
percent of the energy
involved is degraded at
each trophic transfer and
only 10 percent of the
energy is conserved in the
organism's tissue.
Energy flow in ecosystem and 10% Rule
1. What is a food chain?

a) A long chain made of food

b) Process of preparing food
c) Food where locked by chain
d) Pathway that energy and nutrients flow through the ecosystem

2. Why organisms in food chains are grouped into categories?

a) To form community
b) To share the energy
c) To form trophic levels
d) To get more energy
1. What is a food chain?
a) A long chain made of food
b) Process of preparing food
c) Food where locked by chain
d) Pathway that energy and nutrients flow through the ecosystem

Answer: d
Explanation: Energy living organisms need food to get energy and thus to survive. The
food chain describes who eats whom in the wild. Different habitats and ecosystems
provide many possible food chains that make up a food web.

2. Why organisms in food chains are grouped into categories?

a) To form community
b) To share the energy
c) To form trophic levels
d) To get more energy

Answer: c
Explanation: Trophic levels are the levels within the food chain where an organism
obtains its energy. This energy depends on whether the organism is producers,
consumers or decomposers. The number of trophic levels in food chains varies from
three to five.
3. What role human plays in food chains?
a) Producers
b) Consumers
c) Humans do not involve in food chains
d) Decomposers

4. Why do all food chains start with plants?

a) Because plants are easily grown
b) Because plants are nutritious
c) Because plants can produce its own energy
d) Because plants do not require energy
3. What role human plays in food chains?
a) Producers
b) Consumers
c) Humans do not involve in food chains
d) Decomposers

Answer: b
Explanation: Humans are consumers in the food chain. Humans depend on other
organisms or plants for energy and they can’t generate own energy. Humans eat both
plants and animals. Humans can be classified into both primary and secondary
consumers based on food chain.

4. Why do all food chains start with plants?

a) Because plants are easily grown
b) Because plants are nutritious
c) Because plants can produce its own energy
d) Because plants do not require energy

Answer: c
Explanation: The whole food chain depends on the producers. Plants are the only
producers. The plants are autotrophs, as they produce their own food by the process
of photosynthesis. Food is the source of energy in living being, thus plants are
required to start food chains.
5. How many types of ecological models are there?

a) One
b) Two
c) Three
d) Four

6. Food chains are often used in ecological modeling.

a) True
b) False
5. How many types of ecological models are there?
a) One
b) Two
c) Three
d) Four

Answer: b
Explanation: There are two major types of ecological models which are used they are,
analytic models and computational models. Analytic models are simple systems
where computational models use numerical techniques to solve problems.

6. Food chains are often used in ecological modeling.

a) True
b) False

Answer: a
Explanation: Ecological model is a mathematical representation of an ecological
system includes individual population and ecological community which are studied to
better understand the real system. Ecosystem models provide a description of climate
and stand metrics.
7. Which of the following food chain correctly describes the flow of energy in an
ecosystem?

a) Grass->lion->human
b) Cow->grass->lion
c) Grass->goat->human
d) Leaf->bird->lizard

8. If there is a shortage of deer in forest, what tiger might do?

a) Eat grassland leaves

b) Die due to starvation
c) Hunt for other animals
d) Fasting until they find deer
7. Which of the following food chain correctly describes the flow of energy in an
ecosystem?
a) Grass->lion->human
b) Cow->grass->lion
c) Grass->goat->human
d) Leaf->bird->lizard

Answer: c
Explanation: Usually energy flows from one trophic level to the next higher trophic
level. In the above answer, grass is the lowest trophic level and it is a producer.
Goat eats grass to get energy. Goat is a primary consumer. Human eat goat for
energy and human belongs to the secondary consumer.

8. If there is a shortage of deer in forest, what tiger might do?

a) Eat grassland leaves
b) Die due to starvation
c) Hunt for other animals
d) Fasting until they find deer

Answer: c
Explanation: In any food chain, one particular animal do not depend on another
particular animal. Consumers depend on the producers for energy but that producer
may not be particular for consumers all the time.
 Ecological Pyramid
The graphical representations of different trophic levels in an ecosystem
where producers occupy the base and the top consumer occupy the apex of
the pyramid, is known as ecological pyramid .
They are used to illustrate the feeding relationships between organisms.
Food chains and food webs do not give any information about the numbers
of organisms involved.
This information can be shown through ecological pyramids.
Types of Ecological Pyramids
•Pyramid of number
•Pyramid of biomass
•Pyramid of energy
 Pyramid of Number
 Pyramid of number is used to show the number of individuals in each
trophic level.

 It is upright in case of grassland and pond ecosystems.

 Pyramid of Biomass tertiary
consumers 75 g/m2
Pyramid of biomass records
the total dry organic matter of
secondary 150g/m2
organisms at each trophic consumers

level in a given area of an primary 675g/m2

consumers
ecosystem.
The pyramid of biomass is used 2000g/m2
producers
to show the total biomass of
individuals at each trophic level.
It is better than the pyramid of
number for showing the
relationships between organisms.
 Pyramid of energy
 Pyramid of energy is used to
show the amount of energy
transferred between trophic
levels.
 It provides the best
representation of the overall
nature of an ecosystem.
 The pyramid of energy flow is
always upright because there is
always loss of energy while
moving from lower trophic
level to higher trophic level.
 Therefore, the energy reaching
the next trophic level is always
less compared to that in the
previous trophic level.
9. In the food relationship, where the tiger eats the deer and the deer eats plants.
Which of the following conditions is true?
a) The tiger is the prey
b) The tiger is the primary consumer
c) The deer is the predator
d) The deer is the prey

10. Which of the following condition is true about food chain?

a) Provide more energy for next trophic level
b) Provides food for succeeding organisms
c) Consume energy from next trophic level
d) Do not pass energy to next trophic level
9. In the food relationship, where the tiger eats the deer and the deer eats plants.
Which of the following conditions is true?
a) The tiger is the prey
b) The tiger is the primary consumer
c) The deer is the predator
d) The deer is the prey

Answer: d
Explanation: In the above relationship of food chain of the tiger and deer, the tiger
is the predator and the deer is the prey. In other words, the tiger is the secondary
consumer and the deer is the primary consumer.

10. Which of the following condition is true about food chain?

a) Provide more energy for next trophic level
b) Provides food for succeeding organisms
c) Consume energy from next trophic level
d) Do not pass energy to next trophic level

Answer: b
Explanation: In a food chain, the organisms provide food for succeeding organisms
irrespective whether they are producers or consumers. Plants which are producer
gives energy to the primary consumers like deer and this deer gives energy to
secondary consumer say carnivores.
12. Which of the following factor diminishing as food chain proceeds?

a) Pressure
b) Energy
c) Nutrition
d) Temperature

13. Which of the following organisms begins marine food chains?

a) Phytoplankton
b) Fishes
c) Zooplankton
d) Corals
12. Which of the following factor diminishing as food chain proceeds?
a) Pressure
b) Energy
c) Nutrition
d) Temperature

Answer: b
Explanation: During the transfer of energy of organic food from one trophic level to
the next, only about 10% of the energy from organic matter is stored as flesh. The
remaining is lost during transfer, broken down in respiration or due to incomplete
digestion by higher trophic levels.

13. Which of the following organisms begins marine food chains?

a) Phytoplankton
b) Fishes
c) Zooplankton
d) Corals

Answer: a
Explanation: Marine food chain begins with phytoplankton. Phytoplankton is
microscopic marine algae. Phytoplankton provides the foundation of the sea’s food
chain in a balanced system. This phytoplankton captures the sun’s energy through
photosynthesis.
 Ecological Succession

Ecological succession is the gradual process by which ecosystems change and

develop over time. It is therefore a series of predictable temporary communities or
stages leading up to a climax community. Each stage/temporary community is
called a successional stage. Each step prepares the land for the next successional
stage. All habitats are in the state of constant ecological succession.

Environment is always kept on changing over a period of time due to

(i)variations in climatic and physiographic factors, and

(ii) the activities of the species of the communities themselves.

Ecological Succession is an orderly sequence of different

communities over a period of time.
Types of ecological succession

Primary Succession Secondary Succession

Primary succession is the process by which an area first

changes from bare rock into a functioning ecosystem.

Secondary succession is the process by which an already

existing plant community is replaced by another plant
community.
 Primary Succession

• The development of an
ecosystem in an area that has
never had a community living
within it occurs by a process
called PRIMARY SUCCESSION.
• An example of an area in which a
community has never lived
before, would be a new lava or
rock from a volcano that makes a
new island. 22
Continue…
Primary succession is the process by which an area first
changes from bare rock into a functioning ecosystem.
 Secondary Succession
• SECONDARY SUCCESSION begins in habitats where communities were
entirely or partially destroyed by some kind of damaging event.
• When an existing community has been cleared by a disturbance such
as a fire, tornado, etc...and the soil remains intact, the area begins to
return to its natural community.
• Because these habitats previously supported life, secondary
succession, unlike primary succession, begins on substrates that
already bear soil. In addition, the soil contains a native seed bank.
• Since the soil is already in place, secondary succession can take place
five to ten times faster than primary succession.
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 Continue…
Secondary succession is the process by which an ecosystem
that has been destroyed gradually returns to its previous
state.
The Circle of Life in Secondary Succession

26
 The Climax Community
• A climax community is a mature,
stable community that is the
final stage of ecological
succession.
• In an ecosystem with a climax
community, the conditions
continue to be suitable for all
the members of the community.
• Any particular region has its
own set of climax species, which
are the plants that are best
adapted for the area and will
persist after succession has
finished, until another
disturbance clears the area.
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 Process / Stages of Ecological Succession

Nudation- Succession begins with the development of a bare

site, called Nudation (disturbance).

Invasion
•Migration- It refers to arrival of propagules (seeds), dispersion.
•Ecesis- It involves establishment and initial growth of
vegetation.
•Aggregation- It involves increase in number of species.

Competition- As vegetation became well established, grew, and

spread, various species began to compete for space, light and
nutrients. This phase is called competition.

Stabilization- Reaction phase leads to development of a climax

community.
1. In ecological succession, the intermediate developmental phase is known as
(a) ecesis
(b) climax
(c) nudation
(d) sere

2. This is true about secondary succession

(a) follows primary succession
(b) takes place on a deforested site
(c) is similar to primary succession except that it has a relatively slower pace
(d) begins on a bare rock

3. Lithosphere serves as a reservoir for

(a) nitrogen cycles
(b) carbon cycles
(c) oxygen cycles
(d) phosphorus cycles
1. In ecological succession, the intermediate developmental phase is known as
(a) ecesis
(b) climax
(c) nudation
(d) sere
Answer: (d)

2. This is true about secondary succession

(a) follows primary succession
(b) takes place on a deforested site
(c) is similar to primary succession except that it has a relatively slower pace
(d) begins on a bare rock
Answer: (b)

3. Lithosphere serves as a reservoir for

(a) nitrogen cycles
(b) carbon cycles
(c) oxygen cycles
(d) phosphorus cycles
Answer: (d)
 Study of some common ecosystems

• Terrestrial ecosystem
o Grassland ecosystem
o Desert ecosystem
o Forest ecosystem

• Aquatic ecosystem
o Pond ecosystem
o Ocean ecosystem
 Forest Ecosystem
Abiotic Components
Inorganic and organic substances found in the
soil, climatic factors, e.g., temperature,
humidity, rainfall, and light.
Biotic Components
Producers
Different kinds of trees depending upon the climate

Consumers
Different kinds of primary, secondary, and tertiary consumers, e.g., deer,
elephant, moles, snakes, lizards, lion, and tiger

Decomposers
These are various kinds of bacteria and fungi
 Grassland ecosystem

• All grasslands in the world are categorize into the following two types:

• Tropical grasslands- closets to equator and are hot throughout the year.

• Temperate grasslands - farther from the equator and have both hot
summers and harsh winters.
 Grassland Ecosystem
Abiotic Components

Inorganic elements (C, H, O, N, P, S), climatic components,

temperature, rainfall, light, etc.

Biotic Components
Producers
Mainly grasses with a few scattered trees

Consumers
Deer, rabbit, giraffe, etc., are herbivores,
while wolf, leopard, etc., are carnivores

Decomposers
Mainly bacteria and fungi
 Desert Ecosystem
Abiotic Components
Low rainfall, high temperature, and
sandy soil

Biotic Components

Producers
Predominantly thorny shrubs, cactus, opuntia, etc.

Consumers
Different insects, lizards, reptiles, nocturnal rodents, birds, etc.

Decomposers
Various bacteria and fungi
 Pond Ecosystem
Abiotic Components
It includes organic and inorganic substances,
atmospheric gases dissolved in water, minerals
found in dissolved state, etc.
Biotic Components
Producers
Submerged floating and emergent aquatic plants
For example, nelumbo, hydrilla, chara, etc.

Consumers
May be primary, secondary, or tertiary, e.g., small fishes, beetles,
mollusca, crustaceans, etc.

Decomposers
Chiefly bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, etc.
 Ocean Ecosystem
Abiotic Components
It includes organic and inorganic substances,
atmospheric gases dissolved in water, minerals
found in dissolved state, etc.
Biotic Components
Producers
Submerged floating and emergent aquatic plants
For example, nelumbo, hydrilla, chara, etc.

Consumers
May be primary, secondary, or tertiary, e.g., small fishes, beetles,
mollusca, crustaceans, etc.

Decomposers
Chiefly bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, etc.
4. This is not a climax vegetation
(a) grasses
(b) savannah
(c) forests
(d) hydrophytes

5. This about ecological succession is incorrect

(a) food chain relationships become more complex
(b) species diversity increases as succession proceeds
(c) role of decomposers becomes all the more important
(d) is a random process

6. An example of plants occupying the second stage of hydrosere is

(a) Salix
(b) Vallisneria
(c) Azolla
(d) Typha
4. This is not a climax vegetation
(a) grasses
(b) savannah
(c) forests
(d) hydrophytes
Answer: (d)

5. This about ecological succession is incorrect

(a) food chain relationships become more complex
(b) species diversity increases as succession proceeds
(c) role of decomposers becomes all the more important
(d) is a random process
Answer: (d)

6. An example of plants occupying the second stage of hydrosere is

(a) Salix
(b) Vallisneria
(c) Azolla
(d) Typha
Answer: (b)
7. On the sand, ecological succession is
(a) halosere
(b) xerosere
(c) hydrosere
(d) psammosere

8. Order of basic processes involved in succession is

(a) invasion -> stabilization -> completion and coaction -> reaction -> nudation
(b) nudation -> stabilization -> completion and coaction -> invasion -> reaction
(c) invasion -> nudation -> completion and coaction -> reaction -> stabilization
(d) nudation -> invasion -> completion and coaction -> reaction -> stabilization

9. Process of the successful establishment of species in a new area is known as

(a) climax
(b) sere
(c) ecesis
(d) invasion

10. In ecological succession, the final stable community is known as

(a) climax community
(b) ultimate community
(c) final community
(d) seral community
7. On the sand, ecological succession is
(a) halosere
(b) xerosere
(c) hydrosere
(d) psammosere
Answer: (d)
8. Order of basic processes involved in succession is
(a) invasion -> stabilization -> completion and coaction -> reaction -> nudation
(b) nudation -> stabilization -> completion and coaction -> invasion -> reaction
(c) invasion -> nudation -> completion and coaction -> reaction -> stabilization
(d) nudation -> invasion -> completion and coaction -> reaction -> stabilization
Answer: (d)
9. Process of the successful establishment of species in a new area is known as
(a) climax
(b) sere
(c) ecesis
(d) invasion
Answer: (c)
10. In ecological succession, the final stable community is known as
(a) climax community
(b) ultimate community
(c) final community
(d) seral community
Answer: (a)