What is Ecology and Ecosystem? Understand the difference between them

Introduction

Within the vast fabric of existence,ecology and ecosystems serve as the complex elements that interconnect to tell the story of our Earth.These closely linked ideas investigate the connections between living beings and their surroundings,uncovering the enigmas of nature's fragile equilibrium.Through this blog,we set out on an adventure to examine the core ideas of ecology and the ever-changing ecosystems that influence the variety of life on our planet.

Defination of ecology and ecosystem

The word ‘Ecology’ was coined by a German biologist,Haans Reiter in 1865 and defined by another renowned biologist,Ernst Haeckel in 1870:“Scientific study of the relationships of living organisms with each other and with their environment.”The term is derived from the Greek roots ‘Oikos’ (meaning home) and ‘logos’ (meaning study or discourse).The living organisms and their physical environment are closely related with each other so that any change in the environment has an effect on the living organisms and vice versa.

Any unit or biosystem that includes all the organisms which function together (biotic community) in a given area where they interact with the physical environment is known as Ecosystem.The ecosystem is the functional unit in ecology as it consists of both the biotic community (living organisms) and abiotic environment.The latter have close interaction,essential for maintenance of life processes.The interaction is conducted by energy flow (solar energy) in the system and cycling of materials (natural cycles).An ecosystem is a functional unit where living organisms and their physical environment interact dynamically.These systems vary in size from small ponds to vast rainforests and each has its own unique species and characteristics.

From biological point of view, the ecosystem has the following constituents:

Inorganic substances (carbon, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, water etc.) involved in natural cycles.
organic compounds (proteins, carbohydrates, humic substances etc.).
air, water and substrate environment (i.e., biological base for growth) including the climatic regimes and other physical factors.
producers, autotrophic (i.e., self-sustaining organisms) green plants that can manufacture food from simple inorganic substances.
heterotrophic (i.e., depending on others for nourishment) organisms, mainly animals which live on other organisms or particulate organic matters.
micro-consumers, decomposers, mainly bacteria, fungi which obtain their energy by breaking down dead tissues or by absorbing dissolved organic matter; extracted from plants or other organisms. The decomposers release inorganic nutrients that are utilized by producers. They also supply food for macro-consumers or heterotrophic organisms (animals) and often excrete hormone-like substances that inhibit or stimulate other biotic components of the ecosystem.

Typical profiles of a grassland ecosystem and of a pond ecosystem are shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 1

The common features of all ecosystems-terrestrial, freshwater, marine and agricultural-are the interactions of the autotrophic and heterotrophic components. The major autotrophic metabolism occurs in the upper ‘green belt’ stratum where solar energy is available while the intense heterotrophic metabolism occur in the lower ‘brown belt’ where organic matter accumulates in soils and sediments.

Forest Ecology

Plants have been dominating the earth for about 3.0 billion years. They have the unique art of manufacturing their own food by photo-synthesis from nature and the rest of the living world depends on them for their food and sustenance. Plants constitute 99 per cent of earth’s living species while the rest 1 per cent includes animals and man who depend on the plant world for their food.
If this ratio (99 : l) is disturbed by elimination of plants (i.e.,deforestation), then the natural balance will be lost and the entire living world will suffer.The dynamic balance is among plants (producers), bacteria and micro-organisms (decomposers) which decompose mineral salts in soil into elements which are cycled back into plants and animals and man (consumers). Once this dynamic balance is upset, there is ecological crisis whereby the entire biosphere is in danger.
Forests are renewable resources and play a key role in improving the quality of environment by exerting beneficial effect on the life support system. Moreover, forests also contribute much to the development of the country by providing goods and services to people and industry. They are the treasure house of valuable plants and animal genes and medicinal plants, most of which are yet to be discovered. Hence tropical forests, in particular, are regarded as bioreserves. Our ancient civilization flourished in forests where Indian philosophy was built up by our ‘rishis’ (seers).
It is well-known that forests play a vital role in the life and economy of all forest dwelling tribes. They supply food (tuber, roots, leaves, fruits from plants; meat from birds and animals), medicinal herbs and other forest products for commercial use which provides for forest-based subsistence.
Around 3000 B.C. India had about 80 per cent forest cover. But waves of migrants came to India from middle-east countries which were deserts and tree-less and they changed the whole landscape. During the Maurya period of history emperor Chandra Gupta and later his grandson, Ashoka adopted the policy of tree-plantation. Emperor Ashoka also ordered the establishment of the first wildlife sanctuaries (Abhay Aranya). Engraved scriptures on stone walls, pillars in this era show how wild animals were treated with medicine and care while trees and plants were given special attention and their destruction prohibited.
During the Moghul period the picture was in sharp contrast as the Moghuls came from desert areas—they transformed forests into agricultural lands. During the British period the rate of conversion into agricultural land continued. They also exploited forests for timber for laying communication system (e.g., railway lines, roads) particularly after 1867 (India’s First War of Independence/Sepoy Mutiny). After our Independence in 1947 the situation did not improve, rather the trend continued for drawing revenue from forests. The net result is that the forest cover has dwindled from 80 per cent to about 12 per cent in 5000 years. India has been losing 1.3 million hectares (1 ha = 2.5 acres) of forests each year.
The main causes for forest destruction are human population and livestock population explosion (livestock means cattle, goats, buffaloes, sheep). The latter puts tremendous pressure on forests for meeting their demands for timber and fuel wood (for man) and grazing land (for livestock). At the global level wood consumption is 46 per cent for industrial and 54 per cent for firewood purposes. The present requirements in India (2000 A.D.) are 78 per cent for fuel wood, 16 per cent for timber and 6 per cent for pulpwood (for paper industry).

Sustainable Ecosystem

The developing countries face today the critical situation on economic and environmental fronts. For economic growth they have to give priority to agricultural and industrial bases but at the cost of environment. The resource base, once depleted, sets in a chain of environmental degradation which finally weakens the economy.

Our population explosion remains the core issue. Our development policy should be such that the ecosystem is sustainable i.e., it contains the element of renewability. This requires sound management strategy which ensures the continuation of socioeconomic development in the long run.

The important components of sustainable development/ecosystem are:

Population stabilization
Integrated land use planning
Conservation of biodiversity
Air and water pollution control
Renewable energy resources
Recycling of wastes and residues
Environmental education and awareness at all levels

Conservation and practices that are sustainable

In the face of environmental challenges,ecological awareness is essential.Conservation efforts work to save biodiversity, endangered species and degraded ecosystems.Sustainable practices like responsible resource management and habitat preservation are crucial for ecosystem health and resilience.

Conclusion

Understanding the complex interactions of life on Earth is facilitated by ecology and ecosystems.Recognizing our responsibility as caretakers of the environment,we can strive for a balanced relationship with nature.Valuing ecology and ecosystems is not just a scientific pursuit but a plea for the protection of Earth's diverse and flourishing biodiversity.