Biotic Components - Structural and Functional Dynamics - Essay Example

?Biotic Components Biotic Components Biotic components Pond ecosystem The major structural and functional dynamics (processes) ofthat ecosystem including change over time Structural components are the living and the long living things in an ecosystem, or can be called biotic and a-biotic components in an ecosystem. The a-biotic components in a pond ecosystem include, water, light and soil. The biotic components include producers, consumers and decomposers. The beginner of the pond ecosystem is sun. Producers use sunlight and convert carbon dioxide and water into organic compounds and oxygen through a process called photosynthesis. Other most important nutrition for plants is nitrogen and phosphorus. Wandering plants or the phytoplankton (Volvox, Oscillatoria, Diatoms, Spirogyra, Zygnema, Hydrodictyon, Desmids, etc) go through the process of photosynthesis and release oxygen in the water which can be used by bacteria and animals in the pond. Likewise, the Periphytic algae (attached to the rocks and other substances) carry out photosynthesis and provide oxygen in the bottom of the pond so the decomposers can use it. The submerged plants and the Floating plants (Nelumbium, Nymphea, Blixa, Eicchornia, Pistia etc) provide oxygen to the pond and the emergent plants, to the environment outside the pond. This is the first level. Herbivores and carnivorous belong to the second level and are called consumers. Herbivores feed on plants and get energy whereas the carnivores feed on herbivorous and get energy. But whenever an animal or a plant is not consumed by any other animal, that matter is decomposed by decomposers, which are on the 3rd level. The tissues are broken down into much simpler compounds which are again used by the plants for nutrients. As energy is converter, some of it is released in the form of heat in the water to maintain the inner functions of the cells in every organism. Nutrient cycle Carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen are really important for a cell. The process through which these substances pass from on organism to another or from on cell to the other is called nutrient cycle. Change over time The health of an ecosystem can be endangered by several changes over time. If specie is killed in the pond, it can be highly dangerous for other living in the pond as many animals might feed on that specie for nutrients and the whole system might crash. Due to the climate change, excessive heat in the environment, drought can appear killing all the species living there. The growth of thick trees around the pond can block the passage of sunlight to the pond, resulting in death of plants and thus the animals. Besides this, natural succession can occur which can totally change the biotic community. It actually occurs due to the changes in the plants, animals or other a-biotic factors, and so a new eco cycle can begin How humans may have affected biogeochemical cycles in that ecosystem. There are many ways a human might affect the pond ecosystem. Nitrogen cycle affected: During transportation, ammonia is released in the atmosphere, which is absorbed in the pond. Fertilizers are highly harmful for the fishes as it contains nitrites and nitrates and thus can affect the nitrogen cycle. Ammonia is extremely toxic to fish and should be removed or converted into harmless matter. If the level of ammonia increases in the pond, fishes can die. New agricultural practices have highly disturbed the nitrogen cycle of the pond. In order to fulfill the agricultural demands for food, there is an extensive usage of nitrogen gas in the green house which enters the pond through different means. Carbon cycle affected: Accumulation of Carbon dioxide in the pond is highly dangerous for the fish species living in it. If the carbon dioxide amount is high in the pond, it would be difficult for the fishes to remove their internal carbon dioxide in the water, resulting in accumulation in fish blood. This inhibits and endangers the ability of hemoglobin in the fish blood, and thus causes suffocation for fishes. Bioaccumulation and Biomagnifications: Bioaccumulation can occur when human drain the contaminants in the pond. The contaminants entering the pound are absorbed in the tissues of species inhabited. This is highly dangerous and results in the accumulation of contaminants (mercury etc) over time. This happens when the species at the lower tropical level with contaminants are consumed by specie at a higher tropical level. Endocrine Disrupting Substances: People can pollute pond water with Endocrine disrupting substances (EDS), which are pollutants have the tendency to alter the growth, development and the reproduction of aquatic organisms. EDS are found highly in alkylphenolics (detergents used to remove oils), agricultural pesticides etc. If consumed by fish, can destroy fish embryo and damage fish reproduction organs. How knowledge about that ecosystem’s structure and function can help or has helped to develop plans for its management and restoration Many plans have been made for the management and restoration of pond. Michigan University extensions wrote a paper on pond management, according to which, many local runoffs are diverted and kept away from the pond. Certain chemicals are used in the pond to keep aquatic vegetation at a proper level. Chemicals can help to keep the plants and animals’ chemistry in great balance as it is necessary for a healthy ecosystem. To manage the pond, it is essential to eliminate exotic species if any. Natural ponds can be dug to 15 feet or more so that in winter, the temperature can be maintained in the pond. Pond liners are effective to control the growth of submerged weeds. To prevent drought during summer, water can be poured into the pond to maintain the pond and its chemical balance. A pH value of 7-8 is maintained as it is good for fishes. Research has been conducted on putting frogs in the pond. Frogs are healthy for the pond ecosystem and its ecology. For the restoration of ponds, overgrown water plants, overgrown reeds, floating weeds are eliminated from the pond as it causes suffocation in the pond. Algae in the pond can decolorize and can limit a pond’s conservation potential. Hence they are cleared for a healthy environment. Chemicals are applied to the surface of the pond to kill floating algae as they give a bad color and odor to the pond. To avoid bloom in the pond, water aeration is a method. It keeps the water clean and maintained. Accumulated copper in the pond is highly dangerous to the lives breathing there. Herbicides for aquatic weed control create similar problems. References Pond Ecosystem. (n.d.). Retrieved August 19, 2011, from Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies: http://www.caryinstitute.com/sites/default/files/education/curriculum/readings/1B3_pond_ecosystem_reading.pdf Gaden, M. (n.d.). Pond Management. Retrieved August 19, 2011, from Michigan State University Extension: http://waterresources.msue.msu.edu/WQWEB/Pondmgmt.pdf Read More