Ecosystem

 Q.5. Differentiate between the following:

(a)    Forest ecosystem and Pond ecosystem

(b)   Forests and Grassland ecosystem

(c)    Fresh water and Marine ecosystem

(d)   Desert and Aquatic ecosystem

(e)   Primary succession and Secondary succession

Ans. 

(a) Difference between Ecosystem and Pond Ecosystem

Basis	Forest ecosystem	Pond ecosystem
Meaning	Forest ecosystem is a system in which plants, animals and microorganisms exist and interact among themselves.	Pond ecosystem is a small temporary water body with high water levels in the monsoon.
Perennial	Forests are perennial in nature as they are present throughout the year.	Pond remain in the monsoon season and dry up in summers. They are temporary in nature.
Food chains	Food chains are long in forests due to its rich diversity.	Food chains tend to be short in ponds.
Life span	Life span of flora and fauna is long in forests.	Life span is generally shorter because of the seasonal nature of ponds.
Examples of a few species	Trees, lions, elephants, foxes, etc.	Fishes, fungi, algae, etc.

 

 (b)   Forests and Grassland ecosystem

Basis	Forest Ecosystem	Grassland Ecosystem
Meaning	Forest ecosystem is a system in which plants, animals and microorganisms exist and interact among themselves.	Grassland Ecosystem contain patches of land with grass and a few annual plants with poor soil quality and low rainfall.
Biodiversity	Forest have greater biodiversity as it is a place of habitat for several products.	Grasslands on the other hand have very little diversity.
Utilisation	Forest provide us with fruits, wood, fuel and other products.	Grasslands are mainly used for grazing purposes.
Threat	Urbanization and deforestation for several purposes is the biggest threat.	Overgrazing by cattle population is the biggest threat.

 

(c)    Fresh water and Marine ecosystem

Basis	Fresh water ecosystem	Marine ecosystem
Meaning	Fresh water ecosystems are systems which contain running water or what that is drinkable in nature.	Marine ecosystems are generally large water bodies with a variety of plants and animals.
Nature	Fresh water contains less of salt.	Marine ecosystems are generally salty in nature.
Adaptation	Species can adapt better to changes in the ecosystem.	Species cannot bear changes in temperature or water levels.
Threat	Pollutants from industries, over utilization are the biggest threats.	Plastic waste, snails, oil pills are the biggest threat.
Examples of a few species	Catfish, frog, tadpoles, etc.	Sharks, snails, turtles, etc.

 

(d)   Desert and Aquatic ecosystem 

Basis	Desert ecosystem	Aquatic ecosystem
Meaning	Desert ecosystem is an ecosystem with low rainfall and is extremely dry.	Aquatic ecosystems are water bodies with great biodiversity.
Nature	Temperature in these places are extreme in nature. E.g.: Thar Desert	Aquatic ecosystems have moderate temperatures.
Adaptation	Species have adapted to conserving water and bearing high temperatures. E.g.: cactus	Species cannot bear major changes in temperature or water levels. They have adapted to live in water with the aid of swimming. E.g.: fishes with their fins.
Threat	Loss of biodiversity, extreme climate are the biggest threats.	Plastic waste, oil spills, pollutants from industries are the biggest threats.
Examples of a few species	Cactus, rabbits, snakes, etc.	Sharks, snails, turtles, fishes, etc.

 

 (e)    Primary succession and Secondary succession

Basis	Primary succession	Secondary succession
Meaning	Primary succession occurs on a new piece of land such as sand or rocks.	Secondary succession occurs on existing layer of soil.
Sequence	Primary succession happens before as a new layer of soil has to be formed for growth.	Secondary succession happens after primary succession.
Dominance	No species are dominant as the first set of species decompose in order to build a layer of soil.	Dominant species create their own ecosystem.
Example	A forest when it grows on a barren piece of land.	A forest ecosystem turning into an aquatic ecosystem due to deforestation.