ECOLOGICAL BALANCE

Ecology is the science of the study of ecosystems State of dynamic equilibrium within a community of organisms Most important point being that the natural balance in an ecosystem is maintained

FACTORS INFLUENCING ENVIRONMENTS & HABITATS

Environment in which an organism lives will be determined by a range of physical factors Important concept in maintaining the ecological balance combines the ideas of spatial habitat with the functional relationships of the organisms

STEPS - ECOLOGICAL BALANCE

Primary producer (e.g. grass, tress) Primary consumer (e.g. zooplankton, grasshopper)

Secondary consumer (e.g. birds, fishes, wolf) Tertiary consumer (e.g. man, lion)

IMPORTANCE OF ECOLOGICAL BALANCE

The plants capture solar energy (photosynthesis)
Nutrient cycling: movement of nutrients via several components of the ecosystem Ecosystem service: the products of ecology or ecosystem

ECOSYSTEM
In ecology, the word ecosystem is an abbreviation of the term, ecological system Basic unit of ecology Ecosystems can be big as Sahara desert but as small as a pond

ECOSYSTEMS HAS FOUR BASIC COMPONENTS:

The biotic environment Producers

Consumers Decomposers

FOOD WEBS

Type of concept map that illustrate pathways of energy flows in an ecological community

FOOD CHAINS
Shows how energy moves from one organism to another organism in an ecosystem

MAJOR TYPES OF ECOSYSTEMS

Aquatic ecosystem Desert ecosystems Forest ecosystems Grassland ecosystems

ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT
The amount of the environment necessary to produce the goods and services necessary to support a particular lifestyle

ECOLOGICAL IMBALANCE
Naturally occurring changes in the environment which leave it unbalanced Change in the food chain it leads to ecological imbalance

CAUSES OF ECOLOGICAL IMBALANCE

Pollution due to industrialization, deforestation Fuel consumption Air conditioning equipment Expansion of urban area Change of position of water reservoir Pollution in air, water, soil, food and sound causes ecological imbalance.

OTHER CAUSES OF ECOLOGICAL IMBALANCE

Nuclear Inventions and attacks Fishing and hunting for food Improper use of non-renewable resources Cutting down the jungles Chemical waste left in the sea Green house effect Acid rain

SIMPLE PROBLEMS, DIFFICULT TO SOLVE

Drinking water

Decreasing raw food grains production Control of carbon emission

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Control use of chemicals, nuclear radiations and carbon emissions in such a way that the effect of these things will be slower or negligible.

HOW TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Use solar power Rain water harvesting Vehicle fuel (fuel cells,hydrogen,oxygen) Industrial fuel (white coal) Minimise plastic use Organic farming Reducing use of wood

HOW INDUSTRIALIZATION CAUSES ECOLOGICAL IMBALANCE

Development in technological sense involves the coming up of dams, building of roads Mining give rise to landslides Limestone industry have caused severe damage to the environment When roads are built in the mountains they create a lot of disturbance

WHY DO WE NEED TO MANAGE NATURAL RESOURCES

The three layers of the Earths crust are Lithosphere (land), Hydrosphere (water) and atmosphere (air). Life exists where all these three factors are available. Resources should be conserved to protect our environment.

 Natural resource management Improve the quality of life of the present and the future generations

This needs a special understanding of the resources and the environment to preserve them.

MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

The resources are limited and demand for all resources are increasing When we use the natural resources, we simultaneously destroy the environment Resource management should take care not to pollute the environment.

 Conservation of forest and wildlife Most important natural resources Loss of diversity may lead to ecological instability

Conservation of water resources Waste water from the industries can be purified and can be reused

 Conservation of air More trees should be planted to get fresh air. Regular emission tests to be conducted for all vehicles

MISUSE OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Direct misuse: Situations where the resource is directly destroyed or overused. Indirect misuse: Resource is indirectly destroyed. Misuse of water as natural resource

REASON FOR MISUESE OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Commercial interests like trading in the of products natural resources Ignorance on necessity to preserve natural resources Intentional destruction of natural resource Extreme population pressure Luxuries required for man Increased industrial requirement Improvement of standard of living

 Scientific research must be increased

New protocol must be negotiated

REAL SOLUTIONS
Incomplete scientific knowledge of the causes of global climate change Huge factors such as change in the sun energy, or cooling effects of volcanic eruption must be taken into account

AN URGENT STOP TO DEFORESTATION We must remember deforestation is irreversible because the humus is destroyed and prevents any further replanting.

 FAST REPLANTING Emissions of gas can be reduced quickly Replanting needs a long term program

DEVELOP NUCLEAR FUSION The best way is to develop nuclear fusion on a fast track

It is really time for one global action, and who knows maybe this is our only chance to save Earth. So what are we waiting for?