CENTRAL UNIVERSITY OF HARYANA

(MAHENDRAGARH)

(ECOSYSTEM)
Ecological Indicators , Ecological Efficiencies and
Biogeochemical Cycles in Ecosystem

SUBMITTED TO:- Submitted by :-

Dr. ANITA SINGH SASWATI ACHARYA

Roll No. 240659
Department of Environmental
Sciences MSc. EVs
 ECOLOGICAL
EFFICIENCIES

ECOLOGICAL BIOGEOCHEMICAL
INDICATORS CYCLES IN
TOPICS ECOSYSTEM
CONTENTS
(Ecological Indicators)

• Introduction
• Types of Ecological Indicators
• Role of ecological indicators in -
:- Environmental Sciences
:- Forestry
• Case study of ecological indicators.
• Advantages and disadvantages of ecological indicators .
Introduction
Ecological indicators are vital tools that help scientists and environmentalists to understand the
health and status of specific ecosystems. By using these indicators, you can assess the effects of
external pressures like pollution, climate change, and human activities on natural habitats.
Ecological indicators are measurable characteristics of the environment that provide information
on the overall health of an ecosystem. They serve as proxies for direct measurement by
reflecting complex ecological states and diagnosing specific environmental problems.
Key functions of ecological indicators include:

 Monitoring ecosystem changes

 Predicting future environmental conditions
 Guiding conservation strategies
 Quantifying the impacts of human activities
Types of Ecological Indicators
There are four major types of ecological indicators :-
 Biological Indicators: These include species populations, community composition,
and genetic variability. They help identify changes in ecosystem structure and
function.
 Chemical Indicators: These refer to water and soil chemistry, including pH,
nutrients, and contaminants. Chemical indicators are crucial for pollutant detection.
 Physical Indicators: These include physical properties like soil erosion, land
structure, and geomorphological features. They depict changes in landscape and
physical environment.
 Composite Indicators: A combination of various factors, providing a holistic view
of ecosystem health by using both biotic and abiotic measures.
Role of ecological indicators in
environmental Sciences
Ecological indicators play a crucial role in understanding and managing environmental conditions.
By monitoring these indicators, you can gain insights into ecosystem health, detect pollution levels,
and gauge the impacts of climate change and human activities on the natural world. They serve as
essential tools in environmental science for decision-making and conservation efforts.
IMPORTANCE OF ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS IN AGRICULTURE:-
 Soil organic matter: Indicates soil fertility and microbial activity.
 Water quality parameters: Such as pH and nutrients that affect irrigation and crop health.
 Biodiversity indices: Reflect the presence of beneficial organisms and overall ecosystem health.

By applying these indicators, sustainable agriculture can be advanced, maintaining a balance

between productivity and ecological preservation.
•An example of an ecological indicator in agriculture is the diversity of earthworms in the soil. High
earthworm counts typically indicate healthy soil with good structure and nutrient cycling.
•Using biological indicators such as plant species diversity can help detect early signs of soil
degradation.
Role of ecological indicators in forestry
•In forestry, ecological indicators are used to manage forest resources
sustainably by monitoring forest health, biodiversity, and regeneration
status. These indicators allow you to track the effects of logging, climate
changes, and other disturbances on forest ecosystems.

Key ecological indicators in forestry include:

 Tree growth rates: Offer information on forest productivity and health.
 Species diversity: Reflects overall ecosystem stability and resilience.
 Forest canopy cover: Affects microclimate conditions and habitat
availability.
The strategic use of these indicators enables foresters to make better
decisions for conservation and sustainable resource management.
Common Ecological Indicators in Ecosystems
•In various ecosystems, ecological indicators serve different functions to help you
gauge environmental quality and changes. Here are some common types of
ecological indicators used:
 Biodiversity Indicators: These assess species richness and abundance,
which indicate the health and stability of ecosystems.
 Water Quality Indicators: Nutrient levels, turbidity, and pH levels, revealing
information about pollution and ecosystem balance.
 Soil Health Indicators: Include organic matter content and erosion rates,
showing soil fertility and land degradation.
•Each of these indicators offers insights into specific aspects of ecosystem health,
allowing for targeted conservation and restoration efforts.
•An example of a biodiversity indicator is counting the number of pollinator species
in a given area. A high diversity of pollinators usually signals a healthy, balanced
ecosystem.
Case Studies of Ecological Indicators
•Studying real-world applications highlights the effectiveness of ecological indicators.
Let's explore some notable case studies:
 Great Barrier Reef: Ecological indicators like coral cover and fish diversity have
been used to monitor reef health and human impact.
 Amazon Rainforest: Indicators such as deforestation rates and species surveys
help gauge the effects of logging and climate change.
 Wetland Areas: Waterbird populations serve as indicators of wetland health,
signaling changes in water levels and habitat quality.
•These case studies demonstrate how ecological indicators are pivotal in assessing
environmental changes and guiding policy decisions for ecosystem management.
EXAMPLE:-
In the Chesapeake Bay area, monitoring levels of submerged aquatic vegetation is used
as an indicator of water quality and ecosystem health, influencing restoration efforts.
Advantages of ecological indicators
•Early Detection: Provide early warning signs of environmental changes, allowing
for timely interventions.
•Simplified Monitoring: Simplify complex data into understandable trends,
helping to track ecosystem health efficiently.
•Cost-efficient: Focus on key species or processes, reducing the need for
exhaustive ecosystem assessments.
•Policy Support: Offer practical insights that inform decision-making and
environmental policy.
•Biodiversity Focus: Help conserve biodiversity by monitoring keystone species
or critical habitats.
Disadvantages of ecological indicators
•Oversimplification: May miss important ecological processes by simplifying
complex ecosystems.
•Natural Variability: Difficult to distinguish between normal fluctuations and
significant ecological changes.
•Context-specific: Some indicators may not apply universally, limiting their
broader use.
•Delayed Responses: Indicators might not reflect changes until damage is
already significant.
•Resource Demands: Can still require significant time, expertise, and resources
to develop and maintain.
 CONTENT
(Ecological efficiency)

1. Introduction
2. Energy flow in an ecosystem
3. Qualifying ecological efficiency
4. Ten percent law
5. Applications
 Introduction
Ecological efficiency describe the efficiency
with which energy is transferred from one
tropic level to the next . It is determined by a
combination of efficiencies relating to
organismic resource acquisition and
assimilation in an ecosystem.
ENERGY FLOW IN AN ECOSYSTEM
 ENERGY FLOW IN AN ECOSYSTEM
• Energy transfer between trophic levels is generally inefficient, Such that net production at one trophic
level is generally only 10% of the net production at the preceding trophic level (ten percent law)
• Due to non- predatory death, egestion and cellular respiration, a significant amount of energy is lost
to the environment instead of being absorbed for production by consumers
• The figure approximates the fraction of energy available after each stage of energy loss in a typical
ecosystem, although these fractions vary greatly from ecosystem to ecosystem and from trophic level
to trophic level generally
• The loss of energy by a factor of one half from each of the steps of non-predatory death defecation,
and respiration is typical of many living system
• The net production at one trophic level is 1/2x1/2x1/2= 1/8 or approximately ten percent that of the
trophic level before it.
 Quantifying the ecological efficiencies

Ecological efficiency is a combination of several related efficiencies that describe resource utilization
and the extent to which resources are converted into biomass.
• Exploitation efficiency is that amount of food ingested divided by the amount of prey production. ⁃
• Assimilation efficiency is the amount of assimilation divided by thee amount of food ingestion. Net
production efficiency is the amount of consumer production divided by the amount of assimilation.
• Gross production efficiency is the assimilation efficiency multiplied by the net production efficiency,
which is equivalent to the amount of consumer production divided by amount of ingestion.
• Ecological efficiency is the exploitation efficiency multiplied by the net production efficiency, which
is equivalent to the amount of consumer production divided by the amount of prey production.
Ten percent law
According to this law, during the transfer of organic food energy from one trophic level to
the next higher level, only about ten percent of the transferred energy is stored as flesh.
The remaining is lost during transfer, broken down in respiration, or lost to incomplete
digestion by higher trophic level.
• When organisms are consumed approximately 10% of the food is fixed into their flesh
and is available for next trophic level (carnivores or omnivores) .
• When a carnivore or an omnivore in turn consumers that animal, only about 10% of
energy is fixed in its flesh for the higher level
The ten percent law provides a basic understanding on the cycling of food chains the
ten percent law shows the inefficiency of energy capture at each successive trophic
level. ◦
The rational conclusion by sourcing food as close to the initial source as possible

Formula
Energy at n(th) level =
(energy given by sun/(10)^(n+1)
Only 10 % passes to next level. Therefore , ~90% LOSS at each trophic level.
 Application

• In agriculture environments, maximizing energy transfer from producer (food) to

consumer (livestock) can yield economic benefits.
• A sub-field of agricultural science has emerged that explores methods of monitoring and
improving ecological and related efficiencies.
• In comparing the next efficiency of energy utilization bye cattle, breeds historically kept
for beef production, such as the herefore , out performed those kept for dairy production,
such as the holstein , in converting energy from feed into stored energy as tissue
• It is the result of the beef cattle storing more body fat than the dairy cattle, as energy
storage as protein was at the same level for both breeds.
• It implies that cultivation of cattle for slaughter is a more efficient use of feed than is
cultivation for milk production

• It is possible to improve the efficiency of energy use by livestock, it is vital to the

world food question to also consider the differences between animal husbandry and
plan agriculture .

• Calcoric concentration in fat tissues are higher than in plant tissues, causing high-fat
organisms to be most energetically – concentrated.
◦
• The energy required to cultivate feed for livestock is only partially converted into
cells.

• The most of the energy input into cultivating feed is respired or egested by the
livestock and unable to be used by humans
 CONTENT
(BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES IN ECOSYSTEM)

• Introduction
• Carbon cycle
• Nitrogen cycle
• Oxygen cycle
• Sulphur cycle
• Hydrologic cycle
• Phosphorus cycle
 INTRODUCTION
Biogeochemical cycles are natural processes that recycle nutrients like carbon,
nitrogen, and water through Earth's atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and
biosphere. These cycles involve biological, geological, and chemical interactions,
ensuring the continuous movement and transformation of essential elements,
supporting life and maintaining ecosystem balance. Examples include the carbon
and nitrogen cycles.
Carbon cycle
The carbon cycle is the process through
which carbon moves between Earth's
atmosphere, oceans, soil, and living
organisms. Plants absorb atmospheric
carbon dioxide for photosynthesis,
releasing oxygen. Animals consume
plants, returning carbon through
respiration and decomposition. Carbon
is also stored in fossil fuels, which
release it when burned.
Process
The carbon cycle is the movement of carbon between the atmosphere, organisms, oceans,
and the Earth. Plants absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂) through photosynthesis, converting it
into organic matter. Animals consume plants, and both release CO₂ back into the
atmosphere through respiration. When organisms die, decomposers break them down,
returning carbon to the soil or atmosphere. Oceans absorb CO₂, which can be used by
marine life or stored in sediments. Carbon is also released through fossil fuel combustion
and volcanic activity. This cycle helps regulate atmospheric CO₂ levels, though human
activity is increasing CO₂, driving climate change.
Nitrogen cycle

The nitrogen cycle describes how nitrogen moves

between the atmosphere, soil, and living organisms.
Atmospheric nitrogen is converted into usable
forms by nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Plants absorb it
from the soil, and animals get it by eating plants.
Decomposers return nitrogen to the soil, and
denitrifying bacteria release it back to the
atmosphere.
Process
The nitrogen cycle is the movement of nitrogen through the atmosphere, soil, plants,
animals, and microorganisms. Atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) is converted into usable forms
like ammonia (NH₃) by nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the soil or root nodules of plants.
Nitrifying bacteria convert ammonia into nitrites (NO₂⁻) and then nitrates (NO₃ ⁻), which
plants absorb. Animals consume plants, and when they die or excrete waste, decomposers
return nitrogen to the soil as ammonia. Denitrifying bacteria convert nitrates back into
nitrogen gas (N₂), returning it to the atmosphere. This cycle is essential for building
proteins and DNA in living organisms.
Oxygen cycle
The oxygen cycle involves the movement of
oxygen between the atmosphere, biosphere,
and lithosphere. Plants produce oxygen
during photosynthesis, releasing it into the
atmosphere. Animals and humans consume
oxygen for respiration, releasing carbon
dioxide. Oxygen is also cycled through
processes like decomposition and the
weathering of rocks, maintaining atmospheric
balance.
Process
The oxygen cycle involves the movement of oxygen between the atmosphere, living
organisms, and the Earth's crust. Plants produce oxygen during photosynthesis, releasing it
into the atmosphere. Animals and humans inhale oxygen for respiration, using it to convert
glucose into energy, with carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water as byproducts. Oxygen is also
absorbed by oceans and used by marine life for respiration. Dead plants and animals
decompose, returning oxygen to the soil and water. Additionally, oxygen is stored in the
Earth’s crust in minerals. The cycle helps maintain atmospheric oxygen levels, supporting
life on Earth.
Sulphur cycle
The sulfur cycle describes how sulfur moves
through the atmosphere, soil, water, and living
organisms. Sulfur is released into the
atmosphere by volcanic activity,
decomposition, and human activities like
burning fossil fuels. It falls to the earth as rain,
entering soil and water, where plants absorb
it, passing it through the food chain.
Process
The sulfur cycle moves sulfur through the atmosphere, living organisms, oceans, and the
Earth's crust. Sulfur is released into the atmosphere from volcanic eruptions, decaying
organic matter, and burning fossil fuels as sulfur dioxide (SO₂). In the atmosphere, SO₂
combines with water to form sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), which falls as acid rain. In soils,
plants absorb sulfur as sulfate (SO₄²⁻) for growth. Animals obtain sulfur by eating plants.
When organisms die, decomposers release sulfur back into the soil. Sulfur also cycles
through oceans, where marine organisms use it. Eventually, sulfur is returned to rocks and
sediments, completing the cycle.
Hydrological cycle

The hydrologic cycle, or water cycle, describes

the continuous movement of water on, above,
and below Earth's surface. Water evaporates
from oceans, lakes, and rivers, forms clouds
through condensation, and returns as
precipitation (rain or snow). It flows back into
bodies of water through runoff and
infiltration, repeating the cycle endlessly.
Process
The hydrological cycle, or water cycle, describes the continuous movement of water on,
above, and below the Earth's surface. Water evaporates from oceans, lakes, and rivers into
the atmosphere, forming water vapor. It cools and condenses into clouds, eventually falling
as precipitation (rain, snow). Some water flows over land as runoff, returning to rivers and
oceans. Other water infiltrates the ground, replenishing groundwater. Plants also release
water back into the atmosphere through transpiration. Water from ice and snow can return
via melting. This cycle sustains life by distributing freshwater and regulating weather and
climate patterns.
Phosphorus cycle
The phosphorus cycle involves the
movement of phosphorus through the
biosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere.
Phosphorus, mainly found in rocks, is
released into the soil through weathering.
Plants absorb it, and animals obtain it by
eating plants. When organisms die,
phosphorus returns to the soil, eventually
making its way back into rocks or water
bodies.
 Process
The phosphorus cycle moves phosphorus through the soil, water, and living organisms,
without a significant atmospheric component. Phosphorus, primarily found in rocks, is
released into the soil through weathering. Plants absorb it as phosphate (PO₄³ ⁻) to build
DNA, RNA, and ATP. Animals obtain phosphorus by eating plants. When plants and
animals die or excrete waste, decomposers return phosphorus to the soil. Some
phosphorus may runoff into water bodies, where it supports aquatic life. Over time,
phosphorus settles in sediments and forms new rocks, eventually completing the cycle.
This nutrient is vital for energy transfer and cellular function in living organisms.
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