Our Environment 4.
What will happen if we kill all the organisms in
one trophic level?
Class Work Questions :
If we kill all the organisms in one trophic level, the
food supply to the next level will stop resulting in
1.What is the role of decomposers in the
imbalance of the ecosystem. As a result animals
ecosystem?
in the higher levels will die making the growth of
● Helps in disposing the waste . Therefore
animals in the lower trophic level increase in an
they clean the environment.
enormous way. All of this will affect the overall
● They help in recycling the nutrients.
balance in the ecosystem.
● They provide space for new organisms in
the biosphere by decomposing the dead
5. Will the impact of removing all the organisms
bodies.
in the trophic level be different for different
● It release organic substances and it
trophic levels? Can the organisms of any trophic
absorbed by plants helps maintain fertility
level be removed without causing any damage
of the soil.
to the ecosystem?
Yes, the impact of removing all the organisms in
2. Give any two ways in which non -biogradeable
a trophic level will be different for different trophic
would affect the environment?
levels. For example, if all the producers are
Following are the ways in which
removed, there is a chance of death or migration
non-biodegradable substances would affect the
of the primary consumers which will upset the
environment:
trophic levels. This is same for all the levels.
● They cause air, soil and water pollution.
Therefore, the removal of organisms at any level
● They may cause bio-magnification in the
would upset the whole ecosystem as the food
food chain resulting in the end of human.
chain is disturbed. The survival of the higher level
animals is completely dependent on the animals
3. How can you help in reducing the problem of
at the lower levels.
waste disposal? Give any two methods.
Following are the ways to reduce the problem of
6. What are the problems caused by the
waste disposal:
non-biodegradable wastes that we generate?
● 3 R’s: By following the 3 R’s one can reduce
Following are the problems caused by the
the problem of waste disposal. The 3 R’s
non-biodegradable wastes:
are reduce, recycle and reuse. Reducing
● These substances cannot be decomposed
the usage of their own vehicles and opting
by the microorganisms.
for public transport can reduce air
● As the quantity increases, dumping
pollution. Recycling and reusing of plastics
becomes a problem.
is also a way to reduce waste disposal.
● Non-biodegradable wastes like heavy
● Preparation of compost: All the
metals may enter the food chain in the
biodegradable waste like kitchen waste,
upper trophic levels.
can be dumped in the compost.
● They may escape to the groundwater
which causes soil infertility and
disturbance in pH of the soil.
7.If all the waste we generate is biodegradable, 10..Why is damage to the ozone layer a cause for
will this have no impact on the environment? concern ? What steps are being taken to limit
Biodegradable wastes are decomposed by the this damage ?
microorganisms into simpler substances which The damage to the ozone layer is a cause for
can be used by the producers as a raw material. concern because if the ozone layer in the
But following are the effects of too much of atmosphere disappears completely, then all the
biodegradable wastes: extremely harmful ultraviolet radiations coming
● As the decomposition of the from the sun would reach the earth. These
biodegradable wastes are slow, they ultraviolet radiations would cause skin cancer
produce an awful smell and when inhaled and other ailments in men and animals and also
by humans it can be harmful. damage the plants.
● The dumping areas can be a place where In an attempt to protect the ozone layer, the
harmful organisms may start to breed United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
which can be harmful to humans as well unanimously forged an agreement among its
as plants and animals. member countries to freeze CFC production at
● Increase in the number of aquatic 1986 levels.
organisms may result in depletion of
oxygen.
8.Give any two ways in which biodegradable
substances would affect the environment.
1. Biodegradable substances are
decomposed by the action of
microorganisms and decomposed
materials are recycled through
biogeo-chemical cycle.
2. These substances keep the environment
clean.
9.What is biological magnification ? Will the
levels of this magnification be different at
different levels of the ecosystem ?
Biological magnification : The increase in
concentration of harmful chemical substances
like pesticides in the body of living organisms at
each trophic level of a food chain is called
biological magnification.
Yes, levels of bio-magnification would increase
as the trophic level increases and would be the
highest for topmost trophic level. It would affect
their biological process such as growth,
reproduction, etc..
