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Environment – Mains Question 07
1. “Discuss the key components of an aquatic ecosystem and factors impacting aquatic ecosystem.”
(150 Words, 10 Marks)
Approach:
❖ Introduction: Briefly introduce the concept of aquatic ecosystems within 20-30 words.
❖ Body:
➢ Describe key components: Explain the components, providing examples.
➢ Analyze factors impacting aquatic ecosystems: Discuss the main factors, providing specific
examples and their consequences.
❖ Conclusion: Conclude with a brief statement on the importance of conservation: Briefly
emphasize the need to protect these ecosystems.
Answer:
Aquatic ecosystems encompass all water-based environments, ranging from freshwater bodies like lakes,
rivers, and wetlands to marine environments such as oceans, coral reefs, and estuaries. They are vital for
global biodiversity, nutrient cycling, and climate regulation. These ecosystems are characterized by both
biotic and abiotic components:
Biotic Components:
❖ Producers (Phytoplankton, algae, and aquatic plants): These organisms form the base of the food
web through photosynthesis, converting sunlight into energy.
❖ Consumers (Zooplankton, fish, invertebrates, mammals): These organisms obtain energy by
consuming other organisms. They can be categorized into herbivores, carnivores, and decomposers.
❖ Decomposers (Bacteria and fungi): These organisms break down dead organic matter, recycling
nutrients back into the ecosystem.
Abiotic Components:
❖ Water: The fundamental medium, influencing temperature, light penetration, and nutrient availability.
❖ Sunlight: Essential for photosynthesis by producers.
❖ Dissolved oxygen: Crucial for the respiration of aquatic organisms.
❖ Nutrients (Nitrates, phosphates): Essential for plant growth.
❖ Temperature: Influences metabolic rates and species distribution.
❖ Salinity (in marine ecosystems): Affects the distribution of marine organisms.
Aquatic ecosystems are impacted by a range of factors:
❖ Climate variability (El Niño, La Niña): These climate patterns can cause changes in water
temperature, salinity, and nutrient availability, impacting marine ecosystems.
❖ Pollution (Industrial, agricultural, and domestic): Discharge of pollutants like chemicals, fertilizers,
and sewage leads to eutrophication, oxygen depletion, and toxicity, harming aquatic life. For example,
excessive nutrient runoff from agriculture can cause algal blooms, depleting oxygen and creating "dead
zones."
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❖ Habitat destruction (Coastal development, dredging, dam construction): Coastal development,
dredging, and dam construction destroy critical habitats like mangroves, wetlands, and coral reefs,
impacting biodiversity and ecosystem services.
❖ Climate change (Ocean acidification, warming waters, sea-level rise): Rising ocean temperatures
and acidification due to increased CO2 absorption threaten marine organisms, particularly coral reefs
and shellfish. Changes in precipitation patterns and sea-level rise also affect freshwater and coastal
ecosystems.
The conservation of aquatic ecosystems is crucial for maintaining biodiversity, supporting human
livelihoods, and ensuring the health of the planet. Sustainable management practices, pollution control,
habitat restoration, and addressing climate change are essential for mitigating these threats and preserving
these valuable ecosystems.
