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What is a Keystone Species: Definition, Types, Characteristics, Importance, Examples, and Ecological Role

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 Introduction:      A keystone species is an organism that plays a disproportionately large role in maintaining the structure, stability, and functioning of an ecosystem. Another definition of keystone species is a species whose impact on its ecosystem is disproportionately large relative to its abundance or biomass. They are named after the keystone in a stone arch, the central wedge-shaped stone that holds the entire arch together. In 1969 zoologist Robert T. Paine used this architectural term as a metaphor to describe the critical role of these species. Although keystone species are often low in abundance, their removal can cause major changes throughout an ecosystem. Not all dominant or abundant species are keystone species. A keystone species is identified by the magnitude of its ecological impact rather than by its population size. Some keystone species are abundant, while others are relatively rare. Keystone in a stone arch History of keystone species concept...
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Ozone Layer Depletion: Causes, Impact and solutions for the future Environmental Protection

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What is Ozone Layer?     The region of earth in the lower portion of stratosphere where high concentration of ozone molecule  (O₃) is located is called ozone layer . It is approximately15 to 35 kilometers above the earth's surface. Ozone is allotropic form of oxygen. It is formed by the bonding of one oxygen atom and one molecule of oxygen. What is the importance of Ozone Layer:     Ozone layer acts as shield around the earth. 1. Ozone layer absorb harmful ultraviolate radiations that comes from sun. 2. It also helps to maintain temperature of atmosphere by absorbing majority of solar energy.  It is very important for life in ecosystem. Without the ozone layer, life on earth would be impossible. What causes of Ozone Depletion? Ozone depletion occurs when human activities cause the ozone layer to thin. Causes:     Ozone depletion is due to major compounds called chlorofluorocarbons (CF...
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What Are Mycorrhizae? Types and Their Role in Plant Growth

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What is mycorrhizae?       It is the relationship between fungi and higher vascular plants. The fungi attach to  the roots of plants. It is a mutualistic relationship. It means that mycorrhizae is beneficial for both organisms. Benefits:      Fungal hyphae increase the availability of nutrients such as phosphorus and copper in soil. It also helps in the direct absorption of these elements. On the other hand, fungi absorb nutrients from plants. Plants can grow better with mycorrhizae than other plants. Root Epidermis:     The u pper layer of the roots is called the root epidermis, which consists of  epidermal tissues. It helps in protection, absorption, as well as  interaction between the plant and soil. Fungal hyphae attach to  root epidermis. Root hair:          These are thread-like structures which are found on the tips of the root. It helps in the absorption of      nutrients fro...
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Food Interactions Between Organisms: Understanding Ecological Relationships

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 Food Chain:                     " Flow of energy from one trophic level to other trophic level is called  food chain". In other words:             "Series of step of eating and being eaten is called food chain". For example:               The grasshopper eats grass, rat eats grasshopper, snake eats rat and then snack  is eaten by eagle. This eating process make a chain which is called food chain. Every food chain always starts from producers and finish on decomposers. Trophic level:              The levels in food chain are called trophic level. As in above example grass is first trophic level, grasshopper second trophic level, frog third and so on. There is a change of energy level in each trophic level. This change in energy state a law which says:          " The energy is transfer from...
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Kingdom Protista: Introduction, Classification, Characteristics and Examples

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 Kingdom Protista: Protists     Kingdom Protista is a distinct kingdom of organisms. It includes mostly  eukaryotic aquatic organisms. These organisms have characteristics that cannot be classified into any other kingdom. Their mode of nutrition, reproduction, lifestyles, and body forms are different from those of the other four kingdoms. There are four major groups of protists: The single-celled protozoa Unicellular and multicellular algae Slime molds Oomycetes Protozoa: Animal-like Protist These are animal-like protists. These are unicellular eukaryotic organisms.  These are free-living, symbionts, or parasitic.  They ingest their food by endocytosis. They use cilia, flagella, or pseudopodia for locomotion. Some common protozoa are: Amoeba Ciliates  Zooflagellates Apicomplexans Actinopods Foraminifera  Amoeba: Amoeba may be free-living or parasitic. They are unicellular organisms. They live in marine, freshwater and soil. They have no definite s...
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