Question

Background information on bottle biology or bottle microcosm.

- how is it related to the ecosystem?

- the effect of pollution on this.

Answer 1

A Bottle microcosm (closed system) is a biological system in which there is a need to establish an ecological balance in order all the organisms can survive and reproduce. The growth of population in bottle microcosm is controlled so that nutrients production can cope up with the demand of growing population. One way to do this in small system is by lowering temperature which slows metabolism of many organisms. With slowed metabolism, organism will eat less, thus grow and reproduce less; though temperature is not as much a restraining factor for plants. In Bottle microcosm, nutrients can be limited as they are not cycled through the closed system as fast enough as in open ones. As outside influences are eliminated in closed system (interplay of the organisms takes place), it tests the adequacy of the initial organism and supply of the nutrients. In a closed bottle biology ecosystem, the primary species grows quickly, providing initial food source or adding carbon storage for the secondary growing ones. In closed system with sustainable population fluctuations, populations grow rarely (density dependent) as large as they would in open system.

One can monitor a Bottle microcosm (small, closed ecosystem) more fully than large open systems. It is because the complexity here is reduced, allowing for easier measurements and experimental controls. The sealed space in bottle garden (a Bottle microcosm) generates an entirely self-sufficient ecosystem where plants can survive by using photosynthesis to recycle the nutrients (the only external input needed here to keep the plant going is light which acts as its required energy source).

There can be direct or indirect effects of pollution on Bottle biology. There can be a change in internal environment of the glass bottle/ bottle micocosm if there is an persisting air pollution. This can effect the growth and reproduction of the organisms residing inside the bottle microcosm. There can be a change in nutrient availability in the system if pollution level plumates. Pollution often can lead to growth of different microorganisms characterised with the release of toxins, which can effect the growth of biome residing in the bottle microcosm.