Biosphere: Ecosystems Quiz

Biosphere: Ecosystems

• Definition of Ecosystem

  • A community of living organisms (biotic factors) interacting with their physical environment (abiotic factors).

• Components of Ecosystems

  • Biotic Factors: Includes plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms.
  • Abiotic Factors: Includes sunlight, temperature, water, soil, and nutrients.

• Types of Ecosystems

  • Terrestrial Ecosystems: Forests, grasslands, deserts, and tundra.
  • Aquatic Ecosystems: Freshwater (lakes, rivers) and marine (oceans, coral reefs).

• Ecosystem Functions

  • Energy Flow: Transfer of energy through food chains and webs.
    • Producers (autotrophs) convert sunlight into energy via photosynthesis.
    • Consumers (heterotrophs) obtain energy by eating producers or other consumers.
    • Decomposers recycle nutrients by breaking down dead organisms.
  • Nutrient Cycling: Movement of nutrients like carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus through biogeochemical cycles.

• Ecosystem Dynamics

  • Homeostasis: Ecosystems maintain balance through feedback mechanisms.
  • Succession: The process of change in species structure over time, including:
    • Primary Succession: Occurs on previously uninhabited land (e.g., after a volcanic eruption).
    • Secondary Succession: Occurs in areas that have been disturbed but still retain soil (e.g., after a fire).

• Biodiversity in Ecosystems

  • Importance of species diversity for ecosystem resilience and stability.
  • Biodiversity contributes to ecosystem services such as pollination, water purification, and climate regulation.

• Human Impact on Ecosystems

  • Habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, and invasive species threaten ecosystem health.
  • Conservation efforts aim to protect and restore ecosystems.

• Ecosystem Services

  • Provisioning Services: Supply of food, water, timber, and other resources.
  • Regulating Services: Climate regulation, flood control, and disease regulation.
  • Cultural Services: Recreational, aesthetic, and spiritual benefits.
  • Supporting Services: Nutrient cycling, soil formation, and primary production.

Definition of Ecosystem

• An ecosystem consists of living organisms interacting with non-living environmental elements.

Components of Ecosystems

• Biotic Factors: Include all living entities such as plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms.
• Abiotic Factors: Encompass physical elements such as sunlight, temperature, water, soil, and nutrients essential for life.

Types of Ecosystems

• Terrestrial Ecosystems: Include various environments like forests, grasslands, deserts, and tundras.
• Aquatic Ecosystems: Can be freshwater (lakes, rivers) or marine (oceans, coral reefs).

Ecosystem Functions

• Energy Flow: Energy moves through ecosystems by:
  • Producers (autotrophs) that transform sunlight into energy through photosynthesis.
  • Consumers (heterotrophs) that gain energy by consuming producers or other consumers.
  • Decomposers recycle nutrients by breaking down dead organisms.

Nutrient Cycling

• Involves the transfer of key nutrients, such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, through various biogeochemical cycles.

Ecosystem Dynamics

• Homeostasis: Ecosystems utilize feedback mechanisms to maintain stability and balance.
• Succession: Indicates the change in species composition over time:
  • Primary Succession: Initiates on uninhabited land, such as following a volcanic eruption.
  • Secondary Succession: Occurs in disturbed areas that still retain soil, such as post-wildfire recovery.

Biodiversity in Ecosystems

• Diverse species contribute to the resilience and stability of ecosystems.
• Biodiversity plays a crucial role in ecosystem services, including pollination, water purification, and climate regulation.

Human Impact on Ecosystems

• Significant threats include habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, and the introduction of invasive species.
• Conservation efforts focus on protecting and restoring ecosystem health.

Ecosystem Services

• Provisioning Services: Supply essential resources like food, water, and timber.
• Regulating Services: Include climate moderation, flood control, and disease management.
• Cultural Services: Offer recreational, aesthetic, and spiritual benefits to society.
• Supporting Services: Facilitate nutrient cycling, soil formation, and primary production processes vital for sustaining life.