Chapter 7: Abiotic Components of Ecosystems

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of secondary production?

The primary purpose of secondary production is the assimilation of organic material and building of tissue by heterotrophs.

Secondary succession is usually faster than primary succession.

True

What is the study of energy relationships and energy transformations in living organisms called?

Primary production

Bioenergetics (correct)

Photosynthesis

Ecological succession

Density is the number of individuals per unit of space. Individuals are affected by density; in crowded areas, individuals may die due to lack of water, nutrients, and ____.

space Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum absolute or theoretical production of new individuals under ideal conditions?

Maximum Natality Signup and view all the answers

What is the ecological population increase under actual or environmental conditions?

Ecological Natality Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of carbon is present in living things?

70% Signup and view all the answers

What is the special type of bar chart showing the age and sex of the population?

Age Pyramid Signup and view all the answers

What are some threats to the tropical rainforest? (Select all that apply)

Logging and cattle ranching Signup and view all the answers

Population growth rate measures the growth of individuals in size and length.

False Signup and view all the answers

Tropical rainforests have distinct seasonal changes.

False Signup and view all the answers

Tropical rainforests are classified according to numerous characteristics, with seasonality being one of them.

false Signup and view all the answers

What term is used to refer to the physical environment and its interacting variables in an ecosystem?

Abiotic component Signup and view all the answers

Match the following types of population distribution with their descriptions:

Clumped Distribution = Most common pattern where individuals are grouped together Random Distribution = Even spacing due to severe competition and antagonism Uniform Distribution = Even spacing due to severe competition and antagonism among individuals Signup and view all the answers

Match the abiotic factors with their descriptions:

Hot and moist; ideal for bacteria and other microorganisms = Both hot and moist; ideal for bacteria and other microorganisms Quick decomposition of matter on the forest floor = Slow population growth Signup and view all the answers

Ecosystems consist of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

True Signup and view all the answers

Who introduced the concept of food chains in a book published in 1927?

Charles Elton Signup and view all the answers

The _____ food chain starts from dead organic matter and is found in forest ecosystems.

detritus Signup and view all the answers

Match the following types of eaters with their descriptions:

Herbivores = Animals whose primary food source is plant-based Omnivores = Animals that eat both plant- and animal-derived food Carnivores = Animals that eat other animals Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Abiotic and Biotic Components of an Ecosystem

Abiotic components refer to the physical environment and its variables, including lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and radiant solar energy.
Biotic components comprise the living organisms, including autotrophs (producers) and heterotrophs (consumers).

Ecosystem Definition

An ecosystem is a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
The term "ecosystem" was introduced by Arthur Tansley in 1935.

Food Chain and Food Web

A food chain is a linear network of links in a food web, starting from producer organisms and ending at apex predator species.
Food chains were first introduced by Al-Jahiz in the 9th century and later popularized by Charles Elton in 1927.
A food web is a simplified illustration of the various methods of feeding that links an ecosystem into a unified system of exchange.

Types of Food Chains

Grazing food chain: starts with primary producers (green plants) and ends at decomposer level.
Detritus food chain: starts from dead organic matter and ends at decomposer level.
Parasitic food chain: involves a parasitic relationship between the producer and consumer.

Trophic Levels

The trophic level of an organism is the position it occupies in a food chain.
Trophic levels are numbered starting from Level 1 (producers) to Level 5 (apex predators).

Ecosystem Energy Flow

Energy flows through the ecosystem in the form of food, from producers to consumers.
Energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next, with a decrease in energy at each level.

Ecological Pyramid

An ecological pyramid is a graphical model that illustrates the flow of energy through different forms of life in an ecosystem.
Types of ecological pyramids: number pyramid, biomass pyramid, energy pyramid.

Decomposers and Scavengers

Decomposers: produce enzymes that digest dead material, providing nutrients for organisms in the soil.
Scavengers: feed on dead animals, rather than decomposing them.
Detritivores: feed on detritus, or decomposing organic matter.

Bioenergetics

Study of energy relationships and energy transformations in living organisms.
Focuses on energy exchanges between organisms and their environment.

Ecological Succession

Primary succession: occurs on a new habitat that has never been colonized before.
Secondary succession: occurs on a previously colonized, but disturbed or damaged habitat.

Types of Succession

Mechanisms of succession: nudation, migration, ecesis, reaction, and competition.
Climax state: a stable stage reached by the ecosystem through the process of ecological succession.

Primary Production

Primary production: the process of plants making their own food through photosynthesis.
How plants make their own food: using light from the sun, water, and carbon dioxide to produce glucose and oxygen.

Population

A population is a collective group of organisms of the same species living in the same place at the same time.
Measurement of population: census, which is a count of individuals in a population.

Note: The text is divided into sections, and each section is represented by a subheading. The bullet points are organized under each section, and the key facts are highlighted with context.### Demographics

The world population is estimated to be 7.4 billion as of August 2016 and is projected to reach 11.2 billion by 2100.
The highest population growth rates occurred between 1955-1975, peaking at 2.06% between 1965-1970.
The growth rate has declined to 1.18% between 2010-2015 and is projected to decline to 0.13 by 2100.

Population Density

Density is the number of individuals per unit of space.
Two types of density: Crude density (number of biomass per unit total space) and Specific density (number of biomass per unit of habitat).

Population Dynamics

Population dynamics is the study of the size and age composition of populations as dynamical systems.
Three dynamic rate functions: Natality (birth rate), Mortality (death rate), and Population growth rate.

Natality

Natality is the greatest factor that influences population increase.
Two types of Natality: Maximum Natality (absolute maximum production of new individuals under ideal conditions) and Ecological Natality (population increase under actual environmental conditions).

Mortality

Mortality is usually expressed as the probability of dying.
Two types of Mortality: Minimum Mortality (loss of individuals under ideal conditions) and Ecological Mortality (loss of individuals under actual environmental conditions).

Age Distribution

Age distribution is the distribution of individuals in a population according to their age.
Three types of Age Pyramids: Broad base (large percentage of young individuals), Bell-shaped polygon (moderate proportion of young to old), and Um-shaped figure (low percentage of young individuals).

Population Growth Rate

Population growth rate, which measures the growth of individuals in size and length.
Logistic growth equation: M = r mass N (K - N) / K

Population Dispersal

Population dispersal is the movement of individuals or propagules into or out of the population or population area.
Three types of dispersal: Emigration (outward movement), Immigration (inward movement), and Migration (periodic departure or return).

Population Distribution

Three patterns of population distribution: Clumped (most common), Random, and Uniform.

Life Tables

Life tables are created to summarize the age-specific pattern of birth and death of a particular population in a particular environment.
The rate of births and deaths among individuals of different ages can be recorded in a life table.

Energy

Energy is defined as the ability to produce change or do work.
Types of energy: Solar, Tidal, Wind, Wave, Fossil fuels (Coal, Oil, and Natural Gas), Biomass, Geothermal, and Hydropower.

Renewable Energy

Renewable energy sources are replenished in a short time.
Examples of renewable energy sources: Biomass, Geothermal, Hydropower, Solar, and Wind.

Non-Renewable Energy

Non-renewable energy sources cannot be replenished in a short period of time.
Examples of non-renewable energy sources: Coal, Oil, Natural Gas, and Uranium.

Terrestrial Biomes

Forests occupy approximately one-third of Earth's land area and account for over two-thirds of the leaf area of land plants.

Tropical Rainforest

Location: Found near the equator, with little variation in temperatures and no distinct seasonal changes.
Abiotic factors: High biodiversity and biomass, ideal for bacteria and other microorganisms, which quickly decompose matter on the forest floor.
Threats: Deforestation, pollution, and industrial usage, human stripping of rainforests, clearing for agriculture, timber, and urban development, damage from off-roads vehicles, and pollution of forest streams.

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Description

Learn about the abiotic components of ecosystems, including physical environment and interacting variables. Understanding the importance of abiotic factors in biological communities.