Ecosystem Food Chains

Ecosystem

Food Chains

• A series of organisms that eat other organisms, with each level being consumed by the next
• Energy flows from one level to the next, with some energy being lost as heat
• Producers (plants, algae) convert sunlight into energy, which is then passed to:
  • Primary consumers (herbivores) that eat producers
  • Secondary consumers (carnivores) that eat primary consumers
  • Tertiary consumers (top predators) that eat secondary consumers
• Decomposers (bacteria, fungi) break down dead organic matter, releasing nutrients back into the ecosystem

Biodiversity

• The variety of different species, genes, and ecosystems in an environment
• Includes:
  • Species diversity: number of different species in an ecosystem
  • Genetic diversity: variety of genes within a species
  • Ecosystem diversity: variety of ecosystems in a region
• Importance:
  • Maintains ecosystem resilience and stability
  • Provides ecosystem services (e.g. pollination, pest control)
  • Offers potential for new medicines, foods, and other resources

Ecological Succession

• The process of change in species composition in an ecosystem over time
• Types:
  • Primary succession: occurs in areas with no previous vegetation (e.g. after volcanic eruption)
  • Secondary succession: occurs in areas with existing vegetation (e.g. after forest fire)
• Stages:
  • Pioneer species: first species to colonize an area
  • Intermediate species: species that replace pioneers
  • Climax community: stable, mature ecosystem

Nutrient Cycling

• The process of nutrients being converted between different forms, making them available to organisms
• Key nutrients:
  • Carbon (C)
  • Nitrogen (N)
  • Phosphorus (P)
• Processes:
  • Nitrogen fixation: conversion of atmospheric N to usable forms
  • Denitrification: conversion of usable N back to atmospheric N
  • Decomposition: breakdown of organic matter, releasing nutrients
  • Uptake: organisms absorb nutrients from the environment

Food Chains

• A series of organisms that eat other organisms, with each level being consumed by the next
• Energy flows from one level to the next, with some energy being lost as heat
• Producers (plants, algae) convert sunlight into energy, which is then passed to:
  • Primary consumers (herbivores) that eat producers
  • Secondary consumers (carnivores) that eat primary consumers
  • Tertiary consumers (top predators) that eat secondary consumers
• Decomposers (bacteria, fungi) break down dead organic matter, releasing nutrients back into the ecosystem

Biodiversity

• The variety of different species, genes, and ecosystems in an environment
• Includes species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity
• Maintains ecosystem resilience and stability
• Provides ecosystem services (e.g. pollination, pest control)
• Offers potential for new medicines, foods, and other resources

Ecological Succession

• The process of change in species composition in an ecosystem over time
• Types: primary succession and secondary succession
• Stages:
  • Pioneer species: first species to colonize an area
  • Intermediate species: species that replace pioneers
  • Climax community: stable, mature ecosystem

Nutrient Cycling

• The process of nutrients being converted between different forms, making them available to organisms
• Key nutrients: carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P)
• Processes:
  • Nitrogen fixation: conversion of atmospheric N to usable forms
  • Denitrification: conversion of usable N back to atmospheric N
  • Decomposition: breakdown of organic matter, releasing nutrients
  • Uptake: organisms absorb nutrients from the environment

Learn about the flow of energy in ecosystems through food chains, from producers to top predators, and the role of decomposers.