Ecosystem Structure and Function Quiz

Ecosystem Structure and Function

• Ecosystems are dynamic systems composed of biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components that interact in complex ways.
• Biotic components include producers (autotrophs), consumers (heterotrophs), and decomposers.
• Abiotic components include sunlight, water, temperature, nutrients, and soil.
• Ecosystems are characterized by their species diversity, trophic levels, and energy flow.

Trophic Levels

• Trophic levels represent the feeding relationships within an ecosystem.
• Producers (plants, algae) form the base, converting solar energy into chemical energy (photosynthesis).
• Primary consumers (herbivores) feed on producers.
• Secondary consumers (carnivores) feed on primary consumers.
• Tertiary consumers feed on secondary consumers.
• Decomposers (bacteria, fungi) break down dead organisms, returning nutrients to the ecosystem.

Energy Flow

• Energy flows through ecosystems in one direction, from producers to consumers.
• A significant portion of energy is lost as heat at each trophic level.
• A food chain illustrates the linear flow of energy.
• A food web represents the complex, interconnected feeding relationships within an ecosystem.
• Energy pyramids visually represent the decrease in energy as it moves up trophic levels.

Biogeochemical Cycles

• Biogeochemical cycles involve the movement of essential elements like carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus through the biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem.
• The Carbon cycle involves the exchange of carbon between the atmosphere, oceans, organisms, and soil.
• The Nitrogen cycle involves the transformation of nitrogen gases into usable forms for plants and animals.
• The Phosphorus cycle involves the movement of phosphorus from rocks, to organisms, and back to the environment.

Types of Ecosystems

• Ecosystems vary greatly in their characteristics based on climate, geography, and other factors.
• Terrestrial ecosystems include forests, grasslands, and deserts.
• Aquatic ecosystems include freshwater (lakes, rivers, streams) and marine (oceans, coral reefs) ecosystems.
• Each ecosystem has specific adaptations of plants and animals to the environment.

Biodiversity

• Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth at all levels, from genes to ecosystems.
• High biodiversity is crucial for ecosystem stability and resilience.
• Loss of biodiversity can lead to ecosystem instability and reduced productivity.
• Factors influencing biodiversity include habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and overexploitation.

Ecosystem Services

• Ecosystems provide many essential services to humans, including clean air and water, pollination, and regulation of climate.
• Human activities can negatively affect these services.
• Sustainable practices are necessary to maintain ecosystem health and services.

Disturbances and Succession

• Natural disturbances, such as fires and floods, can alter ecosystems.
• Succession is the gradual process of change in species composition over time after a disturbance.
• Primary succession occurs on newly formed land, while secondary succession occurs in areas where vegetation has been removed.

Ecosystem Management

• Ecosystem management aims to maintain the health and productivity of ecosystems while meeting human needs.
• It emphasizes a holistic approach that recognizes the complex interactions within ecosystems.
• Sustainable practices are important elements of ecosystem management.