Ecosystems and Productivity
8 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the primary source of energy for ecosystems?

  • The soil
  • The moon
  • The sun (correct)
  • Ocean currents

    • Which organisms are classified as producers in the African Savanna?

  • Giraffes
  • Trees (correct)
  • Baboons
  • Lions

    • What is ecological efficiency when discussing energy transfer in ecosystems?

  • The percentage of energy transferred to the next trophic level (correct)
  • The total biomass produced
  • The total number of organisms in a habitat
  • The amount of light absorbed by plants

    • Which type of consumer eats both plants and animals?

    <p>Omnivores (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What limits productivity in a mature forest according to the factors mentioned?

    <p>Light levels at ground level (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the trophic pyramid, which level includes herbivores?

    <p>Second tier (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of a detritivore?

    <p>Bacteria (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The efficiency of energy transfer between trophic levels is typically around what percentage?

    <p>10% (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Limiting Factors

    Environmental conditions that restrict the growth of organisms, like light and soil nutrients.

    Productivity

    The measure of the output of energy or biomass in an ecosystem, often concerning time and space.

    Producers

    Organisms that make their own food through processes like photosynthesis, e.g., plants and algae.

    Autotrophs

    Organisms that can produce their own food from inorganic substances, synonymous with producers.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Trophic Pyramid

    A visual representation of energy flow through different feeding levels in an ecosystem.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Ecological Efficiency

    The percentage of energy transferred from one trophic level to the next, usually around 10%.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Food Webs

    Complex networks showing the feeding relationships among organisms in an ecosystem.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Decomposers

    Microorganisms that break down dead matter and recycle nutrients back into ecosystems.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Study Notes

    Limiting Factors

    • Light levels at ground level in a mature forest are a limiting factor, likely phosphorus toxicity.
    • Certain soil nutrients (likely phosphorus) are another limiting factor in ecosystems.

    Productivity

    • Productivity is a measure of the output.
    • Four factors support high productivity: light, water, nutrients (NPK), and temperature.
    • Organisms that create food in an ecosystem are producers, also known as autotrophs.
    • Autotrophs include plants, algae, and bacteria.

    Measuring Productivity

    • Productivity is measured as a rate, which is the amount per unit space and time.

    Food Webs and Energy in Ecosystems

    • Food webs allow examination of feeding relationships.
    • Feeding roles:
      • Producers: make their own food.
      • Herbivores: eat vegetation.
      • Carnivores: eat other animals.
      • Detritivores: eat dead organic matter (invertebrates).
      • Decomposers (microbes): recycle nutrients in food.

    Energy Flow and Food Webs

    • Energy transformation is less than 100% efficient.
    • The trophic pyramid (energy pyramid) shows how feeding levels transfer energy.
      • Producers occupy the base.
      • Primary consumers (herbivores) occupy the second tier.
      • Secondary consumers occupy the third tier.
      • Predators occupy the top tier.

    Ecological Efficiency

    • The trophic pyramid reveals ecological efficiency throughout several levels.
    • Energy flows through an ecosystem.
    • Only about 10% of energy is able to build at the next trophic level.

    Energy Review

    • Energy moves through an ecosystem as it flows.
    • The source of energy for every ecosystem is the sun.
    • The sun provides energy to producers who convert it to chemical energy.
    • A trophic pyramid shows energy transfer at each level.
    • Primary consumers occupy the second trophic level.
    • When moving from one trophic level to another, the energy transfer is called ecological efficiency.
    • 10% of energy is passed to the next level.

    African Savanna Example

    • Producer: trees (acacia, etc.)
    • Herbivore: giraffe
    • Carnivore: lion
    • Omnivore: baboon
    • Detritivore/Decomposers: bacteria, termites, fungi.

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Description

    Explore the key concepts of limiting factors, productivity, and energy flow within ecosystems. This quiz covers the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers, as well as the importance of nutrients and light in maintaining ecosystem health. Test your knowledge of food webs and the dynamics of energy transfer.

    More Like This

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser