Ecosystems and Trophic Levels

A group of organisms that live in a specific place.

The place where a community lives.

The combination of a community and its habitat, encompassing all living and non-living elements.

The most complex level of biological organization, involving interactions between organisms and their environment.

Organisms that capture energy from sunlight and convert it into chemical energy (e.g., plants, algae).

Organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms (e.g., herbivores, carnivores).

A feeding level in an ecosystem, based on the number of consumption steps away from the sun.

A linear sequence showing how energy flows through an ecosystem, starting from producers to consumers to decomposers.

The process where atmospheric nitrogen gas (N2) is converted into usable forms like ammonia (NH3) by certain bacteria.

Bacteria that carry out nitrogen fixation, usually found in environments without oxygen, like cysts or plant nodules.

A key soil nutrient that is essential for plant growth and is also crucial for building essential molecules like ATP and DNA.

The process by which excess phosphorus in lakes leads to rapid algal growth, then decomposition, resulting in oxygen depletion and harm to other organisms.

The flow of energy through an ecosystem, with each level representing a different trophic level (e.g. producers, herbivores, carnivores).

Producers, like plants, capture sunlight and convert it to chemical energy through photosynthesis.

Top-level predators, usually large animals, occupy the highest trophic level.

The cycle of water moving through the environment, including evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.

The cycle of water within organisms, including absorption by plants and evaporation from their leaves.

The process of how nutrients, like carbon, are constantly cycled within an ecosystem.

The continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth.

The process where plants absorb water from the soil and release it into the atmosphere as water vapor.

Deforestation disrupts the water cycle by reducing transpiration, leading to less moisture in the atmosphere and potentially less rainfall.

Underground layers of rock, sand, and gravel that hold water.

The continuous exchange of carbon between the Earth's atmosphere, living organisms, and rocks.

The process by which organisms break down organic molecules for energy, releasing carbon dioxide as a byproduct.

The process of burning organic materials (wood, fossil fuels), releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

The process where ancient marine organisms die, decompose, and form limestone, storing carbon. Erosion releases this carbon back into the environment.

A large-scale community of organisms characterized by a specific climate and a defined group of plants and animals. Examples include tropical rainforests, savannas, deserts, and grasslands.

An area with hot, humid conditions, abundant rainfall, and high biodiversity. Home to many different plant and animal species.

A grassland ecosystem with scattered trees and seasonal rainfall. Found in regions transitioning between rainforests and deserts.

A dry and arid region with limited water resources and sparse vegetation. Plants and animals adapt to conserve water.

A temperate grassland ecosystem characterized by grasses as the dominant vegetation. Often converted to agriculture.

The distribution of biomes across the globe, influenced by factors such as latitude, altitude, and climate.

The gradual change in biomes as you move up a mountain, mirroring the changes observed as latitude increases.

The variety of life within a particular biome, characterized by a wide range of species and interactions within an ecosystem.

A type of forest characterized by trees that lose their leaves in the winter, often found in areas with moderate rainfall and distinct seasons like the eastern United States.

A vast biome dominated by coniferous trees, known for its cold and snowy winters and moderate summers. It stretches across northern parts of North America and Eurasia.

A treeless biome with low-growing vegetation, permafrost, and very cold temperatures that occur at high latitudes. It is known for its short growing season and harsh winters.

A biome characterized by dense, drought-resistant shrubs and small trees that are adapted to hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.

A biome of vast icy landscapes characterized by extreme cold, low precipitation, and winds. It is found at the Earth's poles and on high mountain peaks.

A biome dominated by grasses with scattered trees and a moderate climate. Found in areas with moderate rainfall and mild temperatures.