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Questions and Answers
What is an ecosystem composed of?
What is an ecosystem composed of?
Which component of an ecosystem converts sunlight into energy?
Which component of an ecosystem converts sunlight into energy?
What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?
What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?
What is an example of a provisioning service provided by ecosystems?
What is an example of a provisioning service provided by ecosystems?
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What is an example of a natural disturbance in an ecosystem?
What is an example of a natural disturbance in an ecosystem?
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Which trophic level do producers occupy?
Which trophic level do producers occupy?
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What is an example of a supporting service provided by ecosystems?
What is an example of a supporting service provided by ecosystems?
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What type of ecosystem is a coral reef?
What type of ecosystem is a coral reef?
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What is an example of a human-induced disturbance in an ecosystem?
What is an example of a human-induced disturbance in an ecosystem?
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What type of consumer occupies multiple trophic levels?
What type of consumer occupies multiple trophic levels?
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Study Notes
Ecosystems
Definition
An ecosystem is a community of living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components interacting with each other in a specific environment.
Components
-
Biotic components:
- Producers (plants, algae)
- Consumers (herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, decomposers)
-
Abiotic components:
- Light
- Temperature
- Water
- Soil
- Air
- Nutrients
Energy Flow
- Producers convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis
- Consumers obtain energy by consuming other organisms
- Decomposers break down dead organic matter, releasing nutrients back into the ecosystem
Trophic Levels
- Producers (1st trophic level)
- Herbivores (2nd trophic level)
- Carnivores (3rd trophic level)
- Omnivores (can occupy multiple trophic levels)
Ecosystem Services
- Provisioning services: food, water, timber, etc.
- Regulating services: climate regulation, pollination, pest control, etc.
- Cultural services: recreation, tourism, education, etc.
- Supporting services: nutrient cycling, soil formation, etc.
Ecosystem Types
- Terrestrial ecosystems: forests, grasslands, deserts, etc.
- Freshwater ecosystems: rivers, lakes, wetlands, etc.
- Marine ecosystems: coral reefs, estuaries, open ocean, etc.
Ecosystem Disturbances
- Natural disturbances: wildfires, floods, hurricanes, etc.
- Human-induced disturbances: deforestation, pollution, climate change, etc.
Ecological Succession
- Primary succession: colonization of new or barren land
- Secondary succession: recolonization of disturbed land
Ecosystems Definition
- An ecosystem is a community of living and non-living components interacting with each other in a specific environment.
Components
- Biotic components include:
- Producers (plants, algae)
- Consumers (herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, decomposers)
- Abiotic components include:
- Light
- Temperature
- Water
- Soil
- Air
- Nutrients
Energy Flow
- Producers convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis.
- Consumers obtain energy by consuming other organisms.
- Decomposers break down dead organic matter, releasing nutrients back into the ecosystem.
Trophic Levels
- Producers occupy the 1st trophic level.
- Herbivores occupy the 2nd trophic level.
- Carnivores occupy the 3rd trophic level.
- Omnivores can occupy multiple trophic levels.
Ecosystem Services
- Provisioning services include: food, water, timber, etc.
- Regulating services include: climate regulation, pollination, pest control, etc.
- Cultural services include: recreation, tourism, education, etc.
- Supporting services include: nutrient cycling, soil formation, etc.
Ecosystem Types
- Terrestrial ecosystems include: forests, grasslands, deserts, etc.
- Freshwater ecosystems include: rivers, lakes, wetlands, etc.
- Marine ecosystems include: coral reefs, estuaries, open ocean, etc.
Ecosystem Disturbances
- Natural disturbances include: wildfires, floods, hurricanes, etc.
- Human-induced disturbances include: deforestation, pollution, climate change, etc.
Ecological Succession
- Primary succession involves the colonization of new or barren land.
- Secondary succession involves the recolonization of disturbed land.
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Description
Learn about the components and energy flow in ecosystems, including biotic and abiotic factors, producers, and consumers. Understand how they interact with each other in a specific environment.
