Ecosystems Overview Quiz

Ecosystems

Definition:
- An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (plants, animals, microbes) interacting with their physical environment (soil, water, climate).
Components:
- Biotic Factors: Living components such as plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms.
- Abiotic Factors: Non-living components including sunlight, temperature, water, soil, and nutrients.
Types of Ecosystems:
- Terrestrial Ecosystems:
  - Forests, grasslands, deserts, and tundra.
- Aquatic Ecosystems:
  - Freshwater (lakes, rivers) and marine (oceans, coral reefs).
Energy Flow:
- Begins with sunlight captured by producers (plants) through photosynthesis.
- Energy moves through the ecosystem via food chains and food webs:
  - Producers: Organisms that produce energy (e.g., plants).
  - Consumers: Organisms that consume producers or other consumers (herbivores, carnivores, omnivores).
  - Decomposers: Organisms (fungi, bacteria) that break down dead material, returning nutrients to the soil.
Nutrient Cycling:
- Essential nutrients (nitrogen, carbon, phosphorus) cycle through the ecosystem.
- Processes involved:
  - Photosynthesis: Plants absorb CO2 and release O2.
  - Respiration: Animals consume oxygen and release CO2.
  - Decomposition: Breakdown of dead organisms enriches soil.
Biodiversity:
- Refers to the variety of life in an ecosystem.
- Higher biodiversity typically indicates a healthier ecosystem.
- Biodiversity contributes to resilience, making ecosystems better able to withstand changes.
Ecological Succession:
- The process through which ecosystems change and develop over time.
- Primary Succession: Occurs on bare rock or new land (e.g., after a volcanic eruption).
- Secondary Succession: Occurs in areas where an ecosystem has been disturbed but soil remains (e.g., after a forest fire).
Human Impact:
- Urbanization, pollution, deforestation, and climate change threaten ecosystems.
- Conservation efforts aim to protect and restore ecosystems through sustainable practices.
Ecosystem Services:
- Benefits provided by ecosystems to humans:
  - Provisioning (food, water, materials)
  - Regulating (climate regulation, flood control)
  - Supporting (nutrient cycling, pollination)
  - Cultural (recreational, spiritual benefits).

Understanding ecosystems is vital for sustainable development and environmental conservation.

Ecosystems Overview

An ecosystem is formed by the interaction of living organisms and their physical environment.

Components of Ecosystems

Biotic Factors: Include all living elements such as plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms.
Abiotic Factors: Encompass non-living elements like sunlight, temperature, water, soil, and nutrients.

Types of Ecosystems

Terrestrial Ecosystems: Include forests, grasslands, deserts, and tundra.
Aquatic Ecosystems: Divided into freshwater (lakes, rivers) and marine (oceans, coral reefs).

Energy Flow in Ecosystems

Energy originates from sunlight captured by producers through photosynthesis.
Food Chains and Food Webs:
- Producers: Organisms like plants that convert sunlight into energy.
- Consumers: Include herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores that derive energy from consuming other organisms.
- Decomposers: Organisms such as fungi and bacteria that decompose dead material, returning nutrients to the soil.

Nutrient Cycling

Essential nutrients (nitrogen, carbon, phosphorus) continuously cycle within ecosystems.
Key processes include:
- Photosynthesis: Plants absorb CO2 and produce O2.
- Respiration: Animals consume O2 and produce CO2 as a waste product.
- Decomposition: Breakdown of dead organic matter enriches the soil.

Biodiversity

Represents the variety of life within an ecosystem and reflects its health.
Higher biodiversity enhances resilience, allowing ecosystems to adapt to environmental changes.

Ecological Succession

Describes the gradual process of ecosystem development and change over time.
Primary Succession: Takes place on newly formed or disturbed land, like after volcanic eruptions.
Secondary Succession: Occurs in areas with existing soil after disturbances such as forest fires.

Human Impact on Ecosystems

Activities like urbanization, pollution, deforestation, and climate change pose significant threats to ecosystems.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting and restoring ecosystems through sustainable practices.

Ecosystem Services

Ecosystems provide crucial benefits to humanity, including:
- Provisioning Services: Supply of food, water, and materials.
- Regulating Services: Climate regulation and flood control.
- Supporting Services: Nutrient cycling and pollination.
- Cultural Services: Recreational and spiritual benefits.