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Questions and Answers
What is the definition of an ecosystem?
What is the definition of an ecosystem?
What is an example of an abiotic factor in an ecosystem?
What is an example of an abiotic factor in an ecosystem?
Which type of ecosystem is characterized by coral reefs and estuaries?
Which type of ecosystem is characterized by coral reefs and estuaries?
What is the process by which producers convert sunlight into energy?
What is the process by which producers convert sunlight into energy?
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What type of symbiotic relationship involves one species benefiting and the other being harmed?
What type of symbiotic relationship involves one species benefiting and the other being harmed?
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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 a human impact on ecosystems that can lead to the loss of biodiversity?
What is a human impact on ecosystems that can lead to the loss of biodiversity?
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What is the process by which nutrients are recycled through an ecosystem?
What is the process by which nutrients are recycled through an ecosystem?
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Study Notes
Definition and Components
- An ecosystem is a community of living and non-living things that interact with each other in a specific environment.
- Components of an ecosystem:
- Biotic factors: living organisms (plants, animals, microorganisms)
- Abiotic factors: non-living components (water, air, soil, sunlight, temperature)
Types of Ecosystems
- Terrestrial ecosystems: forests, grasslands, deserts, tundra
- Freshwater ecosystems: rivers, lakes, wetlands
- Marine ecosystems: coral reefs, estuaries, open ocean
- Artificial ecosystems: agricultural systems, urban ecosystems
Energy Flow and Nutrient Cycling
- Energy flow: producers (plants) convert sunlight into energy, which is then transferred to consumers (herbivores, carnivores, omnivores)
- Nutrient cycling: nutrients are recycled through the ecosystem through decomposition, nitrogen fixation, and nutrient uptake
Ecological Relationships
- Symbiotic relationships:
- Mutualism: both species benefit
- Commensalism: one species benefits, the other is not affected
- Parasitism: one species benefits, the other is harmed
- Predation and competition: relationships between species that affect population dynamics
Ecosystem Services
- Provisioning services: providing resources (food, water, wood)
- Regulating services: regulating climate, water cycles, and disease
- Cultural services: providing recreational and spiritual benefits
- Supporting services: maintaining soil health, pollination, and nutrient cycling
Human Impact on Ecosystems
- Habitat destruction and fragmentation
- Climate change and global warming
- Pollution and invasive species
- Overexploitation of resources (overfishing, overhunting)
Ecosystems
- An ecosystem consists of a community of living and non-living components that interact with each other in a specific environment.
- It has two main components: biotic factors (living organisms) and abiotic factors (non-living components).
Biotic and Abiotic Factors
- Biotic factors include plants, animals, and microorganisms.
- Abiotic factors include water, air, soil, sunlight, and temperature.
Types of Ecosystems
- Terrestrial ecosystems include forests, grasslands, deserts, and tundra.
- Freshwater ecosystems include rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
- Marine ecosystems include coral reefs, estuaries, and open ocean.
- Artificial ecosystems include agricultural systems and urban ecosystems.
Energy Flow
- Energy flow occurs when producers (plants) convert sunlight into energy, which is then transferred to consumers (herbivores, carnivores, omnivores).
Nutrient Cycling
- Nutrient cycling involves the recycling of nutrients through the ecosystem via decomposition, nitrogen fixation, and nutrient uptake.
Ecological Relationships
- Mutualism: both species benefit from each other.
- Commensalism: one species benefits, while the other is not affected.
- Parasitism: one species benefits, while the other is harmed.
- Predation and competition: relationships between species that affect population dynamics.
Ecosystem Services
- Provisioning services: providing resources such as food, water, and wood.
- Regulating services: regulating climate, water cycles, and disease.
- Cultural services: providing recreational and spiritual benefits.
- Supporting services: maintaining soil health, pollination, and nutrient cycling.
Human Impact on Ecosystems
- Habitat destruction and fragmentation occur when natural habitats are destroyed or divided.
- Climate change and global warming are caused by human activities, leading to rising temperatures and altered ecosystems.
- Pollution and invasive species can harm ecosystems and native species.
- Overexploitation of resources, such as overfishing and overhunting, can deplete ecosystems.
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Description
Learn about the components of an ecosystem, including biotic and abiotic factors, and the different types of ecosystems such as terrestrial, freshwater, and marine.
