Ekosistem: Food Chain, Biodiversity, and Conservation

Study Notes

A series of organisms that eat other organisms, with each level being consumed by the level above
Consists of:
- Producers (plants, algae): convert sunlight into energy
- Primary consumers (herbivores): consume producers
- Secondary consumers (carnivores): consume primary consumers
- Tertiary consumers (apex predators): consume secondary consumers
- Decomposers (bacteria, fungi): break down dead organic matter
Energy is transferred from one level to the next, with some energy lost as heat

The variety of different species of plants, animals, and microorganisms that live in an ecosystem
Types of biodiversity:
- Species diversity: number of different species in an ecosystem
- Genetic diversity: variety of genes within a species
- Ecosystem diversity: variety of ecosystems in a region
Importance of biodiversity:
- Maintains ecosystem services
- Supports human livelihoods (food, medicine, recreation)
- Provides resilience to environmental changes

The practice of preserving and protecting ecosystems, species, and their habitats
Goals:
- Preserve species and ecosystems
- Restore degraded ecosystems
- Promote sustainable use of natural resources
Strategies:
- Habitat preservation and restoration
- Species reintroduction and translocation
- Ex situ conservation (e.g., zoos, seed banks)
- Community-based conservation (involving local communities)

The benefits that humans derive from functioning ecosystems
Types of ecosystem services:
- Provisioning services: food, water, timber, medicine
- Regulating services: climate regulation, air and water purification, pollination
- Cultural services: recreation, tourism, spiritual values
- Supporting services: soil formation, nutrient cycling, primary production
Importance of ecosystem services:
- Supports human well-being and livelihoods
- Maintains ecosystem resilience and stability
- Provides opportunities for sustainable development