Energy Flows in Ecosystems

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Questions and Answers

What is insolation?

Energy absorbed by inorganic matter

The energy reflected back into the atmosphere

The total amount of energy produced by ecosystems

The amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth (correct)

Humans do not affect the flows of energy and matter in ecosystems.

False

What drives the energy and matter flows in ecosystems?

The Sun's energy

Energy that is absorbed by inorganic matter or reflected back into the atmosphere becomes __________ for ecosystems.

unavailable Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts with their definitions:

GPP = Gross Primary Productivity NPP = Net Primary Productivity GSP = Gross Secondary Productivity NSP = Net Secondary Productivity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is measured as the amount of energy or biomass per unit area?

Productivity Signup and view all the answers

Energy-flow diagrams illustrate energy storages as arrows.

False Signup and view all the answers

What should students be able to do regarding energy and matter flows in ecosystems?

Analyze quantitative models and discuss human impacts Signup and view all the answers

What is the formula for calculating Net Primary Productivity (NPP)?

NPP = GPP - R Signup and view all the answers

Ecological efficiency is typically around 50% between trophic levels.

False Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Gross Secondary Productivity' (GSP) refer to?

The total gain in energy or biomass assimilated by consumers. Signup and view all the answers

The leftover energy after producers use some of it for respiration is called _____ primary productivity.

net Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts with their definitions:

Gross Primary Productivity = Rate at which producers capture energy from the sun Net Secondary Productivity = Energy available to consumers after respiration losses Ecological Efficiency = Percentage of energy transferred between trophic levels Carbon Cycle = Flow of carbon through storages and processes in ecosystems Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes the flow of energy in an ecosystem?

Energy is converted from light to chemical energy and then to heat energy. Signup and view all the answers

Human activities such as deforestation do not impact the carbon cycle.

False Signup and view all the answers

What happens to energy as it moves from one trophic level to another?

Some energy is lost mainly through respiration and is not available to the next level. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Energy Flows in Ecosystems

The Sun's energy drives energy and matter flows in ecosystems.
As solar radiation enters Earth's atmosphere, some energy is absorbed by inorganic matter or reflected back, becoming unavailable for ecosystems.
Productivity refers to the conversion of energy into biomass over a period of time.
- Gross Primary Productivity (GPP): The rate at which producers capture energy from the sun.
- Net Primary Productivity (NPP): The energy remaining after producers use some for respiration (R): NPP = GPP – R.
- Gross Secondary Productivity (GSP): The total energy assimilated by consumers, calculated by subtracting fecal loss from food consumed: GSP = Food Eaten – Fecal Loss.
- Net Secondary Productivity (NSP): The energy remaining after consumers use some for respiration: NSP = GSP – R.
Ecological Efficiency: The percentage of energy transferred from one trophic level to the next, typically 5-20% (average 10%).
- This means only 10% of energy captured by producers is available to herbivores.

Matter Flows in Ecosystems

Nutrient Cycles: Matter flows through ecosystems, involving transfers, transformations, storages (sinks), and flows.
- Carbon Cycle:
  - Storages: Organisms, forests (organic), atmosphere, soil, fossil fuels, oceans (inorganic).
  - Flows: Consumption, death and decomposition, photosynthesis, respiration, dissolving, fossilization.
- Nitrogen Cycle:
  - Storages: Organisms (organic), soil, fossil fuels, atmosphere, water bodies (inorganic).
  - Flows: Nitrogen fixation by bacteria and lightning, absorption, assimilation, consumption, excretion, death and decomposition, denitrification.

Human Impacts on Energy and Matter Flows

Human activities significantly impact both energy flows and nutrient cycles.
- Burning Fossil Fuels: Increases carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and oceans, leading to ocean acidification and harm to marine organisms.
- Deforestation: Reduces carbon storage and alters the flow of energy through ecosystems.
- Urbanization & Agriculture: Alter energy and matter flows, leading to changes in local and global ecosystems.

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Description

Explore the dynamics of energy transfer in ecosystems through this quiz. Learn about productivity concepts like Gross Primary Productivity, Net Primary Productivity, and their significant roles in ecological efficiency. Test your understanding of how energy flows from the sun to various trophic levels.