Questions and Answers
Who coined the term 'ecosystem'?
Sir Arthur George Tansley
Which of these are components of an ecosystem? (Select all that apply)
What type of biome has long harsh winters and short summers?
Match the following types of consumers with their dietary habits:
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What is the primary source of energy for producers?
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What is the primary function of decomposers in an ecosystem?
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Which of the following statements about energy transfer in an ecosystem is true?
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A food chain shows a single, direct path of energy flow from producers to ________.
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Decomposers are not typically shown in a simple energy pyramid.
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What are the two main types of food webs?
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Study Notes
Sir Arthur George Tansley
- British ecologist known for coining the term "ecosystem" in 1935.
Components of Ecosystems
- Biotic: Includes producers (plants), consumers (animals), and decomposers (bacteria, yeast, fungi).
- Abiotic: Physical and chemical factors that influence biotic components.
Producers and Consumers
- Producers (Autotrophs): Capture solar energy to produce food from organic and inorganic materials.
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Consumers (Heterotrophs): Rely on autotrophs for food; categorized into:
- Herbivores: Plant eaters.
- Carnivores: Flesh eaters.
- Omnivores: Eat both plants and animals.
- Decomposers: Break down dead matter, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
Biome Hierarchy
- Ecosystems are organized into biomes, large ecological zones defined by dominant vegetation and climate.
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Types of Biomes:
- Tundra: Characterized by long winters and short summers.
- Taiga: Features poor soil and a short growing season.
- Temperate Deciduous Forest: Hot summers, cold winters, and rich soil.
- Tropical Rainforest: Warm temperatures and abundant moisture.
- Grassland: Suitable for crops with distinct seasonal temperature changes.
- Desert: Dry climate with minimal plant life.
Aquatic Ecosystems
- Freshwater: Includes standing (lentic) and flowing (lotic) water.
- Marine: Consists of oceanic environments with zones defined by depth (e.g., benthic zones).
Energy Pyramid
- Producers (Base): Fundamental organisms like plants and algae that perform photosynthesis.
- Primary Consumers (Second Level): Herbivores like rabbits and deer that consume producers.
- Secondary Consumers (Third Level): Carnivores that feed on primary consumers (e.g., foxes).
- Tertiary Consumers (Fourth Level): Top carnivores preying on secondary consumers (e.g., hawks).
- Terminal Consumers (Top Level): Apex predators, facing minimal natural threats.
Key Points of Energy Flow
- Energy Loss: Approximately 90% of energy is lost at each trophic level due to metabolic processes.
- Decreasing Biomass: Relative living matter diminishes as one ascends the pyramid.
- Limited Levels: Typically, ecosystems sustain only 4-5 trophic levels due to energy loss constraints.
Food Chain
- Linear Pathway for Energy Flow: Shows direct energy movement from producers to consumers.
- Example: Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake → Hawk.
- Food Webs: Complex interconnections of food chains that represent true energy dynamics in ecosystems.
Types of Food Chains
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Grazing Food Chain:
- Begins with producers and progresses to herbivores and then carnivores (e.g., corn → caterpillar → chicken).
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Detrital Food Chain:
- Starts with decomposed organic material and includes detritivores (e.g., dead leaves → earthworms → chicken).
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Food Web Organizations:
- Grazing Web: Initiates with photosynthetic organisms.
- Detrital Web: Commences from organic detritus.
Trophic Levels
- Hierarchical levels based on feeding relationships:
- First Level: Primary producers (plants).
- Second Level: Herbivores (primary consumers).
- Third Level: Carnivores (secondary consumers).
- Fourth Level: Tertiary consumers feeding on other carnivores.
- Decomposers: Recycle nutrients based on the type of organic material encountered.
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Description
Explore the key concepts of environmental science in this quiz, focusing on Sir Arthur George Tansley and his contributions to ecology. Learn about the biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems, including producers, consumers, and decomposers. Test your understanding of ecosystem dynamics and terminology.
