Ecosystems PDF

Ecosystem Abiotic and Biotic Features Abiotic Features: Non-living components affecting the environment: sunlight, water, temperature, soil, air, nutrients. Biotic Features: Living components: plants, animals, bacteria, fungi, microorganisms. Key Terms in Ecosystems Autotroph: Organisms tha...

Ecosystem Abiotic and Biotic Features Abiotic Features: Non-living components affecting the environment: sunlight, water, temperature, soil, air, nutrients. Biotic Features: Living components: plants, animals, bacteria, fungi, microorganisms. Key Terms in Ecosystems Autotroph: Organisms that produce food from inorganic substances. Examples: Plants, algae, some bacteria. Heterotroph: Organisms that consume other organisms for energy and nutrients. Examples: Animals, fungi, many bacteria. Producer: Autotrophs that convert energy into usable forms. Examples: Plants, phytoplankton. Consumer: Heterotrophs that eat other organisms for energy. Types: Primary Consumers, Secondary Consumers, Tertiary Consumers. Decomposer: Organisms that break down dead or decaying organisms. Ecosystem Terms Definition Habitat: The specific environment where an organism lives, including both abiotic and biotic factors. Example: A forest or coral reef. Community: All species' populations living and interact in a specific area. Example: A forest community of trees, birds, insects, and mammals. Ecosystem: A community of organisms interacting with their physical environment. Example: A pond ecosystem with water, fish, algae, and nutrient cycles. Food Chain: A linear sequence showing energy flow from one organism to another. Food Web: A complex network of interconnected food chains showing multiple energy flow paths. Energy Transfer in Ecological Pyramid Ecological Pyramid: Graphical representation of energy distribution among trophic levels. Energy Pyramid: Energy transferred from one trophic level to another, with only 10% passing on and rest lost as heat. Example: Producers absorb sunlight, primary consumers gain 10%, secondary consumers gain 10%. Biomass Pyramid: Shows total mass of organisms at each trophic level, typically decreasing due to energy loss. Matter Cycling in Ecosystems Water Cycle: Evaporation: Water from lakes, rivers, and oceans transforms into vapor. Condensation: Water vapor forms clouds. Precipitation: Water falls back to Earth as rain, snow, etc. Runoff and Infiltration: Water returns to bodies of water or is absorbed by the ground. Carbon Cycle: Photosynthesis: Plants absorb CO₂ and convert it into glucose. Respiration: Animals and plants return CO₂ to the atmosphere. Decomposition: Dead organisms break down, releasing CO₂. Combustion: Burning fossil fuels releases stored carbon into the atmosphere.