ecosystem dynamics - flow of energy in ecosystems

Question 1

food chains

Answer 1

qualitative, predictive model that allow ecologists to monitor the sustainability of feeding relationships in an ecosystem. each organism in a food chain obtains its energy from the preceding one

Question 2

food webs

Answer 2

a group of food chains that are linked together showing the interactions between food chains in a community

Question 3

trophic level

Answer 3

the position of an organism in a feeding level

Question 4

primary consumer

Answer 4

feed directly on producers

Question 5

omnivore

Answer 5

feed on both plants and animals

Question 6

detritivore

Answer 6

feed on dead/dying organic remains & waste. speed up decay by breaking down large pieces of detritus into larger surface area allowing decomposers to work more efficiently

Question 7

decomposer

Answer 7

break down complex organic molecules into simple inorganic forms and return nutrients to soil or water

Question 8

10% rule

Answer 8

only about 10% of the energy at one trophic level is passed onto the next level

Question 9

ecological pyramid

Answer 9

diagrams that illustrate the relative levels of one of three different factors; numbers, biomass & energy

Question 10

scavengers

Answer 10

feed on the dead remains of other organisms

Question 11

pyramid of numbers

Answer 11

shows the total number of organisms present in an ecosystem. can be inverted, and may not have an apex

Question 12

pyramid of biomass

Answer 12

shows the total amount of biomass in an ecosystem. occasionally inverted

Question 13

pyramid of energy

Answer 13

shows the rate of energy transfer through successive trophic levels. never inverted