Energy Flow in Ecosystems Flashcards
What is Ecology?
Ecology is the study of how organisms interact with one another and with the nonliving environment.
How do you describe an ecosystem?
Ecosystems can be described by a specific set of biotic and abiotic features
The organisms that live there
Temperature Range
Precipitation (rain/snow fall)
What is an ecosystem?
An ecosystem is a term given to the community and its interactions with the abiotic (never-living) environment.
What are Abiotic factors in an ecosystem?
The abiotic factors in an ecosystem are the physical and chemical factors that living organisms require for survival, such as air and water
What are Biotic factors in an ecosystem?
Living organisms in ecosystems are called biotic factors. They can be either producers or consumers.
What are producers?
Producers make their own food through photosynthesis.
What are consumers?
Consumers obtain food by eating other organisms
What is the definition of Population?
Together, all of the individuals of a single species in a particular area make a population.
What is the definition of Community?
Individuals from all of the populations form the community.
Where does all the energy in an ecosystem come from?
All of the energy in an ecosystem comes from the sun
The sun supports photosynthesis and drives climate and weather systems.
What is the ecosystem recycling pattern?
The Sun powers life in an ecosystem
Producers convert the energy from the Sun and transfer it to the consumers
Energy is moved throughout the ecosystem through the feeding relationships (food webs)
Decomposers obtain the last bits of available energy as they break down biotic components and release the nutrients and minerals back into the ecosystem
What is the energy flow in an ecosystem?
Each feeding level in a food chain or web contains a certain amount of energy
Pyramids represent energy flow in an ecosystem
What are food chains?
Food chains are simple diagrams producer → consumer → decomposer
What are food webs?
A complex network of interconnected food chains called a food web
