Exploring the dynamics of ecosystems, this content delves into the complex interactions between biotic and abiotic elements, energy transfer, and trophic structures. It examines the role of producers, consumers, and decomposers in nutrient cycling and energy flow, highlighting the importance of energy efficiency across trophic levels. The piece also addresses the significant effects of human activities on ecosystems, including biodiversity loss and disruptions to food webs, exemplified by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
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Living organisms and their non-living environment interact to sustain ecosystems
Photosynthesis
Plants, algae, and bacteria convert solar energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis
Food Web
Energy from organic compounds supports a diverse array of life forms and regulates the Earth's climate
Organisms are organized into levels based on feeding relationships, with producers forming the base and decomposers playing a vital role in nutrient recycling
Energy transfer between trophic levels follows a pyramid structure, with a decrease in available energy at each level
NPP represents the energy available for plant growth and serves as the energy reservoir for all other trophic levels
Energy transfer from producers to consumers is only around 10% efficient, with losses due to various factors
Human activities such as overexploitation, habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change can disrupt and imbalance ecosystems
Human-induced disturbances can lead to loss of biodiversity, changes in species composition, and disruptions in energy and nutrient cycles
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill caused extensive damage to marine ecosystems, affecting a wide range of species and disrupting food web interactions
00
An ______ consists of biotic components engaging with abiotic elements, crucial for ______ cycling and energy flow.
ecosystem
nutrient
01
Trophic levels definition
Hierarchy in ecosystem based on organism's source of energy and feeding relationships.
02
Role of producers in ecosystem
Base of trophic structure, convert inorganic substances to organic compounds using energy from sun or chemicals.
