Ecosystems & Energy Flow

Ecosystem Ecology

Study of interactions between organisms and their environment

Biome

Large region with specific climate and organisms

Photosynthesis

Process producers use to make food using sunlight: Equation is 6CO2 + 6H2O + Light energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2

Cellular Respiration

Process cells use to release energy from glucose. Equation: C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H20 + Energy (ATP)

Producer

Organism that makes it own food

Primary Consumer

Organism that eats producers

Secondary Consumer

Organism that eats primary consumers

Tertiary consumer

Organism that eats secondary consumers

Herbivore

Eats plants

Carnivore

Eats animals (meat)

Omnivore

Eats plants and animals

Decomposer

Breaks down dead organisms and waste, recycles nutrients back into ecosystem.

Food chain

Single pathway of energy transfer

Food Web

Multiple interconnected food chains

Mutualism

Both species benefit

Commensalism

One benefits, other is unaffected

Parasitism

One benefits, other is harmed

Niche

Role of an organism in its ecosystem

Niche Generalist

Species with a wide niche

Niche Specialist

Species with a narrow niche

Keystone Species

Species with a large impact on ecosystem structure

Invasive Species

Non-native species that harms ecosystems

GPP

Total energy captured by producers

NPP

Energy available to consumers after respiration

10% Rule

Only 10% of energy transfers to the next trophic level

Tundra

A cold, treeless biome with very low precipitation, mostly as snow, and little seasonal variation. Temperatures are extremely cold. Permafrost prevents deep root growth.

Temperate Deciduous (seasonal) Forest

This biome receives medium precipitation that is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. It has moderate temperatures with clear seasonal variation, including cold winters and warm summers. Trees lose their leaves in the fall to conserve energy.

Subtropical Desert

Very dry regions located around 30° latitude. They receive very low precipitation, which is rare and unpredictable. Temperatures are generally high, with hot days and cooler nights.

Tropical seasonal forest/ Savanna

This biome is warm year-round but has distinct wet and dry seasons. It receives medium to high precipitation, mostly during the wet season. Temperatures stay high throughout the year. Many plants lose their leaves during the dry season to conserve water.

Tropical Rainforest

A hot, dense forest found near the equator with very high precipitation year-round and little to no dry season. Temperatures remain high and consistent throughout the year. These conditions allow for extremely high biodiversity.

Boreal Forest

This biome has low to medium precipitation, much of it falling as snow, and long, cold winters with short, cool summers. Temperatures are generally low, especially for most of the year. Coniferous trees dominate due to their cold tolerance.

Woodland/shrubland

This biome has hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters, so precipitation is medium and highly seasonal. Temperatures are moderate overall, with warm summers and mild winters. Vegetation is dominated by shrubs adapted to drought and fire.

Temperate Rainforest

They have high precipitation, often seasonal, with wetter periods during parts of the year. Temperatures are moderate and mild year-round. These forests are dominated by large evergreen trees.

Temperate grassland

This biome experiences low to medium precipitation, which is seasonal, with most rain falling during the growing season. Temperatures are moderate overall but highly seasonal, with cold winters and warm summers. These areas have fertile soil.

Predation

One hunts and kills another (lions eating zebras)

Competition

Can be for food, space, mates, etc.