no

Ecology

The study of interactions of organisms with each other and their physical surroundings."

Biosphere

The part of the Earth where life exists."

Ecosystem

A given physical area (abiotic) and the living organisms (biotic factors) that inhabit that area."

Abiotic factors

Non-living physical components of an ecosystem, such as water, soil, and sunlight."

Biotic factors

Living organisms within an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms."

Ecosystem overlap

Ecosystems often overlap with neighboring ecosystems, sharing some physical and biological components."

Example of an ecosystem

A pond that includes water, algae, fish, soil/sand, and microorganisms."

Community

All species living together in one ecosystem."

Weather

The day-to-day conditions of the Earth’s atmosphere in a given year."

Climate

The average year-to-year conditions of temperature and precipitation."

Factors influencing climate

Shape and elevation of land, latitude, winds, ocean currents, and amount of precipitation."

Sunlight angle and climate

The angle at which sunlight hits the Earth is a major factor in determining climate, with light hitting most directly at the equator."

Unequal heating of Earth

The unequal heating of the Earth’s surface drives winds and ocean currents."

Wind formation

Wind is driven by hot air rising and cooler air falling."

Ocean currents formation

Ocean currents are driven by the same principle as wind: hot water rising and cooler water falling."

Heat transport in the biosphere

The movement of heat through the atmosphere and oceans, influenced by winds and ocean currents."

Greenhouse gases

Gases in the atmosphere such as carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor that trap heat and contribute to the greenhouse effect."

Greenhouse Effect

The process by which certain gases in the atmosphere trap heat, allowing sunlight in but preventing heat energy from escaping easily, warming the Earth."

Solar radiation

Energy from the sun that reaches Earth as sunlight."

Energy conversion on Earth

Much of the sunlight that hits Earth is converted into heat energy."

Energy flow

Energy moves through ecosystems from the sun to producers and then to consumers, but it is not recycled."

Nutrient recycling

Nutrients like nitrogen are recycled within ecosystems and are essential for growth and building molecules."

Producers

Organisms such as photosynthetic algae or chemosynthetic bacteria that capture energy from the sun or inorganic sources to produce food."

Primary consumers

Organisms that feed directly on producers."

Secondary consumers

Organisms that feed on primary consumers."

Tertiary consumers

Organisms that feed on secondary consumers."

Decomposers

Organisms like bacteria and fungi that break down dead organisms and recycle nutrients."

Trophic levels

Levels in a food chain or ecosystem representing different positions in the flow of energy, with less energy available at higher levels."

Herbivores

Animals that eat plants."

Carnivores

Animals that eat other animals."

Omnivores

Animals that eat both plants and animals."

Detritivores

Organisms that consume dead organic matter, such as crabs, mites, and earthworms."

Energy storage in plants

Plants trap small amounts of the sun’s energy and store it in their tissues."

Energy transfer in food chains

Animals obtain energy by feeding on plants or other animals, but only the energy stored by the previous organism is available."

Food chains

A sequence of organisms each dependent on the next as a source of food."

Food webs

A system of interdependent food chains showing the feeding relationships in an ecosystem."

Keystone species

An organism that helps define an entire ecosystem and whose absence would dramatically change or collapse the ecosystem."

Biomass

The total mass of organisms at one trophic level in an ecosystem."

Pyramid of biomass

A graphical representation showing that biomass decreases at higher trophic levels."

Trophic level

A position in a food chain or food web occupied by a group of organisms with similar feeding mode."

Plant life in ecosystems

Plants provide the base biomass needed to support consumers in an ecosystem."

10% Rule

When energy is passed from one trophic level to the next, only about 10% of the energy is transferred."

Energy Transfer Efficiency

Only 10% of energy is passed on because organisms use energy for growth, maintenance, and other life processes, and not all organisms are consumed."

Trophic Level

A position in a food chain or ecological pyramid occupied by a group of organisms that share the same function in the food chain and the same nutritional relationship to the primary sources of energy."

Energy Loss in Ecosystems

Energy is lost at each trophic level due to metabolic processes, heat loss, and incomplete consumption by predators."

Reasons for Energy Loss

Energy is lost because organisms use energy to grow, maintain cellular balance, keep warm, and not all organisms are eaten by the next trophic level."

Energy Flow

The transfer of energy from one trophic level to the next in an ecosystem, with only a fraction of energy passed on."