Ecological Pyramids, Energy Transfer, and Invasive Species (Lecture Notes)

Vocabulary flashcards focusing on key terms related to ecological pyramids, energy transfer, and invasive species as covered in the notes.

trophic level

Each step in a food chain or pyramid; producers occupy level 1, and consumers occupy higher levels.

pyramid of numbers

A diagram showing the number of individual organisms at each trophic level; size does not reflect biomass.

pyramid of biomass

A diagram showing the mass of living material at each trophic level, based on dry mass.

producers

Organisms that synthesize their own food (usually plants or algae) and form trophic level 1.

biomass

The total mass of living material at a trophic level, often measured as dry mass.

dry mass

Mass of biomass after all water has been removed; used to measure biomass accurately.

energy transfer

Movement of energy from one trophic level to the next, with only about 10% of energy typically passed on.

10% rule

Approximate proportion of energy that moves from one trophic level to the next.

energy losses (in a food chain)

Energy not transferred to the next level, lost as heat during respiration, used for life processes, or stored in faeces/remains to decomposers.

respiration

Metabolic process that releases energy as heat; a source of energy loss in trophic transfers.

decomposers

Organisms that break down dead material, returning nutrients to the ecosystem and receiving energy from remains.

invasive species

A species introduced to a new ecosystem that causes harm to other species, the environment, or people.

biological control

Using another species to control an invasive species, typically by predation or competition.

predation (in biocontrol)

One method of biological control where the control species preys on the invasive species.

competition (in biocontrol)

One method of biological control where the control species competes with the invasive species for resources.

food web

The network of feeding relationships in an ecosystem, showing energy flow through interconnected food chains.

ferret introduction in New Zealand

Example of attempting biological control by introducing ferrets to reduce rabbits, which led to harm to native birds.