Energy Flow in Ecosystems

Flashcards covering key concepts related to energy flow and biomass in ecosystems based on provided lecture notes.

Decomposers

Organisms that break down dead matter and waste, releasing nutrients back into the ecosystem.

Tertiary consumers

Organisms that feed on secondary consumers; they are typically the top predators in a food chain.

Secondary consumers

Organisms that eat primary consumers; they play a vital role in energy transfer within an ecosystem.

Primary consumers

Herbivores that consume primary producers; they convert plant energy into energy for higher trophic levels.

Primary producers

Organisms that produce energy through photosynthesis; they form the base of the energy pyramid.

Energy loss in ecosystems

Approximately 90% of energy is lost as heat at each trophic level, while about 10% is transferred to the next level.

Pyramids of energy

Visual representations of energy flow through different trophic levels, showing energy availability and loss.

Light energy conversion

The process by which primary producers convert sunlight into chemical energy during photosynthesis.

Biomass accumulation

The total mass of living organisms in a given area, highest in primary producers and decreases at higher trophic levels.

Energy storage during photosynthesis

Energy captured by plants during photosynthesis is stored as simple and complex carbohydrates.