Isle Royale Ecosystem and Energy Flow in Ecosystems

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the Isle Royale ecosystem and the flow of energy through ecosystems, highlighting important species, processes, and ecological principles.

Isle Royale

A long-term biological research site in Michigan studied since the mid-1950s.

Three-Species System

The Isle Royale ecosystem consists of wolves, moose, and fir trees.

Wolves

Apex predator in the Isle Royale ecosystem known for cultural significance.

Moose

Primary prey of wolves; large mammals that can be dangerous.

Fir Trees

Producers in the Isle Royale ecosystem that maintain needles year-round.

Chemical Defenses

Sap-like chemicals in fir trees that deter herbivory by taste and smell.

Trophic Diagrams

Visual representations of feeding relationships in ecosystems showing energy flow.

Energy Transfer

Only about 10% of energy is passed from one trophic level to the next.

Endotherms

Organisms that regulate body temperature internally, such as mammals.

Ectotherms

Organisms that rely on external heat sources, such as fish.

Photosynthesis

The process by which primary producers convert sunlight into energy.

Primary Producers

Organisms that produce energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food web.

Primary Consumers

Organisms that feed directly on primary producers.

Trophic Levels

Different feeding positions in an ecosystem; typically 5-7 layers are found.

Zebra Mussels

Invasive species in the Great Lakes with limited predators, impacting local fish populations.

Sea Lampreys

Jawless fish that are parasites and significantly affect fish populations.

Energy Pyramid

A model showing the amount of energy at each trophic level in an ecosystem.

Biomass

The total mass of organisms in a given area, affecting energy transfer in ecosystems.

Energy Loss

Approximately 90% of energy is lost at each trophic transition.

Carbohydrates

Energy-storing biomolecules in plants, including simple sugars and complex carbs.

Isle Royale

A long-term biological research site in Michigan studied since the mid-1950s.

Three-Species System

The Isle Royale ecosystem consists of wolves, moose, and fir trees.

Wolves

Apex predator in the Isle Royale ecosystem known for cultural significance.

Moose

Primary prey of wolves; large mammals that can be dangerous.

Fir Trees

Producers in the Isle Royale ecosystem that maintain needles year-round.

Chemical Defenses

Sap-like chemicals in fir trees that deter herbivory by taste and smell.

Trophic Diagrams

Visual representations of feeding relationships in ecosystems showing energy flow.

Energy Transfer

Only about 10% of energy is passed from one trophic level to the next.

Endotherms

Organisms that regulate body temperature internally, such as mammals.

Ectotherms

Organisms that rely on external heat sources, such as fish.

Photosynthesis

The process by which primary producers convert sunlight into energy.

Primary Producers

Organisms that produce energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food web.

Primary Consumers

Organisms that feed directly on primary producers.

Trophic Levels

Different feeding positions in an ecosystem; typically 5-7 layers are found.

Zebra Mussels

Invasive species in the Great Lakes with limited predators, impacting local fish populations.

Sea Lampreys

Jawless fish that are parasites and significantly affect fish populations.

Energy Pyramid

A model showing the amount of energy at each trophic level in an ecosystem.

Biomass

The total mass of organisms in a given area, affecting energy transfer in ecosystems.

Energy Loss

Approximately 90% of energy is lost at each trophic transition.

Carbohydrates

Energy-storing biomolecules in plants, including simple sugars and complex carbs.

Why is Isle Royale a key research site?

Its isolated nature and simple three-species system allow for clear observation of predator-prey dynamics over long periods.

Secondary Consumers

Organisms that feed on primary consumers; often carnivores or omnivores.

Tertiary Consumers

Organisms that feed on secondary consumers; typically apex predators in their ecosystems.

Abiotic Factors

Non-living physical and chemical elements of an ecosystem, such as sunlight, water, soil, and temperature.

Biotic Factors

Living or once-living components of an ecosystem, including plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria.

Food Web

A complex network of feeding relationships in an ecosystem, illustrating multiple pathways of energy flow.

Autotrophs

Organisms that produce their own food using light or chemical energy, like primary producers (e.g., plants).

Heterotrophs

Organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms, encompassing consumers and decomposers.

Isle Royale

A long-term biological research site in Michigan studied since the mid-1950s.

Three-Species System

The Isle Royale ecosystem consists of wolves, moose, and fir trees.

Wolves

Apex predator in the Isle Royale ecosystem known for cultural significance.

Moose

Primary prey of wolves; large mammals that can be dangerous.

Fir Trees

Producers in the Isle Royale ecosystem that maintain needles year-round.

Chemical Defenses

Sap-like chemicals in fir trees that deter herbivory by taste and smell.

Trophic Diagrams

Visual representations of feeding relationships in ecosystems showing energy flow.

Energy Transfer

Only about 10% of energy is passed from one trophic level to the next.

Endotherms

Organisms that regulate body temperature internally, such as mammals.

Ectotherms

Organisms that rely on external heat sources, such as fish.

Photosynthesis

The process by which primary producers convert sunlight into energy.

Primary Producers

Organisms that produce energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food web.

Primary Consumers

Organisms that feed directly on primary producers.

Trophic Levels

Different feeding positions in an ecosystem; typically 5-7 layers are found.

Zebra Mussels

Invasive species in the Great Lakes with limited predators, impacting local fish populations.

Sea Lampreys

Jawless fish that are parasites and significantly affect fish populations.

Energy Pyramid

A model showing the amount of energy at each trophic level in an ecosystem.

Biomass

The total mass of organisms in a given area, affecting energy transfer in ecosystems.

Energy Loss

Approximately 90% of energy is lost at each trophic transition.

Carbohydrates

Energy-storing biomolecules in plants, including simple sugars and complex carbs.

Why is Isle Royale a key research site?

Its isolated nature and simple three-species system allow for clear observation of predator-prey dynamics over long periods.

Secondary Consumers

Organisms that feed on primary consumers; often carnivores or omnivores.

Tertiary Consumers

Organisms that feed on secondary consumers; typically apex predators in their ecosystems.

Abiotic Factors

Non-living physical and chemical elements of an ecosystem, such as sunlight, water, soil, and temperature.

Biotic Factors

Living or once-living components of an ecosystem, including plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria.

Food Web

A complex network of feeding relationships in an ecosystem, illustrating multiple pathways of energy flow.

Autotrophs

Organisms that produce their own food using light or chemical energy, like primary producers (e.g., plants).

Heterotrophs

Organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms, encompassing consumers and decomposers.

Decomposers

Organisms that break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the ecosystem (e.g., fungi, bacteria).

Nutrient Cycling

The movement and exchange of organic and inorganic matter back into the production of living matter within an ecosystem.

Keystone Species

A species whose presence and role within an ecosystem has a disproportionately large effect on other organisms within the system (e.g., wolves on Isle Royale).

Limiting Factor

Environmental conditions that restrict the growth, abundance, or distribution of an organism or a population of organisms in an ecosystem (e.g., food availability, extreme weather).

Ecological Niche

The role and position a species has in its environment, including its interactions with biotic and abiotic factors.

Isle Royale

A long-term biological research site in Michigan studied since the mid-1950s.

Three-Species System

The Isle Royale ecosystem consists of wolves, moose, and fir trees.

Wolves

Apex predator in the Isle Royale ecosystem known for cultural significance.

Moose

Primary prey of wolves; large mammals that can be dangerous.

Fir Trees

Producers in the Isle Royale ecosystem that maintain needles year-round.

Chemical Defenses

Sap-like chemicals in fir trees that deter herbivory by taste and smell.

Trophic Diagrams

Visual representations of feeding relationships in ecosystems showing energy flow.

Energy Transfer

Only about 10% of energy is passed from one trophic level to the next.

Endotherms

Organisms that regulate body temperature internally, such as mammals.

Ectotherms

Organisms that rely on external heat sources, such as fish.

Photosynthesis

The process by which primary producers convert sunlight into energy.

Primary Producers

Organisms that produce energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food web.

Primary Consumers

Organisms that feed directly on primary producers.

Trophic Levels

Different feeding positions in an ecosystem; typically 5-7 layers are found.

Zebra Mussels

Invasive species in the Great Lakes with limited predators, impacting local fish populations.

Sea Lampreys

Jawless fish that are parasites and significantly affect fish populations.

Energy Pyramid

A model showing the amount of energy at each trophic level in an ecosystem.

Biomass

The total mass of organisms in a given area, affecting energy transfer in ecosystems.

Energy Loss

Approximately 90% of energy is lost at each trophic transition.