*8.2 energy flow through ecosystems key takeaways*

organisms require…

energy - maintain homeostasis, grow, and reproduce

how is energy located?

different strategies - help acquire and regulate energy

energy flow through ecosystems

flows from producer to consumer

matter flow in ecosystems

cycles continuously through biogeochemical processes

changes in energy availibility impact..

structure and stability of populations, communities, entire ecosystems

autotrophs

convert energy from physical/chemical sources in environment > usable chemical forms

autotroph examples

photosynthetic or chemosynthetic organisms

heterotrophs

consume organic matter to obtain energy

heterotrophs - organic matter is from..

carbon compounds made by other organisms

biogeochemical cycles (4)

carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, water

biogoechemical cycles use and importance

ensure recycling of essential elements needed for life

endotherms and ecothersm

strategies regulating body temp and metabolism

endotherms

produce internal metabolic heat

ectotherms

depend on behavioral mechanisms or environment heat sources

energy availibility on reproduction

reproductive strategies adjusted according to energy availability

metabolic rate and size of organisms relationship

non linear - organism size decreases, metabolic rate increases

net gain in energy results

energy storage, growth of organisms

net loss of energy result

loss of mass, death of organisms

changes in energy availibility - population and ecosystems

changes population size, disrupts ecosystems