Energy flow in ecosystems and biomass

Energy Flow in Ecosystems

Refers to the movement of energy through different organisms within an ecosystem.

Primary Productivity

The rate at which energy is converted by photosynthetic and chemosynthetic autotrophs into organic substances.

Trophic Levels

The hierarchical levels in an ecosystem consisting of producers, consumers, and decomposers based on their feeding relationships.

Biomass

The total mass of living or once-living organisms in a given area, often measured in grams per square meter.

Energy Transfer

The process of energy moving from one organism to another through consumption or decomposition.

Human Impact

The influence of human activities on disrupting energy flow in ecosystems, leading to consequences like habitat destruction and loss of biodiversity.

Pyramid of Energy

A graphical representation showing the flow of energy through different trophic levels, with energy decreasing as it moves up the pyramid.

Efficiency of Energy Transfer

The percentage of energy transferred from one trophic level to the next, with a significant amount lost as heat at each transfer.