ecosystem interactions

Front

What percentage of energy is typically available to the next trophic level in an ecosystem?

Back

10%

Front

If there are 500 kcal available in trophic level 2, how many kcal of energy would be in trophic level 1?

Back

50 kcal

Front

What is the role of a 2nd consumer in an ecosystem?

Back

A 2nd consumer is typically a carnivore that eats herbivores.

Front

What type of organism is classified as #1 in a trophic level diagram?

Back

Producer

Front

What is a trophic cascade?

Back

A trophic cascade is an ecological phenomenon triggered by the addition or removal of top predators, which causes changes in the population sizes of species at lower trophic levels.

Front

Define 'trophic level'.

Back

A trophic level is a position in a food chain or food web, defined by the number of energy transfer steps from primary producers to that level.

Front

What is the primary source of energy for producers in an ecosystem?

Back

Sunlight.

Front

How does energy transfer between trophic levels affect ecosystem dynamics?

Back

Energy transfer affects population sizes, species interactions, and overall ecosystem health.

Front

What is the difference between a primary consumer and a secondary consumer?

Back

Primary consumers eat producers (plants), while secondary consumers eat primary consumers (herbivores).

Front

What is the significance of the 10% rule in energy transfer?

Back

The 10% rule states that only about 10% of the energy from one trophic level is passed on to the next, limiting the number of trophic levels in an ecosystem.