Ch 3 Ecosystem dynamics

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What is ecosystem dynamics?

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Ecosystem dynamics refers to the changes and interactions within an ecosystem over time, including the flow of energy and nutrients, population dynamics, and the impact of external factors.

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What is productivity in an ecosystem?

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Productivity in an ecosystem is the rate at which energy is converted by photosynthetic and chemosynthetic autotrophs to organic substances.

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What is the troposphere?

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The troposphere is the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere, where weather occurs and where the air we breathe is found.

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What are decomposers?

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Decomposers are organisms, such as fungi and bacteria, that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

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What role does photosynthesis play in the carbon cycle?

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Photosynthesis converts carbon dioxide into oxygen and glucose, which are essential for the survival of most life forms and helps regulate atmospheric carbon levels.

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What is an energy pyramid?

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An energy pyramid is a graphical representation of the energy flow in an ecosystem, showing the energy available at each trophic level.

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What percentage of energy is typically lost at each trophic level?

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Typically, 90% of energy is lost as heat or used by organisms for survival at each trophic level.

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What is the biosphere?

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The biosphere is the global sum of all ecosystems, where life exists, including land, water, and the atmosphere.

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What is the role of primary producers in an ecosystem?

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Primary producers, such as plants and algae, convert solar energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food chain.

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What is nutrient cycling?

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