Ecosystems

Energy Flow Through Ecosystems

Unit 8.2

The size matters?

Metabolic rates

The balance between inputs and outputs determines whether an ecosystem stores or loses a given element, thanks to the metabolic rates of the organisms inside the ecosystem. Scientist can measure the health of and ecosystem by the amount of:

• Storage energy or growth NET GAIN

• Loss of mass or death NET LOSS

Most gains and losses to ecosystems are small compared to the amounts that cycle within them.

Multiple Choice

Organisms that get their energy from non-living sources are called...

• Herbivores

• Consumers

• Autotrophs

• Heterotrophs

Multiple Choice

Why does energy decrease as it moves move inside the ecosystem?

• Energy is lost as heat when it moves inside the ecosystem

• Organisms get larger, so energy decreases

• There are more organisms as you move up a food chain