Food Webs

Front

What is an energy pyramid?

Back

An energy pyramid is a graphical representation that shows the flow of energy through different trophic levels in an ecosystem, illustrating how energy decreases as it moves from producers to top predators.

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What role do producers play in a food web?

Back

Producers, such as plants and algae, are organisms that create their own food through photosynthesis and serve as the primary energy source for all other organisms in a food web.

Front

What is the primary source of energy for aquatic ecosystems?

Back

The primary source of energy for aquatic ecosystems is sunlight, which is utilized by producers like algae to create energy through photosynthesis.

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How does the introduction of a new predator affect competition in an ecosystem?

Back

The introduction of a new predator can increase competition among existing predators for food resources, as they must compete with the new predator for the same prey.

Front

What happens to predator populations if their prey is removed from the ecosystem?

Back

If a key prey species is removed from the ecosystem, predator populations are likely to decrease due to a lack of food resources.

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What is the significance of competition in a food web?

Back

Competition in a food web is significant because it influences population dynamics, resource availability, and the overall stability of the ecosystem.

Front

What are trophic levels in a food web?

Back

Trophic levels are the hierarchical levels in an ecosystem, categorized by the position of organisms in the food chain, including producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and tertiary consumers.

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How do wildfires impact populations in an ecosystem?

Back

Wildfires can drastically reduce plant populations and disrupt food availability, leading to declines in herbivore populations and subsequent effects on predator populations.

Front

What is the relationship between energy flow and biomass in an ecosystem?

Back

Energy flow in an ecosystem is typically accompanied by a decrease in biomass at higher trophic levels, as energy is lost through metabolic processes and heat.

Front

What is a food web?

Back

A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains that illustrates how energy and nutrients flow through an ecosystem among various organisms.