Energy Transfer in Ecosystems Flashcard

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What is energy transfer in ecosystems?

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Energy transfer in ecosystems refers to the movement of energy through a food web, from one trophic level to another, as organisms consume and are consumed.

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What are trophic levels?

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Trophic levels are the hierarchical levels in an ecosystem, comprising producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and decomposers.

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What is the role of primary producers in a food web?

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

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How does population increase affect energy transfer?

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An increase in population can decrease the energy available to higher trophic levels due to increased competition for resources.

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What happens when primary producers decrease in a food web?

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A decrease in primary producers leads to decreased energy availability for consumers, disrupting the entire food web.

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What is the impact of natural disasters on food webs?

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Natural disasters can disrupt energy flow in food webs by destroying habitats and altering species interactions.

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What role do decomposers play in ecosystems?

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Decomposers recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem, breaking down dead organic matter and facilitating energy transfer.

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How can human activities affect energy transfer in ecosystems?

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Human activities, such as introducing invasive species, can disrupt energy transfer by altering species interactions and food web dynamics.

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What is a food web?

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

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What is the significance of energy efficiency in ecosystems?

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Energy efficiency refers to the proportion of energy that is transferred from one trophic level to the next, impacting the overall productivity of the ecosystem.