Question

ECOSYSTEMS AND THE BIOSPHERE

Define the term “ecosystem” in one sentence.

Describe in one short paragraph the general flow of energy and the cycling of nutrients through ecosystems.

Identify the differences and similarities between a food chain and a food web.

Name and define each trophic level in an ecosystem and cite an example for each level, using the following terms: producer, primary consumer, secondary consumer, tertiary consumer, decomposer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, autotroph, and heterotroph.

Answer 1

Ecosystem is an entire community(biological) comprising of both living and non-living components such as air, water, soil, minerals etc sharing a complex interactive relationship with each other. These abiotic and biotic components are linked via energy flows and nutrient cycle.

# The general flow of energy and the cycling of nutrients through ecosystems mainly takes place through food chain and passes through producers/autotrophs(produce own food) ----- consumers/heterotrophs(consume others organisms as food) --------scavengers( eats dead animals) -------------- decomposers( returns backs nutrient to the soil after decomposing dead animals remains for example : bacteria and fungi).

A simple food chain example can be seen below:

grass > cow > lion > dead(bacteria & fungi & ants) > nutrients back to soil

# Each trophic level in an ecosystem and cite an example for each level, using the following terms:

Producer : Plants, algae

primary consumer : Goat, Rabbit

secondary consumer : Dog, fox

tertiary consumer: Lion, tiger

decomposer: Bacteria, Kookaburra

herbivore: Cow

carnivore: Wolves, hawks

omnivore: bear, people

autotroph: plant

and heterotroph: Lizard, fishes