Unit 5: Ecology & Energy
1. Rainforest Ecosystem Energy Pyramid
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At the top of the pyramid, there are he tertiary consumers, also known as third level consumers. They carry only .1% of the energy originally present. Examples would be jaguars and crocodiles.
Below this level are the secondary level consumers. They actually consume 1% of the energy. Some secondary consumers of the rainforest are snakes and gorillas.
After this level comes the first level consumers. This level includes animals such as monkeys, deer, or rabbits who directly consume the energy from plants, fruits or vegetables. They carry 10% energy.
Finally, the very bottom of the pyramid includes the primary producers. These producers are at the very bottom because the are the ones who are the base of the energy received by all animals above it. They carry all 100% of the energy, and some examples are bananas, bamboo, fruit trees, and more.
Below this level are the secondary level consumers. They actually consume 1% of the energy. Some secondary consumers of the rainforest are snakes and gorillas.
After this level comes the first level consumers. This level includes animals such as monkeys, deer, or rabbits who directly consume the energy from plants, fruits or vegetables. They carry 10% energy.
Finally, the very bottom of the pyramid includes the primary producers. These producers are at the very bottom because the are the ones who are the base of the energy received by all animals above it. They carry all 100% of the energy, and some examples are bananas, bamboo, fruit trees, and more.
2. Rainforest Vocabulary Terms
Biotic factor- toucans, frogs, snakes, jaguars, anteaters
Abiotic factor- warm temperature, humidity, high biodiversity and biomass
Autotroph- orchids, water lilies, epiphytes
Heterotroph- butterflies, beetles, reptiles, jaguars, parrots
Population- Jaguars
Niche of a specific organism- Control population of other species and keep balance
Density-dependent limiting factor- parasites that can eat the jaguar's flesh
Density-independent limiting factor- rainfall or hot temperatures
Predator/prey relationship- chimpanzees, parrots, or monkeys are all preys that are eaten by the predator jaguar
Cooperation- tropical plants help grass grow which supplies herbivores with food and sustains a balanced food web
Competition- Monkeys compete with each other to find fruit as a food resource.
Commensalism- vermiliads, which are plants living on trees, help frogs get shelter and water, but the vermiliad is not affected
Parasitism- a strangler fig, for example, grows on trees, and uses the tree as a place to sprout more roots, eventually killing the tree.
Mutualism- as a bird cleans a crocodile's teeth in a rainforest biome, they are both in advantage because the crocodile becomes cleaner as the bird has a source of food.
Example of a connection between an aquatic & terrestrial food chain- Many aquatic insects are consumed by fish, which are then consumed by birds, and eventually consumed by larger predators in the food chain.
Abiotic factor- warm temperature, humidity, high biodiversity and biomass
Autotroph- orchids, water lilies, epiphytes
Heterotroph- butterflies, beetles, reptiles, jaguars, parrots
Population- Jaguars
Niche of a specific organism- Control population of other species and keep balance
Density-dependent limiting factor- parasites that can eat the jaguar's flesh
Density-independent limiting factor- rainfall or hot temperatures
Predator/prey relationship- chimpanzees, parrots, or monkeys are all preys that are eaten by the predator jaguar
Cooperation- tropical plants help grass grow which supplies herbivores with food and sustains a balanced food web
Competition- Monkeys compete with each other to find fruit as a food resource.
Commensalism- vermiliads, which are plants living on trees, help frogs get shelter and water, but the vermiliad is not affected
Parasitism- a strangler fig, for example, grows on trees, and uses the tree as a place to sprout more roots, eventually killing the tree.
Mutualism- as a bird cleans a crocodile's teeth in a rainforest biome, they are both in advantage because the crocodile becomes cleaner as the bird has a source of food.
Example of a connection between an aquatic & terrestrial food chain- Many aquatic insects are consumed by fish, which are then consumed by birds, and eventually consumed by larger predators in the food chain.
3. How does energy and matter move through an ecosystem?
Energy moves through an ecosystem as demonstrated in the energy pyramid. As consumers receive energy from producers, energy flows through the ecosystem. Animals get their energy when they eat other creatures. Because of this balance, energy is circulated through the ecosystem.
Unlike energy, matter moves a bit differently within an ecosystem. It is actually recycled. In an ecosystem, when organisms die and decompose, they release nutrients which are then consumed by the roots of plants. Matter flows through the ecosystem as this "recycling" takes place. The nutrients are always replaced back into the ecosystem.
- So, just as energy is transferred through trophic levels in the energy pyramid, matter and nutrients are cycled through plants, animals, and the rest of the ecosystem.
Unlike energy, matter moves a bit differently within an ecosystem. It is actually recycled. In an ecosystem, when organisms die and decompose, they release nutrients which are then consumed by the roots of plants. Matter flows through the ecosystem as this "recycling" takes place. The nutrients are always replaced back into the ecosystem.
- So, just as energy is transferred through trophic levels in the energy pyramid, matter and nutrients are cycled through plants, animals, and the rest of the ecosystem.
4a. THE NITROGEN CYCLE
1. From the existing nitrogen in the atmosphere, precipitation brings it down to the soil and water.
2. Plants get the nitrogen they need to grow from the soil and water. 3. Animals eat these plants, making them receive the nitrogen. 4. When organisms decompose, the nitrogen enters the soil and ocean water, and also back into the atmosphere. 5. The bacteria in the soil and water make the nitrogen into a form that plants are able to use. 6. This is how the nitrogen cycle repeats! |
4b. THE CARBON CYCLE
1. Carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere from auto and factory emissions, the burning of fossil fuels, and respiration.
2. The Carbon dioxide is absorbed along by sunlight by producers to form photosynthesis. 3. Plants pass the carbon compounds along the food chain, and animals consume these foods. 4. Animals store this carbon dioxide which is then released again by respiration, and the process repeats. |
5. Renewable & Nonrenewable Resources
Renewable |
Nonrenewable |
|
|
6. Pros & Cons of Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources
Energy Resource |
Advantage |
Disadvantage |
Fossil Fuel |
- Very abundant and cheap |
- Extreme pollution to the environment |
Hydroelectricity |
- Renewable resource, does not cause pollution |
- Destroys wildlife habitats |
Biomass |
- Widely available |
- Burning wood and crops releases as much carbon dioxide as fossil fuels |
Nuclear |
- Efficient, no greenhouse gasses emitted |
- Nonrenewable, generates radioactive waste |
Wind |
- Clean and renewable |
- Wind farms use a lot of space. They are noisy and disrupt the environment |
Solar |
- No pollution is created, and it is renewable |
- Efficiency is low, because solar power depends on sunlight - you never know when you can have dark days! |
7. Intertidal, Neritic, and Oceanic Zones
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Life forms found in the...
Intertidal Zone: Starfish, clams, crabs, and seaweed
Neritic Zone: Plankton, large fish, and corals
Oceanic Zone: jellyfish, phytoplankton, and zooplankton
Intertidal Zone: Starfish, clams, crabs, and seaweed
Neritic Zone: Plankton, large fish, and corals
Oceanic Zone: jellyfish, phytoplankton, and zooplankton
Upwelling and downwelling affect ocean life in all 3 of these zones because upwelling brings up the rich nutrients from the bottom of the ocean to the surface waters and encourages marine growth such as seaweed and phytoplankton.
Just like upwelling, downwelling brings warm water along with nutrients to the bottom of the waters, where organisms who live in these areas are benefited.
- The difference in deep currents and surface currents are major. Deep currents are cold, dense currents that move slowly. They are more dense because there is high salinity, and they move under warmer water.
Surface currents, on the other hand, are heated by the sun and moved by winds, which is why the are located at the surface of the ocean, with a lower salinity level.
Just like upwelling, downwelling brings warm water along with nutrients to the bottom of the waters, where organisms who live in these areas are benefited.
- The difference in deep currents and surface currents are major. Deep currents are cold, dense currents that move slowly. They are more dense because there is high salinity, and they move under warmer water.
Surface currents, on the other hand, are heated by the sun and moved by winds, which is why the are located at the surface of the ocean, with a lower salinity level.
8. Fill in the blanks
- An ___estuary___ is when salt water from the ocean mixes with ____freshwater____ from a river.
- The 3 main gases found dissolved in the ocean are _nitrogen_, _oxygen_ & _carbon dioxide_.
- Sunlight only penetrates so far through the water, so some organisms use the process of ___chemosynthesis___ rather than photosynthesis to make energy.
9. Why are estuaries important?
The mix of the saltwater and freshwater create nutrient-rich waters which are very important for the growth and development of organisms in that area. Estuaries support all kinds of animals and plants, and play the role of a nursery for many creatures. The sheltered waters of estuaries are healthy and safe for all kinds of communities, especially of those reproducing in this area. Estuaries are an overall advantage to the ecosystem.
10. What 3 things happen the deeper we go into the ocean?
- As we go deeper into the ocean, the pressure increases, sunlight decreases, and the temperature drops.
- Humans use technology to overcome these challenges by creating devices such as Sonars, Scubas, ROVs, HOVs, and more. We use technology to help us study the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of the ocean. These technologies help humans study the ocean easily, so they are created in ways to sustain the pressures of the ocean, the little light, and more factors.
- By using technologies to help us explore the ocean, we have gained knowledge. With the help of all the equipment and vehicles used, humans have discovered many wonders of the ocean. Without these technologies, we would not have gain the knowledge we have today. Not only that, but there is much more to discover. These devices are still teaching modern humans about the ocean, and they will be doing so for a long time!