Energy Flow and Nutrient Cycle - Environment Science Community and Ecosystem

Energy Flow and Nutrient Cycle - Environment Science Community and Ecosystem Concept

Energy flows through an ecosystem from producers to consumers. Energy flows from one trophic level to the next.
(troph = feeding)
Nutrients (matter) cycle in an ecosystem.
The processes of photosynthesis and aerobic respiration are important in nutrient cycling and energy flow.

1. Principles of Ecology Energy Flow and Nutrient Cycles Anand Soni ES-03 Environment Science Community and ecosystem consept

2. Energy Flow in an Ecosystem

3. Energy flows through an ecosystem from producers to consumers . Energy flows from one trophic level to the next. ( troph = feeding) Nutrients (matter) cycle in an ecosystem. The processes of photosynthesis and aerobic respiration are important in nutrient cycling and energy flow.

4. Trophic Levels Primary Producers – plants, algae, photosynthetic bacteria, some archaea cells. Most are photoautotrophs . Some are chemoautotrophs (use chemicals in the environment instead of sunlight to produce food)

5. Energy Flow in an Ecosystem Food Chains – show the trophic relationship between organisms in an ecosystem. A single food chain is just one link in a food web Primary Producer Primary Producer Primary Producer Primary Consumer Primary Consumer Primary Consumer Secondary Consumer Secondary Consumer Secondary Consumer Tertiary Consumer Tertiary Consumer Quaternary Consumer

6. Food Webs show all the interacting food chains in an ecosystem. Energy Flow in an Ecosystem

7. Energy flow in an ecosystem is not efficient between trophic levels, which can be seen in an energy pyramid. Energy and Biomass Pyramids The 10% rule Biomass pyramids also decline as the trophic level increases. Why? Energy lost in the form of heat. Energy used for metabolic purposes. Indigestible material Only about 10% of all energy is passed from one trophic level to the next

8. Humans and Trophic Ecology The dynamics of energy flow through ecosystems have important implications for the human population. Consider the resources needed to grow, feed, process, and transport beef.

9. Humans and Trophic Ecology Discussion Question : As human populations continue to grow, will humans be able to sustain a diet that relies on animals for protein? Trophic level Secondary consumers Primary consumers Primary producers

10. Decomposers and Detritivores play an important role in recycling nutrients in an ecosystem. Nutrient Cycling

11. The chemical cycling in an ecosystem is an essential component of ecosystem function. Also called Biogeochemical Cycles Nutrient Cycling CO 2 in atmosphere Photosynthesis Cellular respiration Burning of fossil fuels and wood Higher-level consumers Primary consumers Detritus Carbon compounds in water Decomposition THE CARBON CYCLE N 2 in atmosphere Denitrifying bacteria Nitrifying bacteria Nitrifying bacteria Nitrification Nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria Nitrogen-fixing bacteria in root nodules of legumes Decomposers Ammonification Assimilation NH 3 NH 4 + NO 3  NO 2  Rain Plants Consumption Decomposition Geologic uplift Weathering of rocks Runoff Sedimentation Plant uptake of PO 4 3 Soil Leaching THE NITROGEN CYCLE THE PHOSPHORUS CYCLE

12. The Carbon Cycle is a global biogeochemical cycle What are some living and non-living reservoirs of carbon? What are some of the processes that occur that change carbon from one form to another? In what form(s) is carbon utilized by living things? Carbon Cycle

13. The nitrogen cycle is a global biogeochemical cycle What sort of organisms convert nitrogen from one form to another? Why are each of these processes essential for an ecosystem food web? Nitrogen Cycle