Chap. 4 Sec. 1 What is an Ecosystem?

An Ecosystem is an area that has a community of organisms (Biotic factors) that interact with each other and the non-living (Abiotic) physical factors.

The organisms of an ecosystem affect each other and interact with each other in various ways. Ex: Predator/Prey The abiotic factors of an ecosystem also affect the living organisms in various ways. Ex: water and weather

Biodiversity: Variety of species and genetics Is also affected by the Abiotic factors of an ecosystem. The more diversity an ecosystem has the more it can handle changes.

Ecosystems do change from one system into another. This is called Succession. One community is replaced by another community over time. Ex: volcano land to grassland Grassland to desert Succession takes place to put the ecosystem in balance (equilibrium)

Biomes Biomes are major regions of the planet defined by latitude. They are determined by climate (temperature and precipitation) They are characterized by specific types of plant and animal communities.

Land Biomes: Tropical 0 latitude Temperate latitude High Latitude 60 & higher latitude The latitude affects the amount of solar energy the area receives & so affects the temperature, which affects precipitation.

Chap. 4 Sec. 2 Energy Flow in Ecosystems Energy is transferred from the sun or chemicals to the: Producers: photosynthetic or chemosynthetic autotrophs: make own food

Primary Consumers (plant eaters)get energy from eating the Producers. Secondary Consumers (animal eaters) get energy from eating the producers & consumers. Decomposers (fungi & bacteria) get energy from breaking down dead things.

Trophic Levels are feeding levels. Energy is transferred through the trophic levels and at each level the energy is reduced by 90% shown by the energy pyramid p.88 When energy is transferred some of it is lost as heat because the animal is using some of the energy to be alive. Burning fuel creates heat.

Chap. 4 Sec. 3 Cycles The water cycle moves water through the environment. The water on Earth now is the water the Earth has always had. Be able to label a diagram of The water cycle terms: Precipitation, Transpiration, Evaporation, Percolation, Condensation

Carbon Cycle: Also named the Photosynthsis/Respiration cycle Carbon is moved through the ecosystem from non-living to living things in a cycle. Plants us CO2 & Animals release CO2

Nitrogen Cycle