Flashcards: Introduction to Ecosystems and Food Webs — 10 cards

Ecology — definition?

Study of interactions between organisms and their environment.

Abiotic factors — role?

Non-living elements influencing ecosystems like climate and water.

Ecosystem components — what?

Community of organisms and their physical environment.

Energy exchange — process?

Energy flows from producers to consumers, with losses as heat.

Food chain — structure?

Linear sequence showing energy transfer from producers to consumers.

Food web — difference?

Network of interconnected food chains showing multiple feeding relationships.

Trophic levels — definition?

Hierarchical levels of organisms based on feeding position.

Primary productivity — importance?

Creates organic matter, forming the ecosystem's energy base.

Decomposers — role?

Recycle dead organic matter and nutrients.

Energy transfer — efficiency?

Low; most energy lost as heat at each trophic level.