16. Dynamics of Ecosystems

Question 1

Define sustainable ecosystem

Question 2

List three chemicals (matter) that cycle through the food web and the environment

Question 3

Describe the different ways that matter moves through the ecosystem

Question 4

Define and describe the different trophic levels including primary producers, herbivores, primary carnivores, omnivores, secondary consumers, detritivores

Question 5

Describe what is meant by the 10% rule in a pyramid of energy and relate it to the number of trophic structures available to an ecosystem

Question 6

Differentiate between primary and secondary productivity within a trophic level

Question 7

Distinguish between a food chain and a food web

Question 8

Distinguish between solar, chemical energy and heat energy as each relates to the ecosystem

Question 9

Name the processes that transform energy as it moves through the trophic levels and the ecosystem

Question 10

Identify the role of autotrophs, photoautotrophs chemoautotrophs and heterotrophs in moving energy and matter through trophic levels

Question 11

Explain how the first and second laws of thermodynamics apply to ecosystems

Question 12

Explain why energy flows but nutrients cycle within an ecosystem

Question 13

Explain what factors may limit primary production in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems

Question 14

Define and compare gross primary production, net primary production, and net ecosystem production

Question 15

Describe the four nutrient reservoirs and the processes that transfer the elements between reservoirs

Question 16

Produce nutrient cycles that show sources, sinks, processes, energy flow (in, through then out) and energy conversions (light to chemical etc)

Question 17

Identify the organism and process responsible for moving nutrient from abiotic to biotic and back to abiotic sources