Organising an Ecosystem Flashcards
What is a trophic level?
In a food chain - the steps an organism is from the start of the food chain
What is the first step in every food chain?
Producers - photosynthetic organisms that synthesise their own nutrients
What is an apex predator?
Carnivores with no predators of their own
Remember to learn and be able to explain the carbon cycle!
How much biomass is transferred each trophic level?
Approximately 10%
Why is there loss of biomass as you go up the food chain?
- Use in life processes (e.g: respiration)
- Not all matter eaten is digested - some egested as waste product
- Energy used in movement to keep warm
What is percolation?
Water trickling down through gaps in soils and rocks
How do decomposers break down dead plant matter?
They secrete enzymes into the environment
How do farmers provide optimum conditions for rapid rate of decay?
- Increase temperature
- Increase oxygen levels
- Increase moisture levels
- Ensure pH is neutral
What is the compost used from decay often used for?
A natural fertiliser for growing crops and plants
What does anaerobic decay produce?
Methane gas
What is anaerobic decomposition used in?
Biogas generators - to produce methane for fuel
What factors can affect the distribution of organisms?
- Temperature
- Water availability
- Composition of atmospheric gas
