Post on 17-Jan-2016
Energy Flow in EcosystemsEnergy Flow in Ecosystems
I. ThermodynamicsI. Thermodynamics
A.A. = the study of energy transfer that = the study of energy transfer that occurs in occurs in
mattermatter
matter = anything that has mass matter = anything that has mass &&
takes up spacetakes up space
B. The Laws of B. The Laws of ThermodynamicsThermodynamics
1. 1. First Law of thermodynamicsFirst Law of thermodynamics
Energy can neither be Energy can neither be createdcreated nor nor destroyeddestroyed..
However:However:It can It can changechange form…….. form……..
Light ->->HeatLight ->->Heat
The Laws of The Laws of ThermodynamicsThermodynamics
2. 2. Second Law of thermodynamicsSecond Law of thermodynamics
Energy transformations lead to an Energy transformations lead to an increase in increase in ENTROPYENTROPY in a system. in a system.
Entropy = disorder (chaos)Entropy = disorder (chaos) Order ->->-> DisorderOrder ->->-> Disorder Entropy always increasesEntropy always increases..
II. Energy transformations in an II. Energy transformations in an ecosystemecosystem
A.A. Producers Producers (primary energy sources) (primary energy sources)Plants are Plants are producersproducers..
1. E travels via 1. E travels via Ultra-violetUltra-violet lightlight from Sun to plants from Sun to plants
2. 2. PlantsPlants (by photosynthesis) (by photosynthesis) make own foodmake own foodto store E to store E as glucose (sugar)as glucose (sugar)
(E = energy)(E = energy)
II. Energy transformations in an II. Energy transformations in an ecosystemecosystem
B. B. ConsumeConsumerr== organism organism that eats that eats plants or plants or other other organismorganisms to get Es to get E
Energy transformations in an Energy transformations in an ecosystemecosystem
C. C. DetrivoreDetrivore = breaks dead matter into = breaks dead matter into
smaller smaller pieces to help pieces to help recycle itrecycle it
E.g. worms, maggots, crabs, E.g. worms, maggots, crabs, millipedesmillipedes
Energy transformations in an Energy transformations in an ecosystemecosystem
D. D. DecomposerDecomposer
= agent of decay= agent of decay
Recycles the nutrients in dead Recycles the nutrients in dead bodies bodies
to return them to the to return them to the ecosystemecosystem
E.g. bacteria, E.g. bacteria,
fungifungi
Energy transformations in an Energy transformations in an ecosystemecosystem
Energy Flow
in an
Ecosystem
III. Trophic levelsIII. Trophic levels
(-troph= feeder)(-troph= feeder)
Trophic levelTrophic level = = feedingfeeding level; level;
levels of an levels of an ecosystem that ecosystem that E flows throughE flows through
Energy pyramid
IV. Energy Loss IV. Energy Loss Between Trophic LevelsBetween Trophic Levels
Only Only 10%10% 0f E moves from one trophic 0f E moves from one trophic level to the nextlevel to the next
∴∴(therefore) (therefore) 90%90% of E is of E is lost to lost to heatheat for each trophic level we go for each trophic level we go
upup
¿Why does it take so many mice to feed one hawk?
90% E lost each trophic level we go up
V. Food ChainsV. Food Chains
Food chainFood chain = =
the path that E takes the path that E takes through the through the trophic levelstrophic levels
Food Chain Examples
VI. Feeding patternsVI. Feeding patterns
patternpattern definitiondefinition exampleexample
VI. Feeding patternsVI. Feeding patterns
patternpattern definitiondefinition exampleexample
herbovoreherbovore
carnivorecarnivore
omnivoreomnivore
VI. Feeding patternsVI. Feeding patterns
patternpattern definitiondefinition exampleexample
herbivoreherbivore Plant eaterPlant eater Deer, mouseDeer, mouse
carnivorecarnivore Meat eaterMeat eater Lion, dogLion, dog
omnivoreomnivore Eater of Eater of plants & plants & animalsanimals
Bear, pig, Bear, pig, humanhuman
VI. Feeding patternsVI. Feeding patterns
patpat
VI. Feeding patternsVI. Feeding patternspatternpattern definitiondefinition exampleexample
Filter feederFilter feeder Filters food Filters food from waterfrom water
Baleen Baleen whales,whales,
flamingoesflamingoes
DetrivoreDetrivore Eater of dead Eater of dead organic organic mattermatter
Maggots, Maggots, crabs, worms, crabs, worms, millipedesmillipedes
DecomposerDecomposer Breaks dead matter Breaks dead matter to the molecular to the molecular level, returns level, returns nutrients to the nutrients to the envt.envt.
Bacteria, Bacteria, fungifungi