Name:_____________________________________ Mods:_____ Date:_______________
Ch 3 Ecosystem Ecology
3.1 Define Ecosystem:
The components of a particular ecosystem are highly dependent on _______________.
3.1.1.The biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem provide the boundaries that distinguish one ecosystem from another. Some ecosystems have
well-defined boundaries, whereas others do not.
Give an example of an ecosystem that is easy to define and one that is harder.
Easy:
Harder:
Why are some hard to define?
3.1.2 Although it is helpful to divide locations on Earth into distinct ecosystems, it is important to remember that each ecosystem interacts with
surrounding ecosystems through the exchange of energy and matter. As a result, changes in any one ecosystem can ultimately have far-reaching effects
on the global environment. Describe an example of this.
3.2.1
What is the chemical equation for photosynthesis? What organisms? What organelle?
What is the chemical equation for cellular respiration? What organisms? What organelle?
3.2.2 Define the following:
Producers (autotrophs):
Primary consumers (Herbivores):
Secondary Consumers (Carnivores):
Tertiary Consumer (carnivores):
Omnivores:
Scavengers:
Detritivores:
Decomposers:
Draw a food chain: Label producers, Primary consumer, secondary consumer, and tertiary consumer.
Draw a food web: give the names of the animal and label the type (example: mushroom/ detritivore)
3.2.3 The amount of energy available in an ecosystem determines how much life the ecosystem can support. What is the ultimate energy source
for all ecosystems?
Define: GPP
Define: NPP
What percent of the suns energy is captured by plants?_____________
How is it used in terms of percent? _______- lost to respiration ______ for growth and reproduction
What ecosystems have the highest NPP?
3.2.4 The energy in an ecosystem can be measured in terms of biomass, which is the total mass of all living matter in a specific area. The net primary
productivity of an ecosystem—its NPP—establishes the rate at which biomass is produced over a given amount of time.
Define Standing Crop:
Ecological efficiency:
Draw a trophic structure that has 4 levels starting with 400,000J. Include organisms and energy in each level. See textbook
diagram for an example.