Ecosystems and Energy

1st law of thermodynamics- energy cannot be created or destroyed

2nd law of thermodynamics- when energy is converted from one form to another, some energy is “lost” as heat, and dissipates into the environment

The total amount of energy available to do biological work is decreasing over time, total energy is not decreasing

Increasing entropy (disorder) No energy conversion is 100% efficient

The “Hustle and Flow” of Energy through Ecosystems

Detrivore and Decomposer- Both are decomposers- detrivores consume nutrients through a mouth. Saprobes release an enzyme that breaks down nutrients outside the body. They then absorb nutrients through their cell membrane/cell wall

Can a food chain have an indefinite amount of interactions?

Ecological Pyramids

Represent the relative energy values of each trophic level Pyramid of numbers- do not show amount

of energy transfer or biomass Pyramid of biomass- can be 90% reduction

of biomass at each level Pyramid of energy