Energy flow in ecosystems
Energy in an ecosystem flows from one organism to the other, as it is being eaten. The energy available to the next organism in a food chain, is only however much there is, in the body of the organism it is currently eating. The food materials that have already been used up by an organism, cannot be passed along to the next organism who eats it.
Pyramids of biomass
Ecologists, have designed diagrams called pyramids of biomass. These display the total amount of mass at each stage of a food chain. Each area, represents the mass of the organisms. They are very helpful, as they assist ecologists in understanding the total productivity of an area. (Productivity meaning- how well it supports life)
Ecologists, have designed diagrams called pyramids of biomass. These display the total amount of mass at each stage of a food chain. Each area, represents the mass of the organisms. They are very helpful, as they assist ecologists in understanding the total productivity of an area. (Productivity meaning- how well it supports life)
Biodiversity
This can be described as a vast range of different species within one community. High Biodiversity means a large number of different species in an ecosystem. This is a good thing, as lots of different species prevent environmental changes having an impact on their ecosystem.
Biodiversity can help if...
1. There is a weed invading a certain area. With many species around, it would be harder for that weed to invade, as compared to an area with only one or two species.
2. there are physical changes, threatening the ecosystem. If all of a sudden there were lots of eucalyptus, there would also be an increase of bees, as more food means more bees can survive. If there are more bees, there will be more honeyeaters, rainbow birds etc.
This can be described as a vast range of different species within one community. High Biodiversity means a large number of different species in an ecosystem. This is a good thing, as lots of different species prevent environmental changes having an impact on their ecosystem.
Biodiversity can help if...
1. There is a weed invading a certain area. With many species around, it would be harder for that weed to invade, as compared to an area with only one or two species.
2. there are physical changes, threatening the ecosystem. If all of a sudden there were lots of eucalyptus, there would also be an increase of bees, as more food means more bees can survive. If there are more bees, there will be more honeyeaters, rainbow birds etc.