Ecology
Ecosystems consist of both biotic and abiotic components, where energy flows from producers to consumers and decomposers, forming intricate food chains and webs. Essential nutrient cycles, including the carbon, nitrogen, and water cycles, sustain life within ecosystems. Population dynamics are influenced by factors such as growth patterns, limiting factors, and species interactions, while human activities pose significant challenges to biodiversity, necessitating conservation strategies and global cooperation.
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What we have learnt
- An ecosystem comprises both biotic and abiotic components.
- Energy flow through ecosystems is inefficient, with significant energy loss at each trophic level.
- Nutrient cycles, including carbon, nitrogen, and water cycles, are vital for ecosystem sustainability.
- Population growth can be modeled through exponential and logistic equations.
- Human activities have a profound impact on ecosystems, leading to biodiversity loss and habitat degradation.
- Conservation biology employs various strategies to protect and restore biodiversity.
Key Concepts
- -- Ecosystem
- A community of living organisms and their physical environment interacting as a system.
- -- Energy Flow
- The transfer of energy from one trophic level to another in an ecosystem.
- -- Food Chain
- A linear sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass.
- -- Nutrient Cycle
- The movement of nutrients through ecosystems, including carbon, nitrogen, and water cycles.
- -- Population Growth Models
- Mathematical formulas used to predict changes in population size over time.
- -- Conservation Biology
- The scientific study and practice of protecting biodiversity and natural resources.
Additional Learning Materials
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