5/19/22, 1:13 PM Energy Flows in the Ecosystem

Ecosystem
 

2.1 Energy Flow in an Ecosystem

 
Species
↓
Population
↓
Community
↓
Ecosystem
↓
Producer
↓
 Primary Consumer 
↓
Secondary Consumer 
↓
Tertiary Consumer 
↓
 Decomposer
 
 

A producer is an organism that produces its own food through photosynthesis. 

Primary Consumers are herbivores and omnivores that eat producers.
Secondary consumer is an omnivore and carnivore that eats the primary consumer.
Tertiary consumer is a secondary carnivore that eats a secondary consumer.
Decomposer is an organism that breaks doen dead animals and plants into simpler materials or nutrients.

   
FOOD CHAIN

Food chain used to show the feeding relationship between organisms.

FOOD WEB

The interconnection of a few food chains is called a food web

Energy Flow (Energy is transferred from one organism to another organism)

 

2.2 Nutrient Cycle in an Ecosystem

 
Nutrients are obtained from a balanced ecosystem and used by living things. Then, the nutrients are returned to the environment to be
used again. This cycle is called a nutrient cycle.

Water Cycle

Water is absorbed by the roots of plants and released into the atmosphere through transpiration.
Animals carry out respiration, defecation and excretion which increase the water content in the atmosphere.
The roots of plants hold the soil tightly prevents soil erosion.
Leaves that fall from trees and cover the surface of the earth will reduce the rate of evaporation and prevent the soil from becoming dry.

Carbon cycle and Oxygen Cycle

Plants and animals carry out respiration which uses oxygen and releases carbon dioxide.
The decay of dead plants and animals by bacteria and fungi in the soil uses oxygen and releases carbon dioxide.
Green plants maintain the content of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the air through photosynthesis which absorbs carbon dioxide and
releases oxygen.

Steps to solve problems when there is an Interference to the Nutrient Cycle

1. Create planned agricultural systems

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5/19/22, 1:13 PM Energy Flows in the Ecosystem

2. Use public transport

3. Store rainwater for daily use
4. Replant trees
5. Tighten laws

2.3  Interdependence and Interaction among Organisms, and between Organisms and the Environment

 
Habitat
The natural surroundings or home of an organism.
Species
A group of organisms that have common  characteristics and can reproduce to breed offsprings
Population
A group of organisms of the same species that live in the same habitat.
Community
A few populations of different organisms live together in one habitat and have mutual interaction with one another.
Ecosystem
A few communities that live together in one habitat and have mutual interaction with one another,  including all the non-living
components such as water, air and soil.
An ecosystem is said to be balanced if the living organisms and non-living components in the environment are in a state of harmony
without any external interference.

  

Interaction between Organisms

Interaction between organisms comprises symbiosis, prey-predator and competition.
 

SYMBIOSIS

Symbiosis happens when two or more organisms of different species live closely together and interact with one another. 
Symbiosis includes mutualism, commensalism and parasitism.

Mutualism
An interaction that benefits both organisms

Example: Lichens are algae and fungi that live together

Commensalism
The interaction between two organisms which only benefits one organism without harming or benefitting the other

Example: The remora fish (commensal)  latches on the shark (host)

Parasitism
An interaction that benefits one organism and only and harms the other. The parasite gets benefit and host is harmed.

Example: Tapeworm(parasite) that lives in the human intestine(host)

PREY-PREDATOR

Involves one organism that eats another organism

Prey is the organism that is eaten by the predator
Predator is the organism that hunts another organism for food
Example : Lion(predator) and deer(prey)

COMPETITION

Competition happens when organisms in one habitat compete for a limited supply of basic needs such as light, space, water, food and
mates

Biological Control

Biological control is a method that uses organisms that are natural predators or parasites to reduce the number of pests in an area.
Example: Owls are kept in palm oil plantations to control the population of rats

Factors that Influence Population Size in an Ecosystem

↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
Disease Presence of predators Source of food Change of weather

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Changes in the Ecosystem

Limited water supply

Example: Drought season that will upset the paddy field ecosystem
Migration
Example: The cattle egret migrates to Kuala Gula from September to April every year.
As a result, the number of insects decreases as they are eaten by the egrets
 Change in population size
 Example: The increase of pests causes the population of plants to decrease

2.4 Role of Human in Maintaining a Balanced Nature

Human activities on the Environment

Activity Effects
Soil Erosion
Forest Logging Greenhouse Effect

Acid Rain
Industrialisation Greenhouse effect

Flash floods
Waste Disposal Pollution of water

Steps to solve the effects of human activities on the environment

1. Enforce laws
2. Increase public awareness
3. Practise Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose(5R)
4. Use biological control

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