ecology

• describe the non-cyclic nature of energy flow: energy is passed from one trophic to another. only 10% of energy is passed on to the next trophic level. energy is lost as FRUDE. decomposers release trapped chemical energy, releasing CO2
• what is the role of a producer: contains chlorophyll and able to convert light energy into chemical energy. able to make food by photosynthesis and provide food for other organisms in the community
• what is the role of a consumer: cannot make their own food and obtains energy from other organisms
• how is energy lost in the food chain: faeces, respiration (heat), uneaten plants, dead animal parts, excretory waste products
• how does an ocean act as a carbon sink: carbon sinks refers to area that absorbs more carbon that it releases CO2. atmospheric CO2 dissolves in ocean’s water. dissolved CO2 used by phytoplankton & algae in photosynthesis. organisms store carbon compound. Buried deep in seabed to form fossil fuels when they die
• how does forests act as a carbon sink: atmospheric CO2 absorbed by plants for photosynthesis. large amount of carbon compound stored in trees. buried deep in ground and forms fossil fuels when they die
• what is the importance of carbon cycle: ensures continuous supply of CO2 for plants to carry out photosynthesis. light energy can be converted to chemical energy, which non-photosynthetic organisms can feed on to stay alive. enables energy flow through the ecosystem in the form of carbon compounds. maintains correct CO2 in atmosphere
• how does deforestation result to global warming: less carbon sinks available, increase in atmospheric CO2. CO2 is a greenhouse gas that traps heat
• how does combustion of fossil fuels result to global warming: release large amount of CO2, increase in atmospheric CO2. CO2 is a greenhouse gas that traps heat
• how can we reduce combustion of fossil fuels: enforce laws to reduce CO2 emissions, opt for electric vehicles
• how can we reduce deforestation: regulate rate of logging, selective logging
• describe the effects of sewage in water: entry of excessive nitrates and phosphates into waters that result in excessive growth of algae & water plants. excessive nutrients from fertilisers are flushed from lands into rivers. these pollutants cause aquatic plant growth of algae and other plants. oxygen levels reach a point where no life is possible. fish and other organisms die. dead plants are broken down by bacteria decomposers, using up even more oxygen in the water.
• describe the effects of insecticides: excessive usage of insecticides causes the excess toxins to be washed into water bodies by rainwater and ingested by organisms. insecticides are non-biodegradable and cannot be excreted nor detoxified by organisms and is stored in the fatty tissues of the bodies of the organisms (bioaccumulation). by consuming the organisms, consumers accumulate the toxic insecticides in their bodies & the concentration increases in higher trophic levels by a process called bioamplification.
• what does non-biodegradable waste contain and how does it affect marine animals: harmful chemicals (microplastic) leach from plastic waste buried in landfills into water bodies. plastic waste from disposables can be washed into water bodies and marine animals can die from ingestion of plastic wastes.
• how does microplastic affect marine animals: microplastics are non-biodegradable and cannot be excreted nor detoxified by organisms and is stored in the fatty tissues of bodies of the organisms. (bioaccumulation) by consuming these organisms, consumers accumulate the toxic microplastics in their bodies & the concentration increases in higher trophic levels by a process called bioamplification.
• importance of conservations: maintenance of biodiversity— maintain large gene pool for organisms to adapt well to changes in the environment. scientific research.
• what is the role of decomposers: bacteria and fungi feed on decaying organic matters and break down substances to release and return nutrients to environment