all the living organisms/non-living factors in a particular area.
NOTE: difficult to know when an ecosystem ends
what important ”players” are in an ecosystem?
detrivores (primary consumers)- feed on detritus (woodlice)
decomposers(specialist heterotrophs)- contain species of bacteria/fungi. feed on dead remains of organisms and animal faeces. secrete enzymes and externally digest food before absorption
what abiotic factors are in an ecosystem?
solar energy input
climate
topography
oxygen availability
edaphic factors
pollution
catastrophies
what biotic factors are in an ecosystem?
competition (interspecific and intraspecific)
grazing, predation and parasitism
mutalism
anthropogenic influences in an ecosystem?
anthropogenic= due to human activity
land development (deforestation)
grazing animals
over exploitation (fishing)
alien species
pollution (sewage)
energy from producers -> primary consumers?
2-10% energy continues to make biomass
not all plant gets eaten (bark)
some energy lost through excretion (eg cellulose cannot be digested, lost through faeces)
energy used in respiration (movement or chemical reactions)
energy from primary consumers -> secondary consumers
10% + most of herbivore is eaten by carnivore
protein rich diet easily digested, less lost in faeces
