UNITS
4.2 Energy Flow
C.2 Communities and Ecosystems
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
WHAT ROLES DO AUTOTROPHS PLAY IN THE COMMUNITY?
They are the in the first trophic level, thus, they are fundamental for maintaining the ecosystem; Carnivores/Omnivores --> Herbivores --> Autotrophs
(--> "feed on")
WHY IS THERE A LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF TROPHIC LEVELS IN AN ECOSYSTEM?
Because of the limited amount of Biomass (energy) that is transferred from level to level. Organisms on each level only convert about 10% of the energy they receive from other levels into their own organic tissue.
TO WHAT EXTENT ARE MODELS USEFUL REPRESENTATIONS OF THE REAL WORLD?
They can be partially useful; this is because, for instance, when a food web is constructed, organisms at the same trophic level often shown at the same level in the web. This isn't always possible, as some organisms feed at more than one trophic level. They are not accurate enough to be categorized as completely useful representations of the real world.
Sources:
Allott, Andrew, and David Mindorff. Biology: Oxford IB Diploma Programme. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.
Damon, Alan, Randy McGonegal, Patricia Tosto, and William Ward. Higher Level Biology. 2nd ed. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited, 2014. 836. Print.
4.2 Energy Flow
C.2 Communities and Ecosystems
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
WHAT ROLES DO AUTOTROPHS PLAY IN THE COMMUNITY?
They are the in the first trophic level, thus, they are fundamental for maintaining the ecosystem; Carnivores/Omnivores --> Herbivores --> Autotrophs
(--> "feed on")
WHY IS THERE A LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF TROPHIC LEVELS IN AN ECOSYSTEM?
Because of the limited amount of Biomass (energy) that is transferred from level to level. Organisms on each level only convert about 10% of the energy they receive from other levels into their own organic tissue.
TO WHAT EXTENT ARE MODELS USEFUL REPRESENTATIONS OF THE REAL WORLD?
They can be partially useful; this is because, for instance, when a food web is constructed, organisms at the same trophic level often shown at the same level in the web. This isn't always possible, as some organisms feed at more than one trophic level. They are not accurate enough to be categorized as completely useful representations of the real world.
Sources:
Allott, Andrew, and David Mindorff. Biology: Oxford IB Diploma Programme. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.
Damon, Alan, Randy McGonegal, Patricia Tosto, and William Ward. Higher Level Biology. 2nd ed. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited, 2014. 836. Print.