Bio1100 Chapter 36 Ecosystems
  1. Ecology   is the study of interactions of living organisms with one another (community) and their physical environment (ecosystem).
     
  2. Energy flows   in one direction through trophic   levels of an ecosystem, forming a complex food web  .





     
  3. Energy is lost as heat   at each trophic level; only about 10%   of the energy is available for the next level.

     
  4. The tilt   of the earth affects climate due to differential solar radiation that reaches the globe.

     
  5. The rotation   of the earth around its axis casts a rain shadow   on the leeward side of mountains.

     
  6. Unlike energy, the physical components of ecosystems are reused in biochemical cycles  .





     
  7. Ocean ecosystems are affected by light   penetration and temperature  .









     
  8. Terrestrial ecosystems are defined by temperature   and precipitation   patterns.