A Penseum Trophic Levels and Energy Flow Lesson 1.3: Trophic Levels Lesson Overview and Learning Outcomes The relationships of the biotic components of the ecosystem can be seen in the feeding relationships, transferring energy from the base to the top of a trophic pyramid. The processes involved are discussed. "Differentiate the food chain from the food web. tS Establish the relationship among the subdivisions. At the end of the lesson, learners are expected to understand: * Productivity * Biomass * Trophic Levels * Law of Thermodynamics Trophic Levels * Energy flows through an ecosystem in one direction: “From the sun to autotrophs (producers) “Then to various heterotrophs (consumers) * Each link in a food chain is known as a trophic level. * Trophic levels represent a feeding step in the transfer of energy and matter in an ecosystem. Energy Transfer in a Food Chain* simplified food chain example: “Energy is going from the corn to the locust. . Energy is going from the locust to the lizard. “Energy is going from the lizard to the snake. * The arrows show the direction in which the energy from the food is moving. Food Chain vs. Food Web * Food Chain: “Describes the feeding relationship between a producer and a single chain of consumers. “A simple model showing how matter and energy move through an ecosystem. * Food Web: “A model showing all possible feeding relationships in a community at each trophic level. “ Represents a network of interconnected food chains. Biomass and Ecological Pyramids Biomass* Mass (standing crop) of living biological organisms within a unit area, measured in tons ha al * Expressed in terms of: “Unit of energy (J m day!) “Dry organic matter (kg ha year+) * Vegetation is the bulk of biomass in terrestrial communities. * Reflects the amount of energy stored in the vegetation. Biomass Pyramid Shows how much biomass is present at each level. * Species biomass: The mass of one or more species. * Community biomass: The mass of all species in the community. Ecological Pyramids" Energy Pyramid: * Each level represents the amount of energy available to that trophic level. * With each step up, there is an energy loss of 90% (10% efficiency). cS Biomass Pyramid: * Each level represents the amount of biomass consumed by the level above it. 3: Number Pyramid: * Each level represents the number of individual organisms consumed by the level above it. * Inverted biomass pyramids can be seen in marine ecosystems due to high turnover rates of phytoplankton. Productivity Primary Productivity (PP) * Rate of production of biomass per unit area by primary producers (expressed in units of mass per volume per unit of time). Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) * Rate at which producers convert solar energy to biomass (total energy). * Energy contained within an organism before respiration. ity (NPP) Net Primary ProductiNPP =GPP-R * Amount of biomass left after producers have used what they need for cellular functions such as cellular respiration. * Only NPP is available to consumers. Secondary Production Production of biomass by heterotrophs. Law of Thermodynamics "Energy can neither be created nor destroyed; it only changes form (law of conservation of energy). 2. Energy transformation results in a reduction of free energy: . Energy for heterotrophs is lesser. * Must be fewer than the plants they consume. Energy Movement Between Trophic Levels * Less consumers due to energy loss at each trophic level. * The efficiency of energy transfer limits the number of trophic levels in an ecosystem. Transfer Efficiencies* Consumption Efficiency (CE): “CE= (7) x 100 . Percentage of total productivity available at one trophic level that is actually consumed by the next level. * Assimilation Efficiency (AE): “Percentage of food energy taken into the guts of the consumer that is assimilated for growth or energy. * Production Efficiency (PE): “ Percentage of assimilated energy that is finally incorporated into the biomass. Ecological Efficiency * The proportion of consumed energy that can be passed from one trophic level to another. * Generally, net production at one trophic level is only 10% of the net production at the preceding level. Energy Flow . Energy transfer between trophic levels is inefficient, leading to significant energy loss to the environment. * For example, the polar bear must eat more than the seal, cod, shrimp, etc., to get the energy it needs. Summary of Transfer Efficiencies* Consumption Efficiency (CE): “Herbivores: 5% in forests, 25% in grasslands, 50% in phytoplankton. * Assimilation Efficiency (AE): . Herbivores, detritivores, microvores: 20-50%. “ Carnivores: 80%. * Production Efficiency (PE): “The rest is lost to the community as respiratory heat.Efficiency (PE) * Efficiency (PE): The percentage of assimilated energy (Am) that is finally incorporated into the biomass (Pn). “The remaining energy is lost to the community as respiratory heat. Transfer Efficiencies * Different organisms have varying transfer efficiencies: “Invertebrates: 30 - 40% “ Ectotherms: 10% “ Endotherms: 1 - 2% " This low efficiency is due to energy spent on maintaining body temperature. “Microorganisms: High production with short lives and a high turnover rate. Energy Flow Example: DDT & Bald Eagles * Biological Magnification: Toxic substances like DDT become increasingly concentrated within living organisms as they move up each step of the food chain. “While energy decreases as it moves up the food chain, toxins increase in potency.