Energy Flow
Energy Flow
Robert Green
1/9/15
SCI/275
Christina Kamnikar
Energy Flow After reviewing figure 4-10 presented in chapter 4 of Environmental Science, it is easy to recognize the different trophic levels. Each trophic level shows how energy and biomass flow through a food chain however it is eventually lost as heat. These levels consist of: biomass of producers, those consumed, and those not consumed. The first trophic level has the producers which graze the food chain, grazers consist of the second level, then carnivores feed on the second level and continues on. After reviewing figure 4-12 in the same course textbook, energy pyramids show how kilocalories are distributed from one level to the next. More food is available to those societies that eat lower on the food chain (Chiras, 2013). This means that more kilocalories can be found on the lower level of the producers by consuming them as opposed to herbivores. By comparing each pyramid, eating lower on the food chain inspires me to make some changes in my diet. This is because the lower food chain has much more kilocalories than the herbivores that feed off of them in which humans only need about 2,000 of them daily. Figures 4-13 and 4-14 explain the nutrient cycle and nitrogen cycles. In the atmosphere carbon dioxide is absorbed by plants that then pass through the food chain which is then released back into the environment as decomposition (Chiras, 2013). Carbon dioxide is recycled back and forth between the atmosphere, plants, and animals through respiration and waste. People should care about this cycle to understand how this affects them through the combustion of organic materials such as gas, wood, and oil. Figure 4-15 of Environmental Science shows a simplified view of the nitrogen cycle. The nitrogen cycle has steps that include: ammonification, fixation, nitrification, denitrification (Chiras, 2013). Not only is this how nitrogen is recycled between the atmosphere and earth, but also
Robert Green
1/9/15
SCI/275
Christina Kamnikar
Energy Flow After reviewing figure 4-10 presented in chapter 4 of Environmental Science, it is easy to recognize the different trophic levels. Each trophic level shows how energy and biomass flow through a food chain however it is eventually lost as heat. These levels consist of: biomass of producers, those consumed, and those not consumed. The first trophic level has the producers which graze the food chain, grazers consist of the second level, then carnivores feed on the second level and continues on. After reviewing figure 4-12 in the same course textbook, energy pyramids show how kilocalories are distributed from one level to the next. More food is available to those societies that eat lower on the food chain (Chiras, 2013). This means that more kilocalories can be found on the lower level of the producers by consuming them as opposed to herbivores. By comparing each pyramid, eating lower on the food chain inspires me to make some changes in my diet. This is because the lower food chain has much more kilocalories than the herbivores that feed off of them in which humans only need about 2,000 of them daily. Figures 4-13 and 4-14 explain the nutrient cycle and nitrogen cycles. In the atmosphere carbon dioxide is absorbed by plants that then pass through the food chain which is then released back into the environment as decomposition (Chiras, 2013). Carbon dioxide is recycled back and forth between the atmosphere, plants, and animals through respiration and waste. People should care about this cycle to understand how this affects them through the combustion of organic materials such as gas, wood, and oil. Figure 4-15 of Environmental Science shows a simplified view of the nitrogen cycle. The nitrogen cycle has steps that include: ammonification, fixation, nitrification, denitrification (Chiras, 2013). Not only is this how nitrogen is recycled between the atmosphere and earth, but also
References: Chiras, D. D. (2013). Environmental science (9th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.