Ecology - Ecosystems and Biomes

Ecosystems consist of biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components interacting as a system. Abiotic factors include temperature, $pH$, sunlight intensity, and moisture levels.

The hierarchy of biological organization in ecology is: Organism $\rightarrow$ Population $\rightarrow$ Community $\rightarrow$ Ecosystem $\rightarrow$ Biome $\rightarrow$ Biosphere.

Energy flows through an ecosystem starting from solar radiation, which is captured by producers through photosynthesis: $6CO_2 + 6H_2O + light \rightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2$.

Trophic levels represent the feeding positions in a food chain. The $10\%$ rule states that only approximately $10\%$ of the energy available at one trophic level is transferred to the next, while the rest is lost as heat or used for metabolic processes.

Biomes are large-scale ecosystems defined by their climate, specifically average temperature (measured in $^\circ C$) and annual precipitation (measured in $mm$). Examples include Tundra, Desert, and Tropical Rainforest.

Nutrient cycling involves the movement of elements like Carbon ($C$) and Nitrogen ($N$) through the biosphere. Unlike energy, nutrients are recycled within the system.

Symbiotic relationships include Mutualism $(+/+)$, Commensalism $(+/0)$, and Parasitism $(+/-)$.