Food Chains/Webs + Trophic Levels
This type of organism produces its own food using sunlight or chemical energy.
What are primary producers?
These microscopic, photosynthetic organisms are found in oceans, seas, and freshwater environments.
What are phytoplankton?
This term refers to the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, molluscs, and crustaceans in controlled environments.
What is aquaculture?
The conversion of these vital ecosystems into shrimp farms has led to significant habitat loss.
What are mangrove forests?
Small drifting animals that feed on phytoplankton are known as this type of consumer.
What are primary consumers?
This type of aquatic plant grows entirely underwater.
What are submerged macrophytes?
Aquaculture helps meet this growing global need for protein-rich foods as the population increases.
What is global food demand?
Mangroves serve as important breeding and nursery habitats for many species, supporting this type of local economic activity.
What are fisheries?
These organisms break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
What are detritivores?
These plants grow above the water surface and provide habitat for various aquatic organisms.
What are emergent macrophytes?
This economic benefit of aquaculture includes job creation in farming, processing, and distribution.
What are economic benefits?
Mangroves act as natural barriers against these environmental threats, protecting inland areas.
What are storm surges and coastal flooding?
This rule states that approximately 10% of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next.
What is the 10% rule?
Both phytoplankton and macrophytes serve as this type of producer in aquatic ecosystems.
What are primary producers?
Aquaculture can help restore aquatic ecosystems, particularly through practices like this type of farming.
What is shellfish farming?
This ecosystem service provided by mangroves involves filtering out pollutants and improving water quality.
What is aquaculture?
Unlike food chains, this complex network illustrates multiple pathways of energy flow and reflects biodiversity.
What is a food web?
The roles of phytoplankton and macrophytes in energy transfer are vital for maintaining this aspect of aquatic ecosystems.
What are floating macrophytes?
High-density farming can lead to this issue, where diseases spread among farmed species and may infect wild populations.
What is the spread of diseases?
This ecosystem service provided by mangroves involves filtering out pollutants and improving water quality.
What is water filtration?