Energy Flows Through Ecosystems

1. How does light and nutrients affect productivity in the oceans?

* Light penetrates the higher level of the ocean and causing photosynthesis to occur there.



2. What factors affect the ability of an ecosystem to support multiple tropic levels?

* The amount of energy , energy loss between tropic levels, and form, structure, and physiology of organisms at each level affect the ability of an ecosystem to support multiple tropic levels.



3. Describe the process bio accumulation, and describe the DDT example.

* The process of Bioaccumulation is where contaminants build up the food web and threaten higher level organisms. For example, DDT built up in Eagles around the 60's and eventually messed up their reproduction essentially thinning the eggs causing the mothers to crush them without intent.