Question

How do humans affect energy flow ecosystems?

Answer 1

Ecosystem:

1. The interaction between all the biotic and abiotic components of a geographical area is termed ecosystem.
2. The primary function of the ecosystem is the exchange of nutrients and energy between the biotic and abiotic components of nature with the help of a food chain or food web.

Energy flow in the ecosystem:

1. With the help of food chains and food webs the organisms exchange energy with each other in the ecosystem.
2. 10% of energy contained in a lower trophic level is trapped by next higher tropic level, the remaining 90% being lost.
3. This 10% energy maintains the energy requirement of each organism at a tropic level.

Effect of human actions on energy flow in the ecosystem:

1. Energy balance of the ecosystem is altered due to human actions.
2. Various anthropogenic actions impact the working efficiency of the ecosystem and thus it becomes difficult for the ecosystem to adapt according to new changes in the environment.
3. Several anthropogenic actions such as pollution, over-exploitation of resources, deforestation, over-population, etc., cause very adverse consequences on the ecosystem.
4. Such actions result in soil erosion, climatic changes, water, air, soil pollution, loss of animal habitat which leads to their extinction, and many more.
5. All of these factors adversely affect the energy flow in the ecosystem.