Marine Biology Implication of Work and Energy
Work and Energy in Marine Biology Research Understanding Energy Flow in Marine Ecosystems Energy flow is fundamental to the functioning of marine ecosystems. It begins with primary producers, such as phytoplankton and seaweeds, which convert solar energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis. This energy then moves through the food web as different organisms consume one another. Producers : Capture light energy and convert it into chemical energy. Consumers : Obtain energy by feeding on producers or other consumers. Decomposers : Break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. This flow of energy is essential for maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems and is quantified through various metrics, such as primary productivity and trophic efficiency. Applications in Behavioral Ecology Recent research has introduced frameworks like the Seascape of Ecological Energy (SEE-scapes), which integrates concepts from behavioral ecology to study how energy