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Deciduous Tree

Unit 5 - Soil Systems & Terrestrial Food Production Systems & Societies

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Globe Showing Europe Africa

Unit 1 - Foundations Of Environmental Systems & Societies

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Herb

Unit 2 - Ecosystems & Ecology

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Flexed Biceps

Unit 3 - Biodiversity & Conservation

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Writing Hand

Unit 4 -Water & Aquatic Food Production Systems & Societies

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Cloud

Unit 6 - Atmospheric Systems & Societies

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Thermometer

Unit 7 - Climate Change & Energy Production

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Briefcase

Unit 8 - Human Systems & Resource Use

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Bar-Chart

Internal Assessment

Key Concepts: Trophic Levels, Energy Efficiency, Primary Producers (Crops), Herbivores (Livestock)

Trophic levels are basically the stages of a food chain, from plants at the bottom to predators at the top. Picture it like a game of Jenga - each block is a different level, and each level feeds the one above it.

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Real-World Example: In a simple forest ecosystem, you could have grass (producers) eaten by rabbits (herbivores), which are then eaten by foxes (carnivores). Each one is a different level in the food chain!

In terrestrial (land-based) food systems, we usually harvest food from the lower levels - the producers (like wheat or corn) and herbivores (like cows or pigs). It&#39;s like grabbing the best loot from the first level of a video game - easy and efficient!

When it comes to energy efficiency, primary producers (like crops) win the day! They&#39;re like the sun-loving, photosynthesis machines on the bottom of our trophic Jenga tower, soaking up sunlight to grow and produce food energy. This makes them more efficient than herbivores, which are like the energy middlemen in our game.

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Real-World Example: It&#39;s like using solar energy (direct and efficient) versus coal power (requires mining and processing, so less efficient).

Energy transfer between levels isn&#39;t perfect. Imagine trying to pour a full cup of water into another cup while jumping on a trampoline - some is bound to spill out! In fact, less than 10% of the energy made available to plants (our producers) makes it up to the herbivores (like our livestock).

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Real-World Example: If a plant absorbs 100 units of sunlight energy, only about 10 units will be passed onto the cow that eats it. It&#39;s like trying to power your entire house with a single AA battery!

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So remember, when it comes to food production, it&#39;s all about efficiency. Stick with low trophic levels (crops) for the best bang for your buck!

 
Key Takeaways: Trophic levels guide energy flow in ecosystems. Harvesting food from lower levels (producers, herbivores) is most efficient, especially from primary producers (crops) due to energy losses up the chain. Only about 10% of energy is passed from one level to the next.

Maximize Yield with Eco-Smart Farming!

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Standard Level

Environmental Systems & Societies SL

Unit 5 - Soil Systems & Terrestrial Food Production Systems & Societies

Maximize Yield with Eco-Smart Farming!

Table of content

Trophic levels - a bite - sized introduction

Food roduction - the low - level loot

Unlock the Full Content!

Unit 5 - Soil Systems & Terrestrial Food Production Systems & Societies

Maximize Yield with Eco-Smart Farming!

Table of content

Trophic levels - a bite - sized introduction

Food roduction - the low - level loot

Unlock the Full Content!