Key Idea.
Section 1
The Energy Crisis
A sustained decrease in biomass within an ecosystem indicates a critical failure in energy flow. When organisms shrink in mass or die off, it signifies a systemic depletion of Energy Storage Molecules (ESMs).
Without a sufficient supply of these essential fuel packets, organisms cannot maintain their biological functions. Growth and reproduction cease, leading to a rapid, system-wide collapse of the food web.
Section 2
A Sealed World
A biodome functions as a model of a closed system. Unlike open environments where resources can be replenished from the outside, a closed system is sealed. Nothing enters or leaves except light energy.
This isolation dictates that matter—every atom of carbon, oxygen, and water—must be constantly recycled. The survival of the system depends entirely on the efficient internal cycling of finite resources.
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Section 1
The Energy Crisis
A sustained decrease in biomass within an ecosystem indicates a critical failure in energy flow. When organisms shrink in mass or die off, it signifies a systemic depletion of Energy Storage Molecules (ESMs).
Without a sufficient supply of these essential fuel packets, organisms cannot maintain their biological functions. Growth and reproduction cease, leading to a rapid, system-wide collapse of the food web.
Section 2
A Sealed World
A biodome functions as a model of a closed system. Unlike open environments where resources can be replenished from the outside, a closed system is sealed. Nothing enters or leaves except light energy.
This isolation dictates that matter—every atom of carbon, oxygen, and water—must be constantly recycled. The survival of the system depends entirely on the efficient internal cycling of finite resources.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter