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47 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Net Primary Productivity |
NPP = GPP - respiration loss the amount of energy available to organisms in an ecosystem |
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Gross Primary Productivity |
the amount of energy captured via photosynthesis |
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respiration loss |
the amount of energy used for cellular respiration by plants |
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Trophic pyramid |
Shows energy loss and population decline between trophic levels 90% of the energy is lost as heat 10% moves up to the next level |
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succession |
gradual change in the species that make up an ecosystem |
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primary succession |
happens on places WITHOUT previous ecosystems where there is NO SOIL pioneer species like LICHEN and MOSS begin succession |
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secondary succession |
happens in places where a previous ecosystem has been disturbed and there is ALREADY SOIL there skips pioneer species step |
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Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis |
Biodiversity is highest in ecosystems experiencing moderate levels of disturbance |
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resilience |
ability of an ecosystem to recover from a disturbance more diversity = more resilient |
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climax community |
the ecosystem that eventually forms as an end product of succession |
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instrumental value |
valuable because humans use it |
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ecosystem services |
pollination filtering water cleaning air providing resources -food -lumber -medicine |
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turbidity |
measure of water clarity high turbidity = not clear high turbidity indicates pollution by sediment |
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disolved oxygen (DO) |
the amount of oxygen in the water high DO = better dependent upon temperature (cold water = more DO) decomposition of organic matter by bacteria lowers DO |
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Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) |
measures the oxygen requirement of organisms living in a body of water high BOD indicates lots of decomposition of organic matter high BOD = low DO |
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Nitrates |
measures amount of NO3 in the water indicates nutrient pollution from animal waste or fertilizer excess causes algal bloom and eutrophication |
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phosphates |
Measures amount of phosphate in water indicates nutrient pollution from fertilizer / detergent excess causes algal bloom and eutrophication |
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pioneer species |
organisms that begin successional change don't need soil, they produce soil gradually Lichens Mosses |
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disturbance |
event that drastically changes the structure and functioning of an ecosystem allows for successional change to begin can be natural or anthropogenic |
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pH |
measure of free H+ ions in a solution describes the acidity of a solution low = acidic high = basic |
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fixation |
N2 is taken out of the air and converted into ammonium (NH4+)by soil bacteria |
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Ammonification |
decomposers break down dead tissue an add ammonium (NH4+) to soil |
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Nitirification |
2 step process done by soil bacteria that convert... 1. Ammonium (NH4+) to Nitrite(NO2-) then 2. Nitrite (NO2-) to Nitrate (NO3-) |
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Assimilation |
Absorption of Nitrate (NO3-) into plants and animals |
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Denitrification |
Nitrate (NO3-) is converted back into N2 which reenters the atmosphere |
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photosynthesis |
autotrophs use solar energy to combine water and carbon dioxide to form glucose CO2 + H2O --light energy--> C6H12O6 |
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cellular respiration |
all organisms break down glucose to produce energy, CO2 and H2O C6H12O6 ---> energy + CO2 + H2O |
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ocean exchange |
CO2 dissolves into ocean in 2 ways: 1. phytoplankton and algae do photosynthesis 2. mixing action of waves traps CO2 bubbles higher CO2 levels in atmosphere causing ocean to become acidic |
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sedimentation |
dissolved CO2 in oceans turns into... limestone skeleton of corals limestone shells of sea creatures limestone rocks layers |
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Carbon Sources |
combustion of fossil fuels raising of livestock deforestation burning biomass |
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Carbon sinks |
Oceans Soil Old growth Forests Limestone |
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Phosphorous cycle |
Phosphate is useful form Sources: - rocks - guano - poop of sea birds Doesn't enter the atmosphere Used to make ATP - cellular energy |
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evaporation |
liquid water turns to water vapor |
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transpiration |
evaporation from a plant |
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condensation |
water vapor becomes a liquid |
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precipitation |
water falling from the sky |
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infiltration |
water drains down through soil to join groundwater |
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runoff |
water flows across impermeable surfaces causing erosion and picking up pollution |
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species |
group of organisms that are physiologically and genetically similar enough to reproduce and create fertile offspring |
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population |
a group of organisms of the same species living in one area |
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community |
all of the populations living in an area |
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biosphere |
all of the communities on earth |
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ecosystem |
all of the living things in an area interacting with each other and their physical environment |
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biotic |
living things in an ecosystem |
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abiotic |
non-living parts in an ecosystem |
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limiting nutrients |
Nitrates and phosphates are limiting nutrients The amount present determines how much plant growth can occur Excess causes eutrophication |
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cultural eutrophication |
occurs as a result of nutrient pollution usually from fertilizers - causes algal bloom - block sunlight reducing photosythesis - reduces DO - causes hypoxia - fish kills |
