G2 Ecosystems and biomes Flashcards
1
Q
Gross production
A
The amount of biomass produced by plants
2
Q
Net production
A
Gross production - respiration
3
Q
Biomass
A
The total dry matter of living organism / ecosystem
4
Q
Reasons why classifying organisms in higher trophic level is difficult
A
- May fit into more than one trophic level
- Omnivores consumer organisms from all trophic levels of the food chain
- Seasonal changes
- Change in diet
5
Q
Reasons why smaller biomass in small number in higher trophic level
A
- Inefficient transfer of energy (only 10%)
- Predators use more energy hunting
- Need to eat more to derive sufficient energy
6
Q
How is energy lost through transfer
A
- Heat
- Respiration
- Excretion
- Not eaten (eg. seeds)
7
Q
Primary succession
A
- On new land without any established soil
- First organisms die and decompose to create first layer of soil
- Low biomass
8
Q
Secondary succession
A
- After primary succession, and existing biota is removed (eg. bushfire, earthquake)
- Seeds and roots are already present
- Higher biomass
