lecture 25 Flashcards
ecosystem function
the interaction that occurs within an ecosystem that affects the rate of input or output of energy and matter
net primary production npp
rate of which community makes primary producer biomass; measure of flow of materials and energy into the biotic component of the ecosystem
gross primary production gpp
rate at which primary producers capture energy from the sun and convert it into chemical energy
what is the gpp equation
npp+Rp (plant respiration)
what percentage of npp is equivalent to gpp
50%
terrestrial npp
increases in the equator but decreases in colder dryer (deserts) areas
npp varies with
temp and precipitation; more sun good but moderate rain because too little cant photosynthesize and too much makes cells fat
marine npp is highest where and why
near coastlines due to getting constant nutrients
how much of npp is the ocean responsible for
46%
earth is what kind of system in terms of energy
open system since we conserve energy and lose it and gain it back
earth is what kind of system in terms of matter
closed system because we dont get nutrients from outside the plant
pool/reservoir
amount of material contained within each compartment (boxes)
flux
rate at which materials enters and leaves compartments (arrows)
boxes will stay the same size if
the fluxes into the pool are equal to the fluxes going out
what are the three essential materials for ecosystems
water nitrogen and carbon
