Chapter 5 Flashcards
(42 cards)
what is a feed back loop
when a systems output also serve as its input
what is a negative feedback loop
when a system moving in one direction acts as input that moves system in another direction
what is a positive feeback loop
when the system is pushed to an exxtreme
what is dynamic equilibrium
when processes move in opposing directions at equivalent rates so that their effects balance out
what is homeostasis
tendency of a system to maintain stability
what are emergent properties
characteristics that arent evident in the components alone
what is runoff
precipitation that flows over land and enters waterways
what is an airshed
geographic area that produces air pollutants likely to end up in a waterway
what is eutrophication
the process of nutrient overenrichment, algae bloos, increased production of organic matter, and subsequent ecosystem degradation
what is the lithosphere
rock and sediment below our feet , planets uppermost mantle and crust
what is the atmosphere
composed of the air surrounding out planet
what is the hydrosphere
encompasses all of the water either underground or in the air
what is the biosphere
consists of all planets living organisms and the abiotic portions of the environment
what is an estuary
body of water where rives flow into the ocean, mixing salt and freshwater
what is primary production
when autotrophs convert solar energy into chemical bonds and sugars
what is gross primary production
total amount of chemical energy produced by autotrophs
what is net primary production
energy that remains after respiration and that is used to generate biomass
what is secondary production
when heterotrophs use biomass from plants to produce hair, skin, muscle, bone
what is productivity
the rate at which conversion occurs
what is net primary productivity
when plants convert solar energy to biomass rapidly
what are nutrients
elements and comounds that organisms require to survive
what are macronutirents
nutrients that are typically requiered in large amounts
what are micronutrients
nutrients needed in small amounts
what are ecotones
areas where ecosystems meet may consist of transitional zones
