Energy and Ecosystems Flashcards
1
Q
Gross Primary Production (GPP)
A
The chemical energy store in plant biomass, in a given area or volume
2
Q
Net Primary Productivity (NPP)
A
The remaining energy available, after respiratory loss, to the plant for growth and reproduction
3
Q
Respiratory Losses (R)
A
Energy lost through respiration
4
Q
Herbivores
A
The primary consumer of the food chain
5
Q
Decomposers
A
Organisms that break down dead plant and animal material, gaining the chemical energy stored in the matter
6
Q
Biomass
A
The mass of carbon or dry mass of tissue per given area
7
Q
Dry Mass
A
The mass of an organism or tissue after all the water has been removed
8
Q
Calorimeter
A
Burns the dried samples and uses the energy released to heat a known volume of water
