Principles of ecology

Question 1

What are autotrophs?

Answer 1

convert light energy to an organic form

Question 2

What are heterotrophs?

Answer 2

primary consumer

Question 3

What are saprotrophs?

Answer 3

secondary consumers - agents of decay feeding on dead matter

Question 4

What is meant by gross primary production (GPP)?

Answer 4

amount of chemical energy produced

Question 5

What is meant by net primary productivity?

Answer 5

the new biomass available for the ecosystem once respiration is considered

NPP = GPP - R

Question 6

How can NPP be maximised?

Answer 6

• more photosynthetically active radiation
• temp
• water

Question 7

List some energy stores

Answer 7

hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, phosphorus

Question 8

List some structural components

Answer 8

nitrogen, carbon, calcium, phosphorus, sulphur

Question 9

List some gradient generators

Answer 9

calcium, sodium, potassium, chlorine

Question 10

List some transporters

Answer 10

iron, copper

Question 11

What controls births and deaths?

Answer 11

intraspecific competition

Question 12

What is meant by the niche?

Answer 12

the abiotic and biotic conditions under which a species can survive

Question 13

What is a trophic cascade?

Answer 13

effects within a food chain and webs whereby the activity of one species influences the abundance of another indirectly