2.3 flows of energy and matter Flashcards
1
Q
solar radiation through the atmosphere
A
- not all solar radiation makes it through the atmosphere
- 51% absorbed at surface
- other half
reflected and scattered by atmosphere, clouds, earth
absorbed by atmosphere
2
Q
absorption of light energy
A
- light energy retained by the substance and transformed into heat
3
Q
biomass
A
- mass of living organisms in an area expressed as dry weight
4
Q
productivity
A
- conversion of energy into biomass in a given time
- the rate of growth of plants and animals in the ecosystem
5
Q
gross
A
- total amount of products made
- total amount of biomass made
6
Q
net
A
- what is left over after losses
- respiration, fecal loss
7
Q
primary
A
- plants
8
Q
secondary
A
- animals
9
Q
gross primary productivity
A
- all biomass produced by primary producers, before any is used for respiration
10
Q
net primary productivity
A
GPP - R
11
Q
gross secondary productivity
A
- total amount of energy/biomass assimilated by consumers
food eaten - fecal loss
12
Q
net secondary productivity
A
GSP - R
13
Q
sustainable yield
A
- amount of biomass that can be extracted without reducing the natural capital of the ecosystem
14
Q
why does productivity of an ecosystem vary over time
A
- cold vs warm seasons
- young organisms have higher growth rates
- disease/pests
- damage due to disasters
15
Q
carbon cycle stores
A
atmosphere
terrestrial plants
phytoplankton
soil/organic matter
coal,oil,gas
sediments, sedimentary rocks
ocean surface
deep ocean
16
Q
carbon cycle flows
A
respiration, photosynthesis
decay
combustion
17
Q
carbon cycle purpose
A
- regulates climate through the amount of Co2 in the atmosphere
18
Q
nitrogen cycle stores
A
atmosphere
soil/organic matter
ocean
terrestrial plant biomass
19
Q
nitrogen cycle transformations
A
- biological fixation, bacteria turn nitrogen into ammonium
- physical fixation, lightning
20
Q
ways nitrogen will leave the ecosystem
A
- denitrification, bacteria turns nitrates in soil into oxides and release into the atmosphere, happens in anaerobic conditions
- leaching, dissolve soluble nitrates and wash them out of the soil
- combustion, releases nitrogen in organic material as a gas
21
Q
humans impacting the nitrogen cycle
A
- fossil fuel combustion and forest fires increasing nox in the atmosphere
- draining wetlands where denitrification happens, less nitrogen in atmosphere
- use of inorganic fertilizers, removes nitrogen from the atmosphere, cause leaching
- livestock increases ammonia, nearby aquatic systems
