APES units 0 and 1 Flashcards
define denitrification
process in the nitrogen cycle where nitrogen is released from the dirt and onto the atmosphere
how much energy is passed from one trophic level to the next
10%
where is the majority of earth’s nitrogen held
the atmosphere, but it can also be found in oceans, forests, dirt, etc..
what is the primary source of energy for all living things
the sun
how do you calculate percent change
old value - new value divided by old value times 100
what is a limiting factor in many ecosystems because it forms insoluble compounds in many conditions
phosphorus
where is the largest share of Earth’s biomass produced
the ocean, the net primary productivity is low, but the large expanse of the oceans supports enormous numbers of producers like phytoplankton
define eutrophication
when plants are given intense amounts of nitrogen and they grow super fast (BAD), can cause algae blooms in bodies of water that block plants below from obtaining nutrients like sunlight and prevent fish below from obtaining oxygen, causes dead zones
what would happen to evaporation, transpiration and runoff if a forest underwent urban development
evaporation and transpiration would decrease (less plants around to sweat), runoff would increase and groundwater recharge would decrease
the Chernobyl question
23.38
what is an externality
a side effect of production or consumption that is not accounted for in the price of a product
what is resource partitioning
when two organisms coexist, feed from different resources in the same community and live in harmony
