Ch. 20 quiz Flashcards
the difference b/w gross primary productivity and net primary productivity is due to…
energy lost to respiration
which process is used to measure primary productivity in aquatic ecosystems?
measuring O2 uptake and release
what factors limit net primary productivity of terrestrial ecosystems?
precipitation, temperature, nitrogen
- NOT silicon
what factors limit net primary productivity of aquatic ecosystems?
phosphorous, iron, light
- NOT temperature
why might assimilation efficiencies be much higher for herbivores eating seeds than for herbivores eating leaves?
seeds are easier to digest
why do aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems differ in their pyramids of biomass?
because of the higher rates of consumption in aquatic biomes
how do changes in stoichiometry affect assimilation efficiencies?
the efficiency of a consumer with a different nutrient ratio than its food is reduced
why are residence times much longer in forest ecosystems than in aquatic phytoplankton-based ecosystems?
the rate of consumption from the next trophic level in forests is lower
how might the carrying capacity for humans on Earth change if the human population ate mostly plant products instead of animal products?
it would increase the carrying capacity by over 50%
