Energy & Ecosystems Flashcards
What is the law of thermodynamics say
energy is neither created nor destroyed
what do biogeochemical cycles include (3)
biotic components
abiotic components
abiotic reservoirs
What are abiotic reservoirs
where chemical accumulate or are stockpiled outside of living organisms
what is gross primary production
the total amount of primary production during a given time period
what is the net primary production
the energy leftover
In an ecosystem what are producers
photosynthetic organisms (autotrophs)
in ecosystems what are consumers
things that eat autotrophs (heterotrophs)
What is a food chain depict
various feeding levels
What are the 4 Trophic Levels
autotrophs
primary consumers
secondary consumers
tertiary consumers
What are detritovores
class of consumers that feed off remains of dead organisms
what is gross primary production
amount of energy that the photosynthesizer assimilates
how much energy is trapped at level 1
about 2% of the suns energy
about how much energy at do primary consumers leave for level 3
about 2%
What is trophic succession
at each successive trophic level less energy is available for organisms
