Energy Transfer In Ecosystems Flashcards
Net primary production equation (plants)
NPP=GPP-R
Net production for consumers equation
N=I-(F+R)
What is biomass
The amount of chemical energy stored in a plant
Two ways of simplifying food webs to reduce energy loss
Pesticides (insecticides and herbicides) Biological agents (parasites and pathogenic bacteria)
Ways is reducing respiratory losses in farming
Restricting movement by placing them in pens
The pens are indoors and kept warm so less energy used to generate body heat
What is the role of decomposes in food webs
To break down dead and undigested materials so nutrients can be recycled
The steps of the nitrogen cycle
Nitrogen fixation
Nitrification
Denitrification
How do mycorrhizae benefit plants
They have a symbiotic relationship with the roots of the plants
They obtain organic compounds such as glucose from the plant
What is ammonification
When saprobionts break down proteins and amino acids into ammonia
This is done through saprobiotic nutrition/ decay
Nitrification
When ammonia is converted into nitrites and nitrites into nitrates through a series of oxidation reactions
Done by nitrifying bacteria
Nitrogen fixation
Converting atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia or other nitrogen containing compounds
What is Rhizobium
They are nitrogen fixing bacteria
They are found inside root nodules and have a mutualistic relationship with the plants as they turn nitrogen into ammonia and the plant provides them with carbohydrates
Denitrification
Converting nitrates into atmospheric nitrogen
Done by denitrifying bacteria
Requires anaerobic conditions
What is eutrophication
When minerals from fertilizers enter the water causing an rapid growth of algae
This reduces the sunlight reaching the plants below causing them to die due to reduced photosynthesis
Bacteria feed on the dead plant matter and require oxygen for photosynthesis
This reduces oxygen concentration in the water causing the fish to die
Difference between artificial fertilizers and natural fertilizers
Artificial fertilizers are inorganic whereas natural fertilizers are organic
Artificial contains pure chemicals
Natural can include compost, manure ,crop residue and sewage sludge
