Evolution of ecosystems and ecosystem properties Flashcards
What is the first law of thermodynamics?
Energy can be transformed from one form to another but cannot be created or destroyed (conservation of energy)
Name an alternative to photosynthesis
Chemosynthesis
Define net primary production
The amount of carbon uptake after subtracting plant respiration from GPP.
Define Gross Primary Production
The total rate at which the ecosystem captures and restores carbon as plant biomass, for a given length of time
Net primary production ________ with mean annual temperature of ecosystems
Net primary production INCREASES with mean annual temperature of ecosystems
Net primary production increases with _________ and _________
NPP increases with AVERAGE ANNUAL RAINFALL and PLANT BIOMASS
Who performed the first ecosystem experiment? What did they discover when performing this experiment?
Joseph Priestley performed the first ecosystem experiment and he discovered oxygen
List six ecosystem goods and services
1) Provision of drinking water
2) Climate regulation
3) Pest and pathogen control
4) Maintenance of viable fisheries
5) Flood defence
6) Ecotourism
Ecosystem functioning is driven by what?
Many species and their interactions
Describe linear effects
If each species has a unique and approximately equally important role, each species loss has an impact on the ecosystem
Describe idiosyncrasy
Certain species have a unique and disproportionately important role - which can be positive or negative. The loss of these species has a big effect on the ecosystem.
Describe redundancy
Several species are ecologically equivalent so species losses can be compensated (to a point)
