Flows of Energy and Matter Flashcards
Where does energy come from?
Almost all energy comes from the sun
What is energy from the sun called?
Solar radiation
(Insolation)
Is all the sun’s energy absorbed by plants?
No some energy becomes unavailable as it is either absorbed by inorganic matter or reflected back into the atmosphere.
What percentage of solar radiation is reflected back into the atmosphere?
31%
What percentage of solar radiation is absorbed by clouds, dust, etc.
20%
What percentage of solar radiation is absorbed by the ground?
49%
What does gross mean?
Total amount of something made.
What does net mean?
The amount left after deductions are made
What do primary and secondary mean in ecology?
Primary means plants and secondary means to do with animals.
What is net productivity?
The gain in energy or biomass per unit area per unit time that remains after deductions due to respiration.
What is gross productivity?
The total gain in energy or biomass per unit area per unit time.
What is gross primary productivity?
The total gain in energy or biomass per unit area per unit time by green plants.
NPP =
GPP - R
R =
respiratory loss
What is Gross secondary productivity?
The total energy/biomass assimilated by consumers.
