food webs Flashcards
Define primary productivity
the rate of the production of biomass
deine gross primary productivity
photosynthetic output in terms of carbon fixation
define net primary productivity
the amount of biomass available for consumption after plant respiration
how much of the suns energy that hits the leaf is converted into carbohydrates?
2%
define secondary productivity
the production of new biomass from the consumption of primary biomass, and consumption off consumers by other predatory consumers
which trophic level receives the most biomass and why?
decomposers- they can utilise more biomass than consumers
which trophic level receives the least biomass?
apex predators- they must consume user concentrated, nutritionally rich biomass
in term of a loss of biomass, what is necromass?
plant material that die before but can be consumed by a primary consumer
what else can consumed matter be used for other than production of new biomass?
movement, maintaining homeostasis
what is kleibers law if metabolic rate (mass×)
mass(to the power of)3/4
define assimilation efficiency in fauna
the efficiency with which biomass is digested and used for bodily functions
do herbivores have a low or high assimilation efficiency?
low- they must constantly consume their low nutrition but abundant food
do carnivores have a high or low assimilation efficiency?
high- they consume highly nutritious food and can therefore each less frequently
define production efficiency in terms of use of nutrients
the degree to which nutrients are used for tissue growth and reproduction
define mass endothermy
body
