module 5 Flashcards
what is ecosystem ecology?
studies the link between organisms and their physical environment within an each system context
what are ecosystem processes?
the transfers of energy and materials from one pool to another.
what is a pool?
the different compartments or reservoirs within an ecosystem.
what is a stock?
the quantity of material held in a pool.
measured in units of mass per unit area.
state factors
influence ecosystem processes but they are external to the ecosystem (e.g. climate and topography)
interactive controls
both control and respond to ecosystem properties (e.g. resources and disturbance regime)
carbon cycle is relatively (…..) - inputs and outputs to the ecosystem are (…..)
- open
- large
phosphorous cycle is relatively (…..) - inputs and outputs to the ecosystem are (…..)
- closed
- small
gross primary production
photosynthesis at the scale of the ecosystem.
how is carbon lost to the environment?
- respiration by plants and animals
- combustion (burning)
net primary productivity (NPP)
the carbon a plant has left to allocate to growth after losses trough respiration.
net ecosystem productivity
NPP - respiration
(how much carbon accumulates in the ecosystem)
what % imbalance of carbon is there globally?
6%
what are the two main direct controls on GPP?
leaf area (area for light capture)
growing season length (time for light capture)
dominance hypothesis or ‘mass ratio effects’
the effect of each species is additive, and proportional to it’s abundance. the dominant species have the most impact
nich complementary hypothesis
the presence of a diversity of species traits, is important in determining ecosystem processes
heterotrophs
organisms that rely on external sources of organic material for energy and growth
autotrophs
organisms that make their own food.
saprotrophs
heterotrophs that feed on detritus (dead things)
decomposition
chemical and physical breakdown of detritus which ultimately releases CO2 to the atmosphere, as well as inorganic nutrients
detritivores
consume detritus and chemically alter the material inside their bodies
decomposers
produce enzymes that degrade detritus or soil organic matter outside the cell
microflora and microfauna responsible for decomposition
Nematoda
fungi
protozoa
rotifera
mesofauna responsible for decomposition
acari
collembola