P

Question 1

Parameter

Answer 1

A variable which is held constant in a given application or run of a model because it is assumed to stay constant, ie the force of gravity or the rate of atmospheric mixing.

Question 2

Parameterisation

Answer 2

Representing or characterising something in terms of a parameter or parameters. A Paramaribo representation is usually far simpler than the real process it represents.

Question 3

Parametric error

Answer 3

Model error resulting from uncertainty regarding the correct values of model parameters.

Question 4

Parasites

Answer 4

Organisms that for all or part of their lives, derive nutrition from another species (a host) which is harmed in some way by the association.

Question 5

Paristoid

Answer 5

Insect whose larvae develop in or on the bodies of other insects. In this respect they are live parasites, but as they kill their hosts, there actions are of a predator.

Question 6

Partial differential equation

Answer 6

An equation that involves gradients in more than one dimension. Such as where the rate of change of a quantity depends on its spatial gradients.

Question 7

Patch dynamics

Answer 7

A conceptual approach to an ecosystem and habitat analysis that emphasises the dynamics of heterogeneity within a system. Diverse patches of habitat created by natural disturbance regimes are seen as critical to maintenance of diversity.

Question 8

Patch dynamics theory

Answer 8

Focuses on change of state of patches themselves. Patches are defined in terms of whether they are suitable or unsuitable for colonisation.

Question 9

Pathogens

Answer 9

Microorganisms that cause disease (viruses, bacteria, fungi, protocists)

Question 10

Perennial

Answer 10

A plant that flowers more than once or lives for more than one year before flowering.

Question 11

Persistent organic pollutants POPs

Answer 11

Organic compounds that are resistant to breakdown and as a result exist in the environment; they Bioaccumulate in animal tissues and Biomagnify in food chains.

Question 12

Perturbation

Answer 12

General term for temporary and possibly unpredictable change in the conditions or state of one or more env variables.

Question 13

Phenology

Answer 13

The study of the timing of seasonal biological events in relation to climate.

Question 14

Phenomenological

Answer 14

Dealing with phenomena rather than cause or explanation.

Question 15

Photobiont

Answer 15

Plant partner of mychorrizal association.

Question 16

Phototroph

Answer 16

An organism that uses energy from light to manufacture organic compounds by PS.

Question 17

Phytophagous

Answer 17

Sucking and leaf eating species. Includes larval butterflies and moths and sap-sucking bugs.

Question 18

Phytoplankton

Answer 18

The photosynthetic component of plankton.

Question 19

Phytotoxic

Answer 19

Damaging or harmful to plants.

Question 20

Pioneer species

Answer 20

Species that become established in the first stage of the successional sequence either colonising areas of bare ground in primary succession, or in secondary succession colonising an area after disturbance.

Question 21

Piscivorous

Answer 21

Predators that feed primarily on fish. Such as adult E.lucius.

Question 22

Plankton

Answer 22

All smaller organisms, bacteria and algae, that live unattached in the water column but cannot swim against the current. They have weak swimming ability, allowing them to move up and down the water column and drift passively.

Question 23

Plant functional type PFT

Answer 23

A grouping of plant species of similar function, eg tropical broadleaved evergreens.

Question 24

Pollinophagous

Answer 24

Organisms that eat pollen. Includes pollinating species. Such as wild bee, beetles and flies.

Question 25

Pool

Answer 25

The amount of material stored in different parts of the environment. It tends to be a term to specific reserves of a material.

Question 26

Population

Answer 26

A set of individuals of the same species, either in a given area or which are able to interbreed. A closed population is one without emigration or immigration.

Question 27

Population dynamics

Answer 27

Changes in pop size in time and/or space.

Question 28

Population regulation

Answer 28

The process that produce persistence of a population at or around certain population sizes.

Question 29

Population based model (area based model)

Answer 29

A type of DGVM in which the basic variables are averages of the entire population of plants of each type within a grid cell.

Question 30

Population-community approach

Answer 30

A way of looking at an ecosystem in terms of the organisms and populations within the system, rather than the processes that operate within the system.

Question 31

Porometer

Answer 31

An instrument that measures the rate which water vapour diffuses out of leaves.

Question 32

Positive feedback

Answer 32

When new data facilitate and accelerate the transformation in th same direction as the preceding results they are positive fb, their effects are amplified. Positive feedback amplifies possibilities of divergences (evolution, change of goals), it gives the system the ability to access new points of equilibrium.

Question 33

Potential ET

Answer 33

The atmospheric demand for water from a surface.

Question 34

Process-function approach

Answer 34

A way of looking at an ecosystem in terms of the processes and functions operating within that system, looking at the energy and materials that move through the system rather than being concerned with the organisms involved in that system.

Question 35

Propagules

Answer 35

Structures that can give rise to new individuals, such as seeds, bulbs, runners and cuttings,