Ecology Chapter 2.5-2.6 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

Define the terms and calculate the values of both gross primary productivity (GPP) and net primary productivity (NPP) from given data.

Gross Primary Productivity: Total gain in energy or biomass by photosynthesis. Net Primary Productivity: Total gain after respiratory loss. Use NPP = GPP - R.

Define the terms and calculate the values of both gross secondary productivity (GSP) and net secondary productivity (NSP) from given data.

Gross Secondary Productivity: Total gain by consumers in energy or biomass through absorption. Net Secondary Productivity: Gain remaining after respiratory losses. Use NSP = GSP - R and GSP = food eaten - fecal loss.

What are producers?

Organisms that use sunlight energy to create food, called Photoautotrophs.

What is a consumer?

They eat other organisms to obtain energy, such as herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores. Signup and view all the answers

What are decomposers?

Organisms that obtain energy from the breakdown of dead organic matter. Signup and view all the answers

The photosynthesis reaction is represented as __________.

6CO2 + 6H2O + light = C6H12O6 + 6O2 Signup and view all the answers

Describe the process of photosynthesis.

1.) Chlorophyll traps sunlight energy 2.) Energy splits water molecule 3.) Hydrogen combines with CO2 4.) Glucose is produced. Signup and view all the answers

The respiration reaction is represented as __________.

C6H12O6 + 6O2 = 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy Signup and view all the answers

What is the water cycle?

Water is absorbed by roots, used in photosynthesis, lost through transpiration, and returns to the atmosphere through evaporation and precipitation. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the carbon cycle.

1.) Carbon dioxide is fixed by autotrophs 2.) Decomposers return carbon after organisms die 3.) Organic matter can become fossil fuels. Signup and view all the answers

Identify the key players in nitrogen fixation.

Legumes and the symbiotic bacteria associated with their root nodules. Signup and view all the answers

What is the phosphorus cycle?

Involves the absorption of phosphate ions from rocks by plants, which is incorporated into DNA and returned to the soil upon decay. Signup and view all the answers

Define gross productivity.

Total gain in energy or biomass per unit area per unit time, via photosynthesis or absorption. Signup and view all the answers

Define net productivity.

Gain in energy or biomass per unit area per unit time after respiratory losses. Signup and view all the answers

What are limiting factors?

Environmental factors that limit the distribution or numbers of a population. Signup and view all the answers

Provide examples of limiting factors.

Temperature, water, nutrient availability, carrying capacity. Signup and view all the answers

What is carrying capacity?

The number of organisms or size of population that an area can sustainably support. Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of tolerance suggest?

There are optimal levels of environmental factors for species survival. Signup and view all the answers

List factors that affect carrying capacity.

Competition, catastrophes, immigration/emigration, seasonal fluctuations. Signup and view all the answers

What is an S-population curve?

A curve representing three phases: exponential growth, transitional phase, plateau. Signup and view all the answers

What is a J-population curve?

A curve that shows exponential growth without slowing down. Signup and view all the answers

What are density-dependent factors?

Factors that affect birth and death rates as population size changes. Signup and view all the answers

Give examples of density-dependent factors.

Resources, space, disease, parasitism, predation. Signup and view all the answers

What are density-independent factors?

Factors that influence population regardless of its size. Signup and view all the answers

Examples of density-independent factors include __________.

Natural disasters, long-term climate change. Signup and view all the answers

What internal factors include?

Density-dependent fertility and size of breeding territory. Signup and view all the answers

What external factors include?

Predation and disease. Signup and view all the answers

What are physical environmental factors?

Water and nutrient availability, temperature. Signup and view all the answers

What are biological environmental factors?

Predation and competition. Signup and view all the answers

Define K-strategist species.

Species that grow slowly, produce few large offspring, and invest significantly in parental care. Signup and view all the answers

Define R-strategist species.

Species that grow quickly, produce many small offspring, and invest little in parental care. Signup and view all the answers

What does a K-strategist survivorship curve illustrate?

Most individuals survive to potential lifespan and die almost simultaneously. Signup and view all the answers

What does an R-strategist survivorship curve illustrate?

Most die at a young age, but survivors can live long. Signup and view all the answers

What is succession?

Orderly process of change in a community over time. Signup and view all the answers

What is primary succession?

Succession on previously uncolonized substrate. Signup and view all the answers

What is secondary succession?

Begins on soil from which a previous community has been removed. Signup and view all the answers

What is a pioneer community?

The earliest seral stage with low gross productivity and high net productivity. Signup and view all the answers

What is a climax community?

The final seral stage with high gross productivity and near-zero net productivity. Signup and view all the answers

Define ecological energetic.

The study of energy flow and storage in food chains and webs. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Gross and Net Primary Productivity

Gross Primary Productivity (GPP): Total energy or biomass produced by photosynthesis in plants per unit area per unit time.
Net Primary Productivity (NPP): Energy or biomass remaining after deducting respiratory losses from GPP, calculated using NPP = GPP - R.

Gross and Net Secondary Productivity

Gross Secondary Productivity (GSP): Total energy gained by consumers through absorption per unit area per unit time, calculated as GSP = food eaten - fecal loss.
Net Secondary Productivity (NSP): Energy or biomass remaining for growth and reproduction after respiratory losses, calculated using NSP = GSP - R.

Organism Roles in Ecosystems

Producers: Organisms, specifically photoautotrophs, that convert sunlight into food through photosynthesis.
Consumers: Organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms; includes herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores.
Decomposers: Organisms that break down dead organic matter, essential for recycling nutrients like nitrogen through processes involving ammonia and nitrates.

Photosynthesis and Respiration

Photosynthesis Reaction: 6CO2 + 6H2O + light → C6H12O6 + 6O2; transforms light energy into chemical energy.
Process of Photosynthesis: Involves chlorophyll absorbing sunlight, splitting water molecules, combining hydrogen with CO2, and producing glucose.
Respiration Reaction: C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy; transforms chemical energy into heat during cellular processes.

Water, Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus Cycles

Water Cycle: Involves absorption by plant roots, transpiration, condensation into clouds, precipitation, and eventual return to oceans.
Carbon Cycle: Carbon fixation by autotrophs and its return to the atmosphere through respiration and decomposition; fossil fuel formation from organic matter.
Nitrogen Cycle: Key processes include nitrogen fixation by bacteria, nitrification, and denitrification, facilitating nitrogen uptake by plants.
Phosphorus Cycle: Minerals released from rocks, uptake by plants, cycling through organisms, and return to soil after decay.

Productivity Concepts

Gross Productivity: Total energy or biomass gain per unit area per unit time.
Net Productivity: Energy or biomass left post-respiratory losses.

Population Dynamics

Limiting Factors: Environmental elements that restrict population growth; include temperature, water, nutrient availability, and carrying capacity.
Carrying Capacity: Sustainable population size an ecosystem can support over time.
S-Population Curve: Characterized by exponential growth, slowing transition, and stabilization at carrying capacity.
J-Population Curve: Exhibits continual exponential growth without stabilization.

Density-Dependent and Density-Independent Factors

Density-Dependent Factors: Affect birth/death rates based on population size; include resources and disease.
Density-Independent Factors: Impact populations regardless of density; include natural disasters and climate change.

Strategies and Survivorship Curves

K-strategists: Species that mature slowly, produce few large offspring, and invest heavily in parental care, often found in stable environments (Type I survivorship curve).
R-strategists: Species that mature quickly, produce many small offspring with low parental investment, typically found in unstable environments (Type III survivorship curve).

Succession in Ecosystems

Succession: Progressive change in community structures over time, classified into primary and secondary succession.
Primary Succession: Occurs on uncolonized substrates, like bare rock.
Secondary Succession: Follows the removal of a previous community, such as after fire or agriculture.

Community Dynamics

Pioneer Community: Early seral stage with low productivity and accumulating biomass.
Climax Community: Final stage with high productivity yet low net productivity, typically reaching a balance between production and respiration.

Ecological Energetics

Study of Energy Flow: Focuses on how solar energy drives ecosystems; involves energy transfer, storage, and nutrient recycling.

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Test your knowledge on gross primary productivity (GPP) and net primary productivity (NPP) with these flashcards. Define the terms and calculate their values based on given data. Perfect for anyone studying ecology or environmental science.