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Gross Primary Production

Total energy plants produce through photosynthesis.

Net Primary Production

Energy left over after plants use some for growth and survival (NPP = GPP - respiration).

10% Rule

Only 10% of energy is passed to the next trophic level in a food chain; the rest is lost as heat or waste.

Food Chain

A single path showing energy transfer (e.g., grass -> rabbit -> fox).

Food Web

Multiple interconnected food chains showing complex energy flow.

Competitive Exclusion Principle

Two species cannot occupy the same niche in a habitat.

Resource Partitioning

Species share resources by using them differently.

Mutualism

A symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit (e.g., bees and flowers).

Commensalism

A symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits while the other is unaffected (e.g., barnacles on whales).

Parasitism

A symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits and the other is harmed (e.g., ticks on animals).

Biomes Differentiation

Biomes differ by climate, precipitation, and dominant vegetation.

Tundra

A biome characterized by cold temperatures, no trees, and permafrost.

Desert

A biome characterized by low rainfall and can be hot or cold.

Rainforest

A biome characterized by warm temperatures, high rainfall, and high biodiversity.

Savanna

A biome characterized by grassland with scattered trees.

Hydrologic Cycle

The cycle of water movement: evaporation → condensation → precipitation → infiltration.

Carbon Cycle

Photosynthesis absorbs CO2; combustion and respiration release it.

Nitrogen Cycle

The cycle involving nitrogen fixation, assimilation, ammonification, nitrification, and denitrification.

Phosphorus Cycle

Weathering releases phosphorus into soil, is absorbed by plants, passed through food chains, and returned via decomposition.

Combustion

The burning of fuel for energy.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants turn sunlight into glucose and oxygen.

Decomposition

The breaking down of dead matter.

Carbon Sink

A natural reservoir that stores carbon (e.g., forests, oceans).

Nitrogen Fixation

The conversion of nitrogen gas into usable forms (e.g., ammonia).

Assimilation

The process by which plants absorb nutrients.

Denitrification

The process where bacteria convert nitrates back to nitrogen gas.

Infiltration

The process of water soaking into soil.

Transpiration

The process where water evaporates from plants.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in a particular ecosystem or on Earth.

Genetic Biodiversity

Differences in DNA within a species, crucial for survival and adaptation.

Species Biodiversity

The variety of species present in an ecosystem.

Ecosystem Biodiversity

The variety of ecosystems within a region.

Functional Biodiversity

The variety of roles species play in an ecosystem.

Ecosystem Services

The benefits that humans obtain from ecosystems, including provisioning and regulating services.

Primary Succession

A type of ecological succession that occurs in an area with no soil.

Secondary Succession

Ecological succession occurring in areas where soil exists but life was disturbed.

Island Biogeography

The study of biodiversity on islands; closer and larger islands have more biodiversity due to easier migration.

Bottleneck Effect

A sharp reduction in population size due to events like natural disasters, leading to reduced genetic diversity.

Keystone Species

A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment (e.g., wolves in Yellowstone).

Indicator Species

Species that indicate the health of an environment (e.g., frogs sensitive to pollution).

Pioneer Species

The first species to colonize disturbed areas (e.g., lichens on bare rock).

Density Dependent Limiting Factors

Factors whose effects increase as the population density increases (e.g., disease, competition).

Density Independent Limiting Factors

Factors that affect the population regardless of its size (e.g., natural disasters).

Specialist Species

Species with a narrow ecological niche and specific needs (e.g., koalas that eat only eucalyptus).

Generalist Species

Species with a broad niche and adaptable to various environments (e.g., rats).

Species Richness

The number of different species in a given area.

Species Evenness

The relative distribution of individuals among those species.

K-selected Species

Species that produce few offspring and provide high parental care (e.g., elephants).

R-selected Species

Species that produce many offspring with little parental care (e.g., frogs, insects).

Survivorship Curve Type I

Characterized by low early death rates, with most individuals living to old age (e.g., humans).

Survivorship Curve Type II

Characterized by a constant death rate throughout life (e.g., birds).

Survivorship Curve Type III

Characterized by high early death rates with few individuals surviving to old age (e.g., sea turtles).

Growth Rate Formula

Calculated as ((births - deaths)/total population) x 100.

Birth Rate Formula

Calculated as (number of births/total population) x 1000.

Doubling Time Formula

Calculated using the rule of 70 as Doubling time = 70/growth rate %.

Age Structure Pyramid Shape

Represents rapid population growth.

Age Structure Column Shape

Represents stable population growth.

Age Structure Inverted Pyramid Shape

Represents declining population.

Demographic Transition Model

Describes the transition from high birth/death rates to stabilized population.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum population size that an environment can sustain.

Fecundity

The reproductive capacity of an individual or population.

Total Fertility Rate

The average number of children a woman would have during her lifetime.