C4.2 Transfers of Energy and Matter

fluxes

processes or exchange of carbon in the Carbon cycle

sinks

where carbon is stored or locked in

sources

where carbon is released back into the atmosphere

fossil fuels

derived from ancient organic matter that has been buried and transformed over millions of years

Keeling curve

graphical representation of CO2 concentration in the atmosphere over time

greenhouse effect

process by which radiation from a planet’s atmosphere warms the planet’s surface to a temperature above what it should be

shortwave radiation

emitted from the sun; UV, visible, and infrared wavelengths

longwave radiation

emitted from the Earth; infrared only

law of thermodynamics

energy cannot be destroyed/made, only transformed

food chains

sequence of relationships between trophic levels

trophic level

organism’s feeding position in a food chain

food webs

shows feeding relationships in a community

pyramids of energy

represent energy availability at each trophic level

biomass

total dry mass of a group of organisms in a specific area/volume

productivity

rate of biomass generation in an ecosystem

primary productivity

rate at which producers accumulate biomass

gross primary productivity

total amount of energy captured as biomass by primary producers

net primary production

energy available to consumers at higher trophic levels

secondary productivity

rate at which consumers accumulate carbon compounds as part of their own biomass

respiration, photosynthesis, combustion

processes that release CO2 back into the atmosphere