Species Diversity & Energy Flow

A set of 50 vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts related to species diversity and energy flow in ecosystems.

Species Diversity

A measure of community complexity based on the number of species and their abundance.

Community Structure

The composition and arrangement of species within a community.

Dominant Species

Species that are most abundant or have the highest biomass in a community.

Keystone Species

Species that have a disproportionately large effect on their environment relative to their abundance.

Succession

The process by which communities change over time.

Primary Succession

Succession that occurs in an area devoid of soil or life.

Secondary Succession

Succession that occurs in areas where soil remains after a disturbance.

Species Richness

The number of different species represented in a community.

Species Evenness

The relative abundance of different species in a community.

Diversity Indices

Mathematical measures used to quantify the biodiversity in a community.

Gross Primary Productivity (GPP)

The total amount of chemical energy produced in an area over a given time period.

Net Primary Productivity (NPP)

The amount of chemical energy available to consumers after accounting for energy lost through respiration.

Autotrophs

Organisms that produce their own food from sunlight or chemical energy.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that obtain energy by consuming other living organisms.

Trophic Levels

The hierarchical levels in an ecosystem, consisting of producers, consumers, and decomposers.

Bioaccumulation

The increase in concentration of pollutants in an organism over time.

Biomagnification

The increase in concentration of pollutants in organisms at higher trophic levels.

Decomposers

Organisms that obtain energy by breaking down dead organic material.

Detritivores

Organisms that feed on detritus, or dead plant and animal matter.

Chemical energy

Energy stored in the bonds of chemical compounds, important for fueling life processes.

Energy Flow

The transfer of energy through a food chain from primary producers to various consumer levels.

Trophic Cascade

When the effects of top predators trickle down through the food web, affecting lower trophic levels.

Bottom-up Control

When the abundance of lower trophic levels influences the structure of higher levels.

Top-down Control

When the presence or absence of top predators affects the structure of lower trophic levels.

Cellular Respiration

The process by which cells convert sugars into energy (ATP) for biological functions.

Heat Loss

Energy that is dissipated as heat during metabolism and energy transfer through trophic levels.

Temperature

A factor that influences photosynthetic rates and, subsequently, ecosystem productivity.

Nutrient Availability

The presence of essential nutrients required for plant growth and productivity.

Photosynthesis

The process by which primary producers convert solar energy into chemical energy stored in sugars.

Abundance

The total number of individuals of a species in a given area.

Community Complexity

The interplay of species richness and evenness characterizing a community.

Ecosystem Functioning

The interrelated processes of energy flow and nutrient cycling within an ecosystem.

Ecotones

Transitional zones between two different ecological communities.

Trophic Efficiency

The percentage of energy transferred between trophic levels.

Producers

Organisms that create organic compounds from carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.

Consumers

Organisms that cannot produce their own food and must obtain energy by eating other organisms.

Biotic Reservoirs

Living components of an ecosystem where energy and nutrients are stored.

Abiotic Reservoirs

Non-living components of an ecosystem where energy and nutrients are stored.

Carbon Cycle

The series of processes by which carbon compounds are interconverted in the environment.

Nitrogen Cycle

The series of processes by which nitrogen and its compounds are interconverted in the environment.

Phosphorus Cycle

The cycle in which phosphorus is transferred from rocks to soil and into living organisms.

Ecosystem Services

The benefits that humans derive from healthy ecosystems, including clean air, water, and pollination.

Algal Blooms

Rapid growth of algae in water systems, often due to nutrient overload.

Oceanic Zones

Different regions of the ocean that support various habitats and organisms.

Freshwater Ecosystems

Natural environments that consist of freshwater bodies such as lakes, rivers, and wetlands.

Terrestrial Ecosystems

Land-based ecosystems including forests, grasslands, and deserts.