Ecosystems and the Hydrologic Cycle

Flashcards based on key concepts from the lecture notes on estuaries and the hydrologic cycle.

What are some characteristics of estuaries in marine ecosystems?

Estuaries vary with depth, temperature, and salinity.

Which biomes have the highest primary productivity and biodiversity?

Coral reefs and estuaries.

Why are nitrogen and phosphorus nutrient amounts greater along coastlines?

Due to runoff into rivers and eventually estuaries.

What role does upwelling play in marine ecosystems?

It brings nutrients from the depths of the ocean to the surface for phytoplankton.

What happens to biomass when organisms die in marine ecosystems?

The biomass sinks to the bottom of the ocean where decomposers utilize the nutrients.

What is secondary productivity, and where can it be high?

Secondary productivity can be high in cold water where there is an increase of dissolved oxygen.

What is the hydrologic cycle?

The movement of water in its various phases (solid, liquid, gaseous) between sources and sinks.

How does the hydrologic cycle affect ecosystems?

It helps stabilize and regulate the flow of matter through ecosystems.

How do human activities affect the hydrologic cycle?

Human activity frequently disrupts the natural cycling of water.

What is the primary reservoir of water on Earth?

Oceans (saltwater).

What processes are driven by the sun in the hydrologic cycle?

Precipitation, evaporation, evapotranspiration, condensation, fog drip, surface runoff, deposition, dew, sublimation, snow melt runoff, groundwater recharge and flow.

What are some vital freshwater reservoirs besides oceans?

Ice caps and groundwater reserves.

Give examples of places where water is stored according to the hydrologic cycle.

Ice, snow, glaciers, rivers, soil moisture, springs, groundwater storage, wetlands.