Ecology and Environmental Science Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key aquatic zones, ecosystem productivity terms, cellular processes, and biogeochemical cycles from the lecture notes.

Cellular respiration

The process by which cells unlock the energy of chemical compounds.

Littoral zone

The shallow area of soil and water in lakes and ponds where most algae and emergent plants grow.

Limnetic zone

A zone of open water in lakes and ponds.

Phytoplankton

Floating algae.

Profundal zone

A region of water where sunlight does not reach, below the limnetic zone in very deep lakes.

Benthic zone

The muddy bottom of a lake, pond, or ocean.

Oligotrophic

Describes a lake with a low level of productivity.

Mesotrophic

Describes a lake with a moderate level of productivity.

Eutrophic

Describes a lake with a high level of productivity.

Photic zone

The upper layer of ocean water that receives sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis.

Aphotic zone

The deeper layer of ocean water that lacks sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis.

GPP

The total amount of solar energy that producers in an ecosystem capture via photosynthesis over a given period of time.

Phosphorus cycle

The movement of phosphorus through the biosphere.

Oligotrophic

Describes a lake with a low level of productivity.

Mesotrophic

Describes a lake with a moderate level of productivity.

Eutrophic

Describes a lake with a high level of productivity.

Photic zone

The upper layer of ocean water that receives sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis.

Aphotic zone

The deeper layer of ocean water that lacks sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis.

Chemosynthesis

The process by which some producers use chemical energy in inorganic compounds rather than sunlight to produce carbohydrates.