ESS

Dichotomous keys

Tools used for identifying unknown organisms by answering a series of questions that lead to the correct name.

Biomes

Large ecological areas on the earth's surface with flora and fauna adapting to their environment.

Biogeochemical Cycles

Processes that transfer nutrients and energy through the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere.

Diversity

The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Ecosystem Services

Benefits provided by ecosystems to humans, including clean water, pollination, and decomposition.

Adaptations

Traits that increase an organism's chance of survival and reproduction in its environment.

Founder Effect

A phenomenon where a small group from a population colonizes a new area, leading to reduced genetic variation.

Bottleneck Effect

A sharp reduction in the size of a population due to environmental events or human activities, leading to decreased genetic diversity.

Biogeography

The study of the distribution of species and ecosystems in geographic space and through geological time.

GPP (Gross Primary Production)

The total amount of organic matter produced by photosynthesis in an ecosystem.

NPP (Net Primary Production)

The rate of production of biomass after accounting for the energy used in respiration by primary producers.

Trophic levels

The hierarchical levels in an ecosystem, consisting of producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and so on.

10% rule

The ecological principle that only about 10% of the energy is passed from one trophic level to the next in a food chain.

How do you find GPP (Gross Primary Production)?

GPP=NPP+R where NPP is the Net Primary Production and R is the energy lost by primary producers due to respiration.

How do you find NPP (Net Primary Production)?

NPP=GPP−R where GPP is the Gross Primary Production (total organic matter produced by photosynthesis) and R is the energy lost by primary producers due to respiration.