Productivity and population ecology

Productivity

The rate at which energy is generated and stored in ecosystems over a period of time

Gross Primary Production (GPP)

total amount of energy (measured as carbon) fixed by all autotrophs per unit of time and area

Net Primary Production (NPP)

Energy remaining after autotrophs have met their own energetic needs.

Respiration

Intake of oxygen and release of carbon dioxide

distribution of productivity

Determined by sunlight, moisture, and nutrients. Productivity is highest closest to the equator and lowest at the poles.

Standing crop

A measure of the total amount of living organic matter in an ecosystem at any one time.

Global carbon cycle

Continuous exchange of carbon between the atmosphere, terrestrial sources, oceans, and the geosphere

Producers

Lowest level: plants, etc.

Primary consumers

Organisms that eat plants

secondary consumers

Eat primary consumers

population ecology

The study of organisms in relation to their environment

Biotic potential

The max possible rate of population growth under ideal conditions. Factors include age of reproductive maturity, litter size, frequency of reproduction, survival rate,etc