APES unit 1

Biogeochemical Cycles

The movement of abiotic factors between the living and nonliving components within ecosystems; also known as nutrient cycles.

Water Cycle

The continuous movement of water through evaporation, condensation, precipitation, runoff, transpiration, and infiltration.

Condensation

The change of state from a gas to a liquid.

Run off

The draining away of water (or substances carried in it) from the surface of land or structures.

Transpiration

Evaporation of water from the leaves of a plant.

Infiltration

Flow of water from the land surface into the subsurface.

Carbon Cycle

The organic circulation of carbon from the atmosphere into organisms and back again.

Nitrogen Cycle

The transfer of nitrogen from the atmosphere to the soil, to living organisms, and back to the atmosphere.

Phosphorus Cycle

The movement of phosphorus atoms from rocks through the biosphere and hydrosphere and back to rocks.

Sulfur Cycle

Cyclic movement of sulfur in various chemical forms from the environment to organisms and back.

Areas of water storage

Atmosphere, surface water, ground water, and living things.

Abiotic Factors

Nonliving components of the environment.

Biotic Factors

All the living organisms that inhabit an environment.

Habitat

Where an organism lives and any aspect of the location.

Niche

Full range of physical and biological conditions in which an organism lives and how it uses those conditions.

Organism

Any form of life belonging to any of the 6 kingdoms.

Species

Group of organisms of the same type that can reproduce to have fertile offspring.

Population

A group of individuals that belong to the same species and live in the same area.

Ecosystem

A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

Producers/Autotrophs

Organisms that make their own food from compounds and energy obtained from the environment.

Photosynthesis

Conversion of light energy from the sun into chemical energy.

Salinity

A measure of the amount of dissolved salts in a given amount of liquid.

Plankton

Small, weakly-swimming, free-floating organisms.

Decomposers

Organisms that break down the dead remains of other organisms.

Phytoplankton

Photosynthetic algae found near the surface of the ocean.

Euphotic Zone

Surface layer where photosynthesis is usually confined.

Nutrient abundance

Nutrients are found in abundance in shallow and cold waters.

Coral Reef

The most diverse marine biome on Earth, found in warm, shallow waters.

Cultural Eutrophication

Accelerated eutrophication of lakes due to human inputs of nutrients.

Watershed

The area of land that is drained by a water system.

Freshwater Ecosystems

Impacted by dams, pollutants, and habitat destruction.

Biome

A group of ecosystems that share similar climates and typical organisms.

Climatograms

Charts used to understand climate by examining average temperature and precipitation.

Desert

An area where evaporation exceeds precipitation and has little vegetation.

Grasslands

Interiors of continents in areas too moist for deserts and too dry for forests.

Savanna

Warm temperatures year-round with alternating wet and long dry seasons.

Tundra

Treeless biome characterized by cold winters and short growing seasons.

Tropical Rainforest

Found around the equator with dense canopies and warm, wet conditions.

Temperate Deciduous Forest

Forest characterized by trees that drop their leaves annually.

Taiga (Boreal Forest)

Subarctic forest dominated by coniferous evergreen trees.

Chemosynthesis

Using geothermal energy to convert inorganic compounds into carbohydrates.

Consumers

Organisms that obtain energy and nutrients by feeding on others.

Parasitism

A relationship where one organism benefits and the other is harmed.

Mutualism

A relationship where both species benefit.

Commensalism

A relationship where one organism benefits and the other is unaffected.

Intraspecific competition

Competition among members of the same species.

Interspecific Competition

Competition between members of different species.

Resource Partitioning

When competing species evolve specialized traits to share resources.

Phosphorus cycle

It does not include a gas phase, differentiating it from other biogeochemical cycles.

Predator Adaptations

Camouflage, speed, packs, and acute senses for hunting.

Prey Adaptations

Retreat, camouflage, and mimicry to avoid predation.

Biome Determinants

Temperature and precipitation determine the type of biome.

Coral bleaching

A phenomenon where algae inside corals die, causing corals to turn white.

Threats to Coral Reefs

Overfishing, pollution, and invasive species threatening coral habitats.

Net Primary Productivity (NPP)

The amount of energy available after producers' respiration.

Food Chain

A series of steps where organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten.

Food web

A community of organisms with interrelated food chains.

Trophic Levels Limitations

Decrease in energy availability limits the number of trophic levels.

Ecological Efficiency

Percentage of energy transferred from one trophic level to another.

Biomass

The total dry mass of organisms within a specific region.

Pyramid of Energy

Shows the total amount of energy available at each trophic level.

Biomass Pyramid

Diagram representing biomass in each trophic level.

Gross Primary Productivity (GPP)

Total solar energy captured by producers via photosynthesis.

Fresh Water Biomes

Includes ponds, lakes, streams, and rivers.

Ocean

A major storage reservoir of carbon.

Primary Producer Function

Photosynthesis primarily manufactures glucose.

Role of Dead Trees

Providing habitats for wildlife in forest ecosystems.

10% Rule

Only 10% of energy at each trophic level is available to the next level.

Nitrogen

Most abundant gas in the atmosphere.

Phosphorus Reservoirs

Sedimentary rocks from ancient oceans.

Carbon Cycle Processes

Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are key processes.

Source of Energy for Terrestrial Ecosystems

The sun.

Tropical Rain Forest Soil

Quickly depleted of nutrients when the forest is removed.

Competitive Exclusion

Strong competition can lead to the local elimination of one species.

Rain Forest Locations

Brazil and Indonesia contain the greatest area of rain forests.

Bacteria in Soil Role

Responsible for fixing atmospheric nitrogen for biological use.

Photosynthesis Efficiency

Approximately 1% efficiency in converting light energy to chemical energy.

Resource Partitioning Example

Division of resources allowing coexisting species to use different parts.