All notes for Marine and Antarctic Ecosystems (copy)

Primary Production

The formation of organic matter through the trapping of light energy and the assimilation of inorganic elements, primarily via photosynthesis.

Productivity

The rate of net incorporation of carbon into organic compounds, ideally measured in kg of carbon fixed per m² per year.

Phytoplankton

Microscopic photoautotrophic organisms that perform photosynthesis and are primary producers in marine environments.

Gross Productivity

The total amount of carbon fixed by primary producers in a given area over a time period.

Net Primary Productivity (NPP)

The amount of carbon uptake after subtracting plant respiration from gross primary productivity.

Liebig’s Law of the Minimum

Growth is limited by the nutrient that is in the least supply relative to the organism's requirements.

Oligotrophic

Characterized by low nutrient concentrations and low primary productivity.

Eutrophic

Characterized by high nutrient concentrations and high rates of organic matter influx.

Haploidy

The state of being single (one) set of chromosomes, usually referred to in reference to gametes.

Diatoms

A group of microalgae characterized by their silica-based cell walls, important as primary producers in marine ecosystems.

Zooxanthellae

Symbiotic dinoflagellates living within coral tissues, crucial for coral's energy through photosynthesis.

Calvin Cycle

The set of light-independent reactions in photosynthesis that converts carbon dioxide into glucose using ATP and NADPH.

Eutrophication

The process through which water bodies receive excess nutrients that stimulate excessive plant growth, often leading to oxygen depletion.

Carbon Leakage

The process by which carbon is lost to the environment, often in the form of particulate organic carbon.

E_cosystem Engineers

Organisms that create, significantly modify, maintain or destroy a habitat.

Biogeochemical Cycles

The pathways by which chemical substances move through biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) compartments of Earth.

Trophic Cascade

An ecological phenomenon triggered by the addition or removal of top predators, leading to dramatic changes in ecosystem structure and nutrient cycling.

Turnover Rate

The rate at which organisms are replaced in a habitat, often influenced by environmental factors and competition.

Photosynthetic Unit (PSU)

The smallest functional unit in photosynthesis composed of pigments that capture light energy.

Redfield Ratio

The empirical formula for the stoichiometric ratio of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in phytoplankton and marine organic matter.

Benthic Ecosystems

Communities of organisms living on the ocean floor, influenced by sediment types, water depth, and nutritional input.

Biomass

The total mass of organisms in a given area or volume, used as an indicator of ecosystem productivity.

Primary Consumers

Organisms that consume primary producers; herbivores that rely directly on plants for energy.

Secondary Consumers

Organisms that eat primary consumers; typically carnivores that rely on herbivores for energy.

Tertiary Consumers

Organisms that feed on secondary consumers; often apex predators in their ecosystems.

Food Chain

A linear sequence of organisms through which nutrients and energy pass as one organism eats another.

Food Web

A complex network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem, showcasing multiple feeding relationships.

Energy Pyramid

A graphical representation showing the flow of energy through different trophic levels in an ecosystem.

Nutrient Cycling

The movement of nutrients through the biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with carbon dioxide and water.

Respiration

The metabolic process by which cells convert sugars and oxygen into energy, releasing carbon dioxide and water.

Ecological Footprint

A measure of human demand on Earth's ecosystems, expressed as the amount of land required to sustain that demand.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum population size of a species that an environment can sustain indefinitely, given available resources.

Population Dynamics

The study of changes in population size and composition over time, influenced by birth rates, death rates, immigration, and emigration.

Ecosystem Services

The benefits provided by ecosystems to humans, including provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural services.

Invasive Species

Non-native species that spread widely in a new habitat, often causing harm to native species and ecosystems.

Climate Change

Long-term alterations in temperature, precipitation, wind patterns, and other elements of the Earth's climate system.

Biodiversity Loss

The decline in the variety and variability of life forms on Earth, often caused by human activities and habitat destruction.

Autotrophs

Organisms that produce their own food using light or chemical energy, primarily through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that cannot produce their own food and rely on consuming other organisms for energy and nutrients.

Consumers

Organisms that obtain energy by feeding on other organisms, including herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores.

Decomposers

Organisms, such as fungi and bacteria, that break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil and completing the nutrient cycle.

Ecological Niche

The role and position a species has in its environment, including all interactions with biotic and abiotic factors.

Keystone Species

A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its ecosystem relative to its abundance, often maintaining the structure of the ecological community.

Biodiversity Hotspots

Regions with a significant amount of biodiversity that are under threat from human activities and require conservation efforts.

Population Density

The number of individuals of a species per unit area or volume, affecting competition for resources and living space.

Ecological Succession

The process through which ecosystems change and develop over time, progressing from simple to more complex communities.

Primary Succession

The ecological succession that occurs in an area where no soil exists, such as after a volcanic eruption or glacier retreat.

Secondary Succession

The ecological succession that occurs in an area that was previously inhabited but has undergone a disturbance, such as fire or flood.

Biogeography

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

Carrying Capacity

The maximum number of individuals in a species that an environment can support indefinitely without degrading the ecosystem.

Mutualism

A type of symbiotic relationship where both species benefit from the interaction, such as bees pollinating flowers.

Commensalism

A type of symbiotic relationship where one species benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed, such as barnacles on a whale.

Parasitism

A type of symbiotic relationship where one species (the parasite) benefits at the expense of the other (the host).

Habitat Restoration

The process of returning a degraded habitat to its original condition, often involving replanting and soil remediation.

Ecosystem Productivity

The rate at which plants and other photosynthetic organisms produce organic compounds in an ecosystem, often measured as biomass.

Nutrient Limitation

A condition where the lack of a key nutrient limits a plant's growth and productivity; commonly phosphorus and nitrogen in ecosystems.

Ecosystem Function

The natural processes and interactions that maintain ecosystem health and contribute to services provided to humans.

Tidal Zones

Areas in intertidal ecosystems that are affected by tides, affecting the distribution and abundance of organisms.

Coral Reefs

Marine ecosystems characterized by their high diversity and complex structures built by coral polyps, serving as crucial habitats for marine life.

Wetlands

Areas where water covers the soil or is present near the surface for part of the year, supporting diverse ecosystems and providing numerous ecological benefits.

Pollination

The transfer of pollen from male anthers to female stigmas in plants, crucial for reproduction and biodiversity in ecosystems.

Genetic Diversity

The variety of genetic information within a species, providing resilience against diseases and environmental changes.

Urban Ecology

The study of ecological processes in urban environments, examining how human-made areas interact with natural ecosystems.

Forest Ecosystems

Complex communities composed of trees and other vegetation, providing habitats, carbon sinks, and other ecosystem services.

Marine Ecosystems

Aquatic ecosystems found in oceanic and coastal environments, characterized by their unique organisms and ecological interactions.

Freshwater Ecosystems

Aquatic ecosystems located in freshwater bodies such as rivers, lakes, and ponds, hosting diverse flora and fauna.

Soil Composition

The mixture of organic matter, minerals, gases, liquids, and organisms that together supports plant life and affects ecosystem productivity.

Ecosystem Disruption

Disturbances caused by natural events or human activities that alter the structure and functioning of ecosystems.

Drought Effects

The impact of prolonged dry conditions on ecosystems, including reduced water availability and increased competition among species.

Invasive Species Management

Strategies and actions taken to control or eliminate invasive species that threaten local ecosystems and native biodiversity.

Carbon Sink

Natural systems that absorb more carbon than they release, such as forests and oceans, helping mitigate climate change.

Fisheries Management

The practice of regulating fish populations and their habitats to ensure sustainable fishing and health of aquatic ecosystems.

Ecotourism

Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local people while providing educational experiences.

Sustainable Development

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, integrating economic, social, and environmental goals.

Greenhouse Effect

The trapping of the sun's warmth in the planet's lower atmosphere due to greenhouse gases, contributing to global warming and climate change.

Renewable Resources

Natural resources that can be replenished naturally, such as solar energy, wind power, and sustainably managed forests.

Habitat Corridors

Land or water passages that connect separated habitats, allowing species to move and disperse more freely, enhancing biodiversity.

Ecosystem Indicators

Specific biological or physical parameters used to assess the health and integrity of an ecosystem, such as species diversity and water quality.

Sustainable Agriculture

Farming practices that aim to produce food while preserving environmental quality and ecosystems, often emphasizing biodiversity and soil health.

Renewable Energy

Energy derived from natural processes that are constantly replenished, including solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal energy.

Terrestrial Ecosystems

Ecosystems that are found on land, characterized by specific vegetation types, climate, and animal populations.

Aquatic Ecosystems

Ecosystems located in water environments, including freshwater and marine ecosystems, each with unique biodiversity and ecological functions.

Soil Erosion

The wearing away of topsoil due to wind, water, or human activity, leading to degradation of land and reduced agricultural productivity.

Forest Deforestation

The large-scale removal of trees or forests, often resulting in habitat loss, climate change, and biodiversity decline.

Urban Heat Island Effect

The phenomenon where urban areas experience higher temperatures than their rural surroundings due to human activities and altered land surfaces.

Waste Management

The collection, transport, processing or disposal, managing and monitoring of waste materials to reduce their impact on the environment.

Biosphere Reserves

Protected areas designated by UNESCO to promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

Carbon Credits

Permits that allow the holder to emit a certain amount of carbon dioxide, incentivizing emissions reductions and promoting carbon trading.

Climate Mitigation

Efforts to reduce or prevent emission of greenhouse gases, aiming to limit the magnitude of climate change.

Ecosystem-Based Management

An approach to managing human activities that seeks to minimize their impact on the environment while achieving sustainable resource use.