ecosystem

competition the struggle between organisms to survive in a habitat with limited resources
competitive exclusion principle The principle states that two species competing for the same limiting resource cannot coexist.
resource partitioning When two species divide a resource based on differences in their behavior or morphology.
low temperatures slow decomposition and growth
high temperature fast decomposition and growth
High Precipitation nutrients leached far into soil
low precipitation not enough water for plants
Tundra cold and treeless, with low-growing vegetation.
Boreal forest A forest biome made up primarily of coniferous evergreen trees that can tolerate cold winters and short growing seasons.
temperate rainforest Moderate mean annual temperatures and high precipitation that support the growth of huge trees.
Temperate seasonal forest (deciduous) A biome with warm summers and cold winters with over 1 m (39 inches) of precipitation annually.
Woodland/shrubland A biome characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters.
Temperate grassland/cold desert cold, harsh winters and hot, dry summers
Tropical rainforest A warm and wet biome with little seasonal temperature variation and high precipitation.
Tropical seasonal forest/savanna a biome marked by warm temperatures and distinct wet and dry seasons
subtropical desert Dry air, little water, lots of sun, hot weather.
Fresh water biomes (low salinity) ponds, lakes, streams, and rivers.
Marine biomes (high salinity) Salt marsh, mangrove swamp, internal zone, coral reefs, and open ocean.
brackish water biomes Estuary
photic zone Portion of the marine biome that is shallow enough for sunlight to penetrate.
Phytoplankton floating algae (produce food through photosynthesis)
aphotic zone The deeper layer of ocean water that lacks sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis
Carbon Reservoir Locations on Earth that store and release carbon slowly
Sinks of the carbon cycle Rock layers and soil - (largest overall supply) decayed plants, sediments (limestone), fossil fuels, coal
Deep oceans - shells, skeletons, deep ocean water
carbon source It releases more carbon into the atmosphere than it takes in. Respiration, Combustion of fossil fuels, Deforestation
Mineralization the process of breaking down organic compounds into inorganic compounds
Ammonification The process by which fungal and bacterial decomposers break down the organic nitrogen found in dead bodies and waste products and convert it into inorganic ammonium
Denitrification process by which bacteria convert nitrates into nitrogen gas
nitrogen main reservoir atmosphere but (land, water aswell)
phosphorus reservoirs sedimentary rocks, soil, oceans, organisms (land)
Human activity that affects water cycle Harvesting trees (increases runoff and percolation)
Paving (increases runoff)
Diverting water from one area to another ( drinking, irrigation, and industrial uses)
ecosystem productivity the amount of energy available in an ecosystem determines how much life the ecosystem can support
Highest ecosystem productivity Oceans have the highest NPP added all together
Estuaries have the highest NPP per square meter
net primary productivity equation NPP = GPP - R