Ecosystem Interactions
A symbiotic relationship where both species are benefiting
What is mutualism?
The most diverse terrestrial biome, characterized by warm temperatures and a lot of precipitation
What is a tropical rainforest?
The bottom layer of sand and mud in both lakes and oceans
What is the benthic zone?
The process that starts the flow of energy in an ecosystem. Involves sunlight
What is Photosynthesis?
This biome is characterized by being hot, with two extreme dry and rainy seasons. Has an overall high productivity and is covered in grasses
What is grassland/savanna?
Competition between members of different species.
What is interspecific competition?
What is a climate graph/climatograph?
This biome acts is a mix of freshwater and saltwater. Usually is found where rivers open out into the ocean
What is an estuary?
When going through a food chain, only a small amount of energy is sent up to the next level. This amount is
What is 10%
This type of aquatic biome is extremely productive, often called the "rainforest of the ocean". Usually found close to shore in shallow, warm water
What is a coral reef?
The role or "job" an organism plays in it's ecosystem
What is niche?
The organisms in this biome have adaptations such as storing water, being nocturnal, or living underground, all due to the climate
What is a desert?
The top layer of the open ocean. Similar to the littoral zone of a lake
What is the euphotic zone?
The TOTAL amount of energy produced in an ecosystem, before any deductions from respiration
What is Gross Primary Productivity (GPP)?
The zone of deep, cold water in a lake. Not very productive
What is the profundal zone?
The idea that organisms will purposefully change their behavior to avoid competing for the same resource at the same time (think about how an owl is nocturnal, but hawks are not, and they both eat the same stuff)
What is resource partitioning?
This biome is characterized by cold temperatures and little precipitation. Very flat with low-growing plants
What is a tundra?
Unlike a terrestrial biome, climate is not the be-all-end-all factor. Instead, it's this, and it determines what plants, if any, can grow in the water
What is Depth?
The energy available for use by consumers and other parts of the ecosystem, after respiration is taken into account
What is Net Primary Production (NPP)?
This is the zone of a lake right next to the shoreline. Because you can actually have normal plants grow here, biodiversity and productivity are higher than out in open water
What is the littoral zone?
A species, usually a predator, that is extremely important for keeping other populations in the ecosystem in check. The wolves living in Yellowstone are a good example
What is a keystone species?
The single most important factor that influences how a terrestrial biome takes shape. Determines the plants that grow there, and has two components
What is climate?
The microscopic producers that perform photosynthesis. Especially important in oceans and lakes, because normal plants can't grow
What are Phytoplankton?
In a forest nearby, a specific tree produced 600J of energy from photosynthesis. However, 60% of that was spent on respiration, photosynthesis, etc.
How much is left over for other consumers to take advantage of?
What is 240J?
Process opposite to Photosynthesis. This is how consumers acquire their energy, using ATP
What is cellular respiration?