Energy Flow in Ecosystems
This term describes organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis
What is autotrophs (producers)?
This cycle involves the movement of water through the atmosphere, biosphere, and geosphere
What is Water cycle?
Excessive burning of fossil fuels contributes to this long term warning trend.
What is climate change / global warming?
This type of resource can be replenished on a human timescale
What is Renewable Resource?
This term describes the number of different species in an ecosystem
What is Biodiversity?
The amount of energy passed from one trophic level to the next is about what percent?
What is 10%?
Nitrogen fixation is primarily carried out by these organisms
What is Nitrogen -Fixing Bacteria?
This is a major source of non-point water pollution from agriculture
What is Fertilizer runoff?
This fossil fuel is formed from ancient marine organisms and is used for electricity and fuel
What is Petroleum (or Oil)?
When a species is removed from an ecosystem and its causes a collapse, it is likely this type of species.
What is Keystone Species?
These organisms break down dead matter and recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem
What is Decomposers?
Carbon is returned to the atmosphere by this process in both plants and animals.
What is Cellular Respiration?
The increase in atmospheric CO2 contributes to this effect in Earths atmosphere
What is Greenhouse Affect?
Wind turbines convert this type of energy into electrical energy
What is Kinetic Energy?
This growth model shows rapid increase when resources are unlimited
What is Exponential growth?
this term is for the total amount of energy captured by producers in an ecosystem before any is used for their own respiration
What is GPP (gross primary productivity)?
This cycle involves the weathering of rocks to release a nutrient essential for DNA and ATP
What is Phosphorus Cycle?
This term describes the impact an individual or population has on the environment
What is Ecological Footprint?
This term refers to using resources in a way that doesn't deplete them for future generations
What is sustainability?
These are limiting factors that depend on population size, such as disease or competition
What is Density dependent factors?
This rule explains that energy moves through a system, some is lost as heat.
What is Second law of thermodynamics?
This greenhouse gas is released during decomposition, combustion, and respiration.
What is Carbon Dioxide (CO2)?
This phenomenon describes the warming of the earth due to trapped infrared radiation
What is enhanced greenhouse effect?
A major disadvantage of solar energy is its dependence on what environmental factor
What is sunlight (weather/ solar radiation availability)?
This refers to the total number of individuals of a species that an environment can support sustainability
What is Carrying Capacity?