Ecosystem
A particular location on Earth distinguished by its mix of interacting biotic and abiotic components
Producers/Autotrophs
An organism that uses the energy of the Sun to produce usable forms of energy
Photosynthesis
The process by which producers use solar energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose
Cellular Respiration
The process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water
Consumers/Heterotrophs
An organism that must obtain its energy by consuming other organisms
Primary Consumers/Secondary Consumers/Tertiary Consumers
An individual incapable of photosynthesis;must obtain energy by consuming other organisms/A carnivore that eats primary consumers/A carnivore that eats secondary consumers
Trophic Level
Levels in the feeding structure of organisms. Higher trophic levels consume organisms from lower levels
Food Chain
The sequence of consumption from producers through tertiary consumers
Food Web
A complex model of how energy and matter move between trophic levels
Scavengers
A carnivore that consumes dead animals
Detritivores
An organism that specializes in breaking down dead tissues and waste products into smaller particles
Decomposers
Fungi or bacteria that recycle nutrients from dead tissues and wastes back into an ecosystem
GPP (Gross Primary Productivity)
The total amount of solar energy that producers in an ecosystem capture via photosynthesis over a given amount of time
NPP (Net Primary Productivity)
The energy captured by producers in an ecosystem minus the energy producers respire
Biomass
The total mass of all living matter in a specific area
Standing Crop
The amount of biomass present in an ecosystem at a particular time
Ecological Efficiency
The proportion of consumed energy that can be passed from one trophic level to another
Trophic Pyramid
A representation of the distribution of biomass, numbers, or energy among trophic levels
Biosphere
The region of our planet where life resides, the combination of all ecosystems on Earth
Biogeochemical Cycles
The movements of matter within and between ecosystems
Hydrologic Cycle
The movement of water through the biosphere
Transpiration/Evapotranspiration
The release of water from leaves during photosynthesis/The combined amount of evaporation and transpiration
Runoff
Water that moves across the land surface and into streams and rivers
Macronutrients
The six key elements that organisms need in relatively large amounts: nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur
Limiting Nutrient
A nutrient required for the growth of an organism but available in a lower quantity than other nutrients
Nitrogen Fixation
A process by which some organisms can convert nitrogen gas molecules directly to ammonia
Leaching
The transportation of dissolved molecules through the soil via groundwater
Watershed
All land in a given landscape that drains into a particular stream, river, lake, or wetland
Resistance
A measure of how much a disturbance can affect flows of energy and matter in an ecosystem
Resilience
The rate at which an ecosystem returns to its original state after a disturbance
Restoration Ecology
The study and implementation of restoring damaged ecosystems
Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis
The hypothesis that ecosystems experiencing intermediate levels of disturbance are more diverse that those with high or low disturbance levels
Instrumental Value
Something that has worth as an instrument or a tool that can be used to accomplish a goal
Intrinsic Value
Has worth independent of any benefit it may provide to humans
Provisions
A good that humans can use directly