All flashcards
Flashcard 1: What is the significance of the compensation point in photosynthesis?
Answer: Where photosynthesis equals respiration. Light intensity balances photosynthesis and respiration rates.
Flashcard 2: State the equation representing primary productivity in terms of biomass.
Answer: Productivity = Biomass gain - Biomass loss. Net growth represents successful energy conversion to biomass.
Flashcard 3: State the formula for calculating Gross Primary Productivity (GPP).
Answer: GPP = NPP + R. Gross productivity equals net productivity plus respiration costs.
Flashcard 4: What is the primary source of energy for primary productivity?
Answer: Sunlight. Solar radiation provides energy for photosynthetic processes.
Flashcard 5: Which type of ecosystem typically exhibits the lowest primary productivity?
Answer: Deserts. Limited water and extreme temperatures restrict plant growth.
Flashcard 6: How does soil fertility impact primary productivity in terrestrial ecosystems?
Answer: Higher fertility enhances productivity. Rich soils provide essential nutrients for plant growth.
Flashcard 7: Which factor is a limiting factor for primary productivity in freshwater lakes?
Answer: Phosphorus. Essential nutrient often limiting algal growth in freshwater.
Flashcard 8: What is the typical method for estimating aquatic primary productivity?
Answer: Measuring oxygen production or carbon uptake. Direct measurement of photosynthetic gas exchange rates.
Flashcard 9: State the primary productivity formula in terms of energy.
Answer: Productivity = Energy captured - Energy respired. Net energy available after accounting for metabolic costs.
Flashcard 10: What limits primary productivity in deep ocean zones?
Answer: Lack of sunlight. Light cannot penetrate to support photosynthesis at depth.
Flashcard 11: Define Gross Primary Productivity (GPP).
Answer: Total amount of energy captured by producers. All energy captured before any metabolic costs are subtracted.
Flashcard 12: Which factors most directly affect primary productivity in aquatic ecosystems?
Answer: Light availability and nutrient concentration. These factors control photosynthesis rates in water ecosystems.
Flashcard 13: What is the significance of the compensation point in photosynthesis?
Answer: Where photosynthesis equals respiration. Light intensity balances photosynthesis and respiration rates.
Flashcard 14: What is the role of producers in an ecosystem's energy flow?
Answer: Convert solar energy into chemical energy. Primary producers capture and store energy for ecosystem use.
Flashcard 15: What is the unit commonly used for measuring primary productivity?
Answer: gC/m²/yr (grams of carbon per square meter per year). Standard unit measures carbon fixed per area per time.
Flashcard 16: How is primary productivity measured in terrestrial ecosystems?
Answer: By plant biomass accumulation. Growth represents successful energy conversion to organic matter.
Flashcard 17: What is the effect of increased carbon dioxide on primary productivity?
Answer: Can increase productivity by enhancing photosynthesis. More CO2 provides additional substrate for photosynthesis.
Flashcard 18: Define Net Primary Productivity (NPP).
Answer: Energy remaining after respiration by producers. Available energy after plants use some for their own metabolism.
Flashcard 19: State the formula for calculating Gross Primary Productivity (GPP).
Answer: GPP = NPP + R. Gross productivity equals net productivity plus respiration costs.
Flashcard 20: Why is primary productivity important for ecosystems?
Answer: Provides energy base for food webs. Producers form the foundation supporting all other trophic levels.
Flashcard 21: What does NPP stand for in the context of primary productivity?
Answer: Net Primary Productivity. Energy available to consumers after producer respiration losses.
Flashcard 22: What is the definition of primary productivity?
Answer: Rate at which energy is converted by photosynthetic organisms. Energy conversion drives all food webs and ecosystem functions.
Flashcard 23: What is the relationship between biodiversity and primary productivity?
Answer: Higher biodiversity can increase productivity. More species can utilize resources more efficiently.
Flashcard 24: How does increased turbidity affect aquatic primary productivity?
Answer: Reduces light penetration, decreasing productivity. Cloudy water blocks light needed for photosynthesis.
Flashcard 25: Which biome typically has the highest primary productivity?
Answer: Tropical rainforests. Optimal light, temperature, and water conditions maximize production.
Flashcard 26: Identify the term for ecosystems with low primary productivity.
Answer: Oligotrophic. Nutrient-poor environments with limited producer growth.
Flashcard 27: How does nutrient availability affect primary productivity?
Answer: More nutrients generally increase productivity. Essential elements enable protein and chlorophyll synthesis.
Flashcard 28: Identify the main photosynthetic pigment involved in primary productivity.
Answer: Chlorophyll. Primary pigment essential for capturing light energy.
Flashcard 29: What is the effect of deforestation on primary productivity?
Answer: Decreases productivity by removing producers. Loss of photosynthetic biomass reduces energy capture capacity.
Flashcard 30: What is the typical fate of energy not used in primary productivity?
Answer: Lost as heat or used in respiration. Energy not converted to biomass is dissipated or consumed.