L10: The Biosphere
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what is the biosphere?
parts of the Earth system (atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, lithosphere) capable of supporting life
why is there enhanced primary production in the equatorial region?
because there is enhanced chlorophyll- product of photosynthesis
where is an example of the Earth with a low vegetation index?
North Africa
what is a marine desert?
an area with no or very little primary productivity
what is the order of the food chain? starting with primary producers and ending with tertiary consumers (include the trophic levels)
primary producers (photosynthesis) primary consumers (herbivores) secondary consumers (carnivores) tertiary consumers (top carnivores)
what does the word ‘trophic’ refer to?
the different levels within an ecosystem
what group do we have in the soil? and what role do they play?
decomposers- act on nutrients within the soil by breaking down organic materials e.g. plant matter and dead consumers
what are some examples of decomposers?
earthworms, bacteria, fungi
why are decomposers within the terrestrial ecosystem extremely important?
they make nutrients available for further plant growth
what are the trophic leevls within the marine enviroenmtn? starting with primary producers and ending wth top carnivores (include examples)
primary producers e.g. phytoplankton, seaweed (produce chlorophyll) herbivorous consumers e.g. zooplankton 1st level carnivorous consumers e.g. juvenile stages of fish and jellyfish, small fish 2nd level carnivorous consumers e.g. larger fish 3rd level carnivorous consumers e.g. squid top carnivores e.g. shark, dolphin
what does ‘phyto’ in phytoplankton refer to?
plant
what are coccolithophores and example of?
marine primary producers
what are coccolithophores?
plants within the ocean that create blooms of vast productivity in certain parts if the global ocean
what are diatoms an example of?
marine primary producers
why do coccolithophores make up some marine sediments?
because they’re highly abundant
what is a difference between coccolithophores and diatoms?
coccolithophores are calcareous in character whilst diatoms are siliceous
what 2 factors control primary production in both marine and freshwater ecosystems?
light and nutrients
what does the depth of light penetration effect in the photic zone of an ocean/lake?
primary production
is light or nutrients more of a limiting factor in oceans and lakes?
nutrients
what are 2 nutrients that are often most limiting in marine production?
nitrogen and phosphorous
what does it mean if a nutrient is limiting?
more of that element must be added to increase production
what is the photic zone?
the top part of the ocean in which light is able to penetrate
why do we have marine deserts in the North and South pacific despite not being limited by light at the surface?
because the water doesn’t contain enough nutrients to fuel primary production
what is the nutrient cycle?
rocky subsoil is broken down providing nutrients to the soil where decomposers break down organic matter –> soil stores nutrients which plants absorb –> nutrients sued to grow –> H2O and air penetrate the soil –> plant/animal material is broken down in the soil –> decomposers break down organic matter…