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Energy and Ecosystems (Biomass (can be measured (in terms of dry mass (dry…
Energy and Ecosystems
Biomass
biological material from living or recently living organisms
can be measured
in terms of carbon
in terms of dry mass
dry mass is measured by measuring heated material until it no longer changes in mass
Biomass decreases up the trophic levels
eg. trees have more biomass than sheep
much of the biomass is lost
Energy loss and transfer
not all of the material from one trophic level to the other is digested
thus some energy is lost
energy lost in faeces or urine (F)
energy lost via respiration (R)
Net production
N = I - (F+R)
energy available in the tissues of the animal
Production
Gross primary production
chemical energy store in plant biomass
all energy captured during photosynthesis
Net Primary Production
chemical energy store in plant biomass after respiratory losses
factors affecting primary production
the intrinsic capabilities of the specific plant species
The intensity of sunlight that falls onto them
the duration of light each day
the amount of water that is available
the temperature
the conc. of carbon dioxide
the availability of inorganic ions
Chemical energy store in dry biomass
calorimetry
bomb calorimeter
energy given off heats up water
change in temperature is measured
units of energy
calorie
older unit but measures food energy
joule