BSC 2011 Study Guide
Chapter 55
Chapter 55 – Ecosystems and Restoration Ecology
1. How do physical laws (conservation of energy and conservation of mass) govern energy flow?
2. Describe the roles and relationships between primary producers, primary consumers,
secondary consumers, tertiary consumers, and detritivores (decomposers) in ecosystems.
3. What is primary production? Distinguish between gross primary production and net primary
production. What limits primary production in aquatic ecosystems? What limits primary
production in terrestrial ecosystems?
4. What is the typical production efficiency between trophic levels?
5. Understand the concept of ecological pyramids. Compare a pyramid of net production and a
pyramid of biomass.
6. Describe the biogeochemical cycles…water, carbon, phosphorus, and nitrogen.
7. What does the field of restoration ecology pursue? What is bioremediation and biological
augmentation?
Key Terms – ecosystem, law of conservation of mass, primary producers, primary consumers,
secondary consumers, tertiary consumers, detritivores, decomposers, detritus, primary
production, gross primary production (GPP), net primary production (NPP), limiting nutrient,
secondary production, production efficiency, trophic efficiency, standing crop, biogeochemical
cycles, bioremediation, biological augmentation
Note: This study guide may not be all inclusive of material covered. The student is responsible for learning all
material covered in lecture and as expected as part of this course.