Chapter 3 – Energy in Ecological Systems
I.
A.
Fundamental Concepts Related to Energy: The Laws of Thermodynamics
Statement
Key terms:
B.
Explanation
Key terms:
II.
A.
A.
thermal radiation
solarimeters
radiometers
net radiometer
Concept of Productivity
Statement
Key terms:
B.
solar radiation
solar constant
Explanation
Key terms:
III.
kinetic energy
potential energy
energy flow
Solar Radiation and the Energy Environment
Statement
Key terms:
B.
energy
first law of thermodynamics (law of conservation of energy)
second law of thermodynamics (law of entropy)
entropy
primary productivity
gross primary productivity
net primary productivity
net community productivity
secondary productivities
Explanation
Key terms:
time element
food-to-fiber ratio (harvest ratio)
Green Revolution
Haber process
1.
Key term:
2.
Key terms:
3.
Key terms:
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Key term:
Concept of Energy Subsidy
energy subsidy (auxiliary energy flow)
The Subsidy-Stress Gradient
energy drain (stress)
subsidy-stress gradient
Concept of Source-Sink Energetics
source-sink energetics
outwelling
The Distribution of Primary Production
Human Use of Primary Production
Productivity and Biodiversity: A Two-Way Relationship
Chlorophyll and Primary Production
Ecological Pyramids
ecological pyramids
9. Measurement of Primary Production
10. A Universal Energy Flow Model
Key terms:
IV.
A.
Energy Partitioning in Food Chains and Food Webs
Statement
Key terms:
B.
universal model
trophic level
secondary production
food chain
grazing food chain
detritus food chain
food web
Explanation
Key terms:
omnivores
granivorous food chain
nectar food chain
C.
Examples
1. Resource Quality
Key term:
2.
Key terms:
3.
Key terms:
4.
Key terms:
5.
V.
phycosphere
Reward Feedbacks and the Role of Heterotrophs in Food Webs
reward feedback
eutrophication
Ecological Efficiencies
ecological efficiencies
production efficiency
The Interaction of Bottom-Up and Top-Down Control of Energy Flow in Food Webs
bottom-up hypothesis
top-down hypothesis
bottom-up controls
top-down controls
trophic cascade hypthesis
Isotopic Tracers as Aids to the Study of Food Chains
Energy Quality: eMergy
A. Statement
Key term:
B.
Explanation and Examples
Key term:
VI.
A.
B.
A.
transformity
Metabolism and Size of Individuals: The ¾ Power Principle
Statement
Explanation and Examples
Key term:
VII.
eMergy (embodied energy)
¾ power law
Complexity Theory, Energetics of Scale, and the Law of Diminishing Returns
Statement
Key terms:
increasing returns to scale/economies of scale
diminishing returns to scale/diseconomies of scale
law of diminishing returns
B.
C.
VIII.
Explanation
Example
Concepts of Carrying Capacity and Sustainability
A. Statement
Key terms:
B.
Explanation
Key term:
C.
2.
Key term:
A.
X.
economic welfare threshold/economic carrying capacity
Concept of Sustainability
sustainability
Net Energy Concept
Statement
Key term:
B.
maximum sustained yield/optimum density
Examples
1. Concept of Carrying Capacity
Key term:
IX.
carrying capacity
maximum carrying capacity
optimum carrying capacity
net energy
Explanation and Examples
An Energy-Based Classification of Ecosystems
Statement
1. Natural, unsubsidized solar-powered ecosystems
2. Natural solar-powered ecosystems subsidized by other natural energies.
3. Human-subsidized solar-powered ecosystems.
4. Fuel-powered, urban-industrial technoecosystems.
B. Explanation
A.
Key terms:
solar-powered systems
fuel-powered systems
power density
unsubsidized solar-powered ecosystems
natural capital
naturally-subsidized solar-powered ecosystems
human-subsidized solar-powered ecosystems
fuel-powered ecosystem
XI.
Energy Futures
A. Statement
B. Explanation
Key term:
XII.
A.
B.
ocean thermal energy conversion
Energy and Money
Statement
Explanation and Illustrations
Key term:
ecological economics