3.5.3/4 Ecosystem and cycles n stuff

Each stage of a food chain.
Alot of energy is lost between stages

Rest of energy(after some used for respiration) used in creating biological molecules
Measured in terms of mass of carbon or dry mass of tissue per given area

Gross primary production = chemical energy store in plant biomass in a given area. All of the energy created from photosynthesis

Net primary production = chemical energy store in plant biomass that takes into account energy lost in respiration
NPP = GPP - R

Net production of consumers is amount of energy stored in animals after all other processes have been taking account of
N = I-F + R
I = chemical energy in ingested food
F= chemical energy lost to Faecaes/ urine
R = respiratory loss

Fungal associations between plant roots and fungi
- Fungi increasa SA for water and mineral absorptions
- mycorrhizae acts like sponge holding water and minerals around roots making plants more drought resistance
- Fungi get sugars from plants
Mutualistic relationship

Deposition - waste products deposit and form phosphate in rocks
Sedimentation - another way forming rocks containing phosphate

Ammonification
Nitrification
Nitrogen fixation
Denitrification
- this cant happen without saprobiotic nutrition/microbes/

1)NITROGEN FIXATION-N2 in atmosphere is converted to nitrogen containing molecules by microorganisms.
2)AMMONIFICATION- Nitrogen containing molecules are converted into ammonium by microorganisms
3) NITRIFICATION- Nitryfying bacteria convert ammonium to nitrites(NO2-) and then to Nitrates(NO3-). These can be absorbed into plants and animals
4)Plant and animal matter is broken down by saprobionts into nitrogen containing molecules(like ammonium)
5)DENITRIFICATION- bacteria convert nitrates into n2 (not good for farming)

Added to soil to replace nitrate/phosphates ions lost when plants are hervested
Two types:
Natural(manure)
Artificial(inorganic chemicals)

When water-soluble compounds are washed away into rivers/ponds and if its nitrogen fertilisers it can cause eutrophication

1) nitrates leached stimulate growth of algae in pond
2)Excessvie growth creates blanket of algae (algae bloom) blocking light
3)As a result plants below cant photosynthesis and die
4)Bacteria in water feed and respire on dead matter.
- This increases bacteria which leads to lots of respiring and using up oxygen
Donc fish and plant die :(