Ecosystem ecology

Energy flows, nutrients cycle

Net primary production (plants)

Consumers very inefficient energy transformers, especially in terrestrial systems, usually less than 6 levels

Some materials do not breakdown and get stored in tissues, become concentrated within food chains (higher concentrations higher in food chain)

Species population attributes, biological conditions, abiotic conditions

Competition, reproductive requirements, parasitism

Temp (most important), precipitation (most important), sunlight, wind, etc

Latitude (higher=rays are less direct) and season

Vegetation dominated by grass, occur in regions that have cold winters