Definition: Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) represents the total rate of photosynthesis, while Net Primary Productivity (NPP) is GPP minus respiration.

Example: In a marine ecosystem, energy flows from primary producers like phytoplankton through various consumer levels, following the 10% rule of energy transfer.

Highlight: Species diversity and ecosystem resilience are directly related, with more diverse ecosystems showing greater ability to withstand environmental changes.

Vocabulary: Ecological niche refers to an organism's role in the ecosystem, with specialists having narrow niches and generalists having broad niches.

Definition: Ecosystem services are benefits humans receive from natural systems, including provisional, regulating, supporting, and cultural services.

Example: Vultures provide crucial regulating ecosystem services by removing carcasses and preventing disease spread.

Highlight: Environmental changes can drive rapid adaptation, as demonstrated by the Galápagos finches' beak size changes in response to food availability.

Vocabulary: Primary succession occurs on newly formed land, while secondary succession takes place after disturbances to existing communities.

Definition: A population consists of members of a specific species sharing the same area, while a community encompasses all living things in a certain area.

Example: The water cycle demonstrates the continuous movement of water through ecosystems via processes like evaporation, precipitation, and transpiration.

Vocabulary: Biogeochemical cycles refer to the circulation of chemical elements like carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus through both biotic and abiotic components of Earth.

Highlight: Biomes are classified based on temperature, moisture, climate, terrain, and minerals, ranging from tropical forests to polar ice caps.