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Productivity, food chains and biogeochemical cycles

Energy transfers · Lesson 3 of 3

Lesson 3 of 3

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Lesson 3 of 3 · Energy transfers

Productivity, food chains and biogeochemical cycles

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By the end you’ll be able to

define gross primary productivity, net primary productivity, gross secondary productivity and net secondary productivity, and calculate productivity using appropriate equations
explain how energy is transferred through food chains and food webs, and account for losses through respiration, excretion, egestion, incomplete consumption and transfer to decomposers

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explain the role of decomposers and detritivores in nutrient recycling, including the breakdown of organic material by extracellular digestion and the release of inorganic ions

describe and explain the main processes in the carbon and nitrogen cycles, including photosynthesis, respiration, feeding, decomposition, ammonification, nitrification, nitrogen fixation and denitrification

analyse how environmental factors such as temperature, oxygen availability and waterlogging affect decomposition, nutrient availability and ecosystem productivity

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