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| All factors which do not involve living organisms. Ex: temperature, climate, nutrition, water, etc. |
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Definition
| All factors which involve living organisms. Ex: predation, competition for breeding grounds or resources, etc. |
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Definition
A small rock-scaling buddy.
Also, fine scale variations of climate. As opposed to macroclimate. Ex: under a log; trees influence microclimates beneath them; a cave. |
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Definition
A holiday pastry, made with lots of butter. (jk)
In ecology, seasonal turnover refers to the mixing of hot and cold water in Spring and Autumn. The mixing is important for cycling nutrients. |
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Definition
| A stratum of rapid temperature change in a lake. Occurs in Winter and Summer.Tropical lakes have a year-round thermocline. |
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| The vertical level in a body of water in which enough light penetrates to enable photosynthesis. |
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Definition
| Organisms which feed on dead organic matter (detritus). They are important for breaking down bodies, feces, and dead plants. Ex: crustations in the benthic zone; some insects on the ground; dung beetles. |
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| Gross Primary Productivity |
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Definition
| The total amount of sunlight converted to chemical energy in an ecosystem. This includes energy used for cellular respiration. |
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