Ecosystem Terms

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ammonification

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Breakdown of nitrogen-containing organic material resulting in the release of ammonia and ammonium ions.

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aquifer

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Porous rock layer that holds some groundwater.

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atmospheric cycle

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Biogeochemical cycle in which a gaseous form of an element plays a significant role.

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biogeochemical cycle

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A nutrient moves among environmental reservoirs and into and out of food webs.

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biomass pyramid

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Diagram that depicts the biomass (dry weight) in each of an ecosystem’s trophic levels.

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carbon cycle

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Movement of carbon, mainly between the oceans, atmosphere, and living organisms.

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consumer

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Organism that gets energy and nutrients by feeding on tissues, wastes, or remains of other organisms; a heterotroph.

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decomposer

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Organism that feeds on biological remains and breaks organic material down into its inorganic subunits.

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denitrification

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Conversion of nitrates or nitrites to gaseous forms of nitrogen.

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detrital food web

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Food web in which most energy is transferred directly from producers to detritivores.