Developing Ecosystem On Mars

Glossary

Algae/reefs: regions of algal beds and reefs

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Biomass: total dry weight of all plants and organisms being measured at any one time

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Biomes: geographic areas covering the surface of the earth distinguished by particular types of dominant plants

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Continental Shelf: edges of the continents that extend 10-20 km out into the sea

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Cultivated Land: regions utilized by humans for food growing

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Desert: regions of little rainfall and warm air

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Ecosystem: a system composed of plants and organisms through which energy flows and materials cycle

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Estuaries: regions where fresh water of streams and rivers drains into the sea

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Extreme Conditions: extreme desert, rock, sand, and ice regions

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Forest: includes temperate evergreen and deciduous forest, as well as boreal forest

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Grassland/Savanna: the transitional areas between temperate forests and deserts, including shrubland and semidesert scrubland

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Lakes, Swamps, Rivers: water regions, also including marshes and streams

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Light Utilization Efficiency: ratio of net primary production to incoming solar radiation
e= NPP sunlight

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Net Primary Production (NPP): a measure of the rate at which organisms store energy which then becomes available to the organisms of the next feeding level
NPP = total productivity - metabolic activities
(rate at which energy is bound or organic material created by photosynthesis)

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Ocean: primary body of water covering 3/4 of the surface of the earth

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Rainforest: includes tropical and seasonal forest

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Tundra: Arctic region covered by a layer of permafrost

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Turnover Time: The time required to produce corresponding biomass.

Biomass per area (kg/m²)

Net Primary Productivity (kg/m²yr)

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Data Analysis: Bridget Smith
Web Design: Katie Strong