Biomass

Definition

Biomass is the total mass of all living organisms in a given area or ecosystem at a certain time. It is an important indicator of energy flow and productivity in ecosystems.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Biomass includes plants, animals, microorganisms, and all organic matter they produce.
2. Primary producers like plants and algae contribute the most to biomass in an ecosystem.
3. Biomass can be measured as dry weight or wet weight, but dry weight is more commonly used for accuracy.
4. It plays a crucial role in carbon cycling, storing carbon that would otherwise be in the atmosphere.
5. Energy transfer through trophic levels in an ecosystem often results in reduced biomass at higher trophic levels.

Review Questions

• What constitutes biomass in an ecosystem?
• Why is biomass measurement typically done using dry weight?
• How does biomass relate to energy flow through trophic levels?

Related terms

Primary Producers: Organisms such as plants and algae that produce biomass through photosynthesis.

Trophic Levels: Different positions organisms occupy in a food chain, from primary producers to apex predators.

Carbon Cycle: The process by which carbon is exchanged between different reservoirs on Earth, including the atmosphere, oceans, and living organisms.