Photosynthesis should be understood as requiring carbon dioxide, water, chlorophyll and certain visible wavelengths of light producing organic matter and oxygen. The transformation of light energy into the chemical energy of organic matter should be appreciated. Respiration should be recognised as requiring organic matter with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water and without oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and other waste products, involving the release of energy in a form available for use by living organisms but ultimately to be lost as heat. Processes involving the transfer and transformation of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and water as they cycle through an ecosystem should be described noting the inter-conversion of organic and inorganic storage where appropriate. Interpret, and construct from given data, diagrams of these cycles.
Productivity is production per unit time.
Other metabolic losses may take place, but these may be ignored in calculating and defining net for the purpose of this course. Examples can be found in population dynamics and mineral cycling, for example. Describe and explain 'S' and 'J' population growth curves. Explanations should be given for changes in both numbers and rates of growth in standard 'S' and 'Y population curves. Population curves should be sketched, described, interpreted and constructed from given data.