biotassa

Biotassa is a term that refers to the total mass of living organisms within a defined area or volume. This ecological concept is crucial for understanding ecosystem health and function. It is typically measured in units of mass per unit of area, such as kilograms per hectare, or mass per unit of volume, like grams per cubic meter.

Biotassa encompasses all living components, including plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms. However, in practical ecological studies, it is often focused on specific trophic levels or groups of organisms, such as plant biotassa or animal biotassa. Plant biotassa, for instance, is a key indicator of vegetation biomass and its potential to support herbivores.

The distribution and magnitude of biotassa can vary significantly depending on factors like climate, soil fertility, water availability, and the presence of human activities. For example, a dense tropical rainforest will have a much higher biotassa than a barren desert. Monitoring changes in biotassa over time can reveal important trends related to environmental degradation, recovery, or the impact of conservation efforts. It plays a role in nutrient cycling, energy flow, and the overall biodiversity of an ecosystem.