Final answer:
Biomass refers to the total mass of living or previously living organisms within a unit area at the time of measurement and can include material from either plants or algae. It's influenced by environmental abiotic factors and is considered a carbon neutral energy source when sourced sustainably.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Biomass
Biomass is a term that refers to the total weight, at the time of measurement, of living or previously living organisms in a unit area within a trophic level. It represents the amount of organic matter present in an individual organism or all the organisms at a given trophic level. This includes both the above-ground and below-ground parts, such as plant roots. Annual biomass production is influenced by the abiotic components of the environment including climate, with warm and wet conditions facilitating higher rates of photosynthesis and therefore greater biomass production.
In terms of energy, biomass is material derived predominantly from plants and, to some extent, algae. For energy production to be sustainable, biomass often comes from waste material, such as sawdust or yard waste, rather than cutting down forests. This is because when burned, biomass does not add new carbon to the atmosphere, making it a carbon neutral energy source.