Essential Questions:
Why are big fierce animals rare? (Explained in terms of energy flow in ecosystems)
Compare and contrast respiration and photosynthesis and explain the role of each in ecosystems
What is the difference between a food chain and food web?
How do you quantify ecosystem productivity?
How does carbon move through the biosphere and how do humans help move it around?
What is the role of bacteria in the nitrogen cycle?
How do human actions interact with each of the biochemical cycles?
How do you distinguish between ecosystem resistance and resilience?
Answers to end of module questions in chapter 3 of the textbook:
Module 6 - Energy
a
c
a
c
b
d
Module 7 - Matter
c
b
a
a
d
c
c
Module 8 - Disturbance
b
b
c
d
c
Vocabulary:
producers (autotrophs), consumers ((heterotrophs), decomposers, scavengers, detritivores, trophic levels, trophic pyramid, food chain, GPP (gross primary productivity, NPP (net primary productivity)
First and second laws of thermodynamics
Nitrogen cycle
fixation, assimilation, ammonification, nitrification, denitrification
leaching, ammonia, nitrite , nitrate, nitrous oxide, atmospheric nitrogen, limiting factor, algal bloom, eutrophication, dead zones
hydrologic cycle
evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, run-off, transpiration, watershed,
Carbon cycle
carbon sinks , combustion, respiration, photosynthesis
Phosphorus cycle
excretion, decomposition, weathering, phosphate fertilizer
Sulfur cycle
Sulfur dioxide, acid rain, volcanism
More ecology terms
Restoration Ecology, Resilience, Resistance
Media:
Crash Course video (nitrogen and phosphate cycles)
Assignment:
Nitrogen cycle poster
Bio-fuels Campaign Ad