Unit 3: Ecosystem Ecology

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

  1. a

  2. c

  3. a

  4. c

  5. b

  6. d

Module 7 - Matter

  1. c

  2. b

  3. a

  4. a

  5. d

  6. c

  7. c

Module 8 - Disturbance

  1. b

  2. b

  3. c

  4. d

  5. c


Vocabulary:

Processes

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

Biochemical cycles

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:

How Whales Change Climate

How wolves change rivers

Crash Course video (nitrogen and phosphate cycles)

Assignment:

Nitrogen cycle poster

Bio-fuels Campaign Ad