Ecosystem Ecology

Question 1

Ecosystem ecology

Answer 1

Study of organisms and abiotic factors with more focus on what organisms do
-less focus on who is there (what species)

Question 2

Ecosystems

Answer 2

All organisms + abiotic factors with which they interact

-energy and matter = common currency for all organisms (constant input of energy is needed to live)

Question 3

Ecological energy conversions: (2 conversions)

Answer 3

1. photosynthesis

2. respiration

Question 4

Photosynthesis

Answer 4

Plants produce glucose then feed it to themselves

• autotrophy (self-feeding)
• CO2 + H20 ->-> glucose + O2 (+ heat)
• light energy -> chemical energy

Question 5

Respiration

Answer 5

• releasing chemical energy to do work

- glucose + O2 ->-> CO2 + H2O + ATP (+ heat)

Question 6

Heterotrophs

Answer 6

Organisms that cannot make their own glucose

Question 7

Consumers

Answer 7

Eat living organisms

Question 8

Decomposers

Answer 8

Eat detritus (non-living organic material)

Question 9

Energy flow

Answer 9

Solar energy to...
primary producer to... (heat given off) [could also go straight to decomposer]
consumer to... (heat given off)
decomposer (heat given off)
-all transfers are inefficient

Question 10

Energy pyramid

Answer 10

• 10 percent rule

- biological magnification

Question 11

Biochemical cycling: (2 things)

Answer 11

1. nutrients

2. nutrient (biogeochemical) cycles

Question 12

Nutrients

Answer 12

Elements essential for growth, survival, reproduction

Question 13

Nutrient (biogeochemical) cycles

Answer 13

Movements and chemical transformations of biologically important elements between biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem

• C, N, P of greatest interest
• H2O = special case

Question 14

Carbon cycling

Answer 14

CO2 to primary producer then to… (could also go straight to decomposer)
consumer then to… (CO2 given off)
decomposer (CO2 given off)

Question 15

Greenhouse effect

Answer 15

CO2, water vapor, and other greenhouse gases reflect infrared radiation back toward Earth

Question 16

Global warming

Answer 16

• affects geographic distribution ofprecipitation

- triggers increased thawing and decomposition

Question 17

Global warming prevention

Answer 17

• reducing energy need
• conversion to renewable energy sources
• stabilizing CO2 emissions

Question 18

Millennium ecosystem assessment: (4 main findings)

Answer 18

1. humans have radically altered ecosystems in last 50 years
2. changes have brought gains but at growing costs that threaten achievement of development goals
3. degradation of ecosystems could grow worse but can be reversed
4. workable solutions will require significant changes in policy