Earth Systems Overview
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Questions and Answers

What percentage of the Earth's water is fresh?

  • 70%
  • 3% (correct)
  • 1%
  • 30%

    • Which component of Earth systems is responsible for protecting the planet from radiation?

  • Geosphere
  • Atmosphere (correct)
  • Biosphere
  • Hydrosphere

    • What forms of water are included in the hydrosphere?

  • Ice, liquid, and vapor (correct)
  • Only surface water
  • Only frozen water
  • Only liquid water

    • Which statement accurately describes biodiversity?

    <p>It includes all species, including bacteria.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of the geosphere in Earth's systems?

    <p>Provides structural and nutrient support</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which is a characteristic of ecosystems?

    <p>Biotic and abiotic components interact to form a bubble of life.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary component of the biosphere?

    <p>All forms of life</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of Earth's water is saline?

    <p>97%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which layer of Earth's systems includes air and drives ocean currents?

    <p>Atmosphere</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key threat to biodiversity?

    <p>Human activities</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is not considered an abiotic component of ecosystems?

    <p>Plants</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What process is primarily responsible for the cycling of nutrients such as carbon and nitrogen in ecosystems?

    <p>Nutrient Cycling</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following factors is not directly related to the climate component of ecosystems?

    <p>Soil Type</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of geological time, which of the following best describes the term 'relative time'?

    <p>Comparative measures of how fast or slow geological events occur</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which abiotic factor plays a crucial role in the rates of weathering in ecosystems?

    <p>Mineral Composition</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following defines the primary energy transformation sequence in ecosystems?

    <p>Solar &gt; chemical &gt; mechanical &gt; infrared</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which biotic component of ecosystems primarily contributes to nutrient cycling?

    <p>Microbes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main effect of time relative to ecosystems?

    <p>It affects the size and complexity of ecosystems</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a factor that affects soil properties in an ecosystem?

    <p>Rock Type</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary source of food for herbivores in tide pools?

    <p>Seaweed</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do carnivores in tide pools obtain their food?

    <p>Preying on other animals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of an ecosystem is affected by changes in temperature?

    <p>Plant growth</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an organism?

    <p>Any form of life</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which component is NOT part of an ecosystem?

    <p>Universe</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What occurs as a result of the balance in an ecosystem?

    <p>Continuous change</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the process of forming sedimentary rocks called?

    <p>Lithification</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is part of the realms of ecology?

    <p>Cells</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these factors does NOT influence ecosystem components?

    <p>Artificial satellites</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of rock is formed under heat and pressure?

    <p>Metamorphic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What geological process involves the burial, compaction, and cementation of sediments?

    <p>Lithification</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which rock types primarily compose the Precambrian Shield?

    <p>Granite and gneiss</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During which geological period did the majority of central Ontario get covered by a semi-tropical ocean?

    <p>400 million years ago</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What major geological event occurred between 2 million and 12,000 years ago in Ontario?

    <p>Continental glaciation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines a physiographic region?

    <p>An area with consistent bedrock geology, soils, slope, and morphology</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What geological feature is characterized by flat-lying limestone and shales in southern Ontario?

    <p>St. Lawrence Lowlands</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which region of Ontario is primarily underlain by flat-lying sedimentary rocks and extensive wetland areas?

    <p>Hudson Bay Lowlands</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What ecological effect did the glacial period have on the limestone layers in Ontario?

    <p>Erosion of limestone layers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about the Precambrian Shield is true?

    <p>It is the largest physiographic region in Ontario.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary contributing factor for the rich alkaline soils in the St. Lawrence Lowlands?

    <p>The deposition of glacial sediments</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Overview of Earth Systems

    • Ecology and Environment is a study of Earth's systems, including its atmosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere
    • The "Pale Blue Dot" refers to Earth's unique position as the only planet in our Solar System with abundant liquid water, essential for life. 70% of Earth's surface is water

    Earth Systems Science

    • Earth System Science is the study of the interactions between the atmosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.
    • Each system plays a critical role, making up Earth’s complex and interconnected natural systems
    • These systems work together to form a complex network of interactions
    • The systems have a continuous cycle

    Hydrosphere

    • The hydrosphere encompasses all water on Earth, in all forms (solid, liquid, gaseous).
    • 97% of Earth's water is saltwater. The remaining 3% is freshwater, mostly frozen.
    • Water is essential for all life on Earth.
    • Water is critical for human survival, vital for drinking, washing, and manufacturing

    Atmosphere

    • The atmosphere is a thin layer of gases surrounding the Earth. It provides us with air to breathe, protects from radiation, and helps regulate temperature and drives ocean currents

    Geosphere

    • The geosphere includes the Earth's solid surface and interior
    • It comprises rocks, minerals, and landforms, and it supports life on Earth.
    • The geosphere is vital for structural and nutrient support for life on Earth
    • The geosphere is deeply connected to the other Earth systems, such as erosion, weathering, and the rock cycle

    Biosphere

    • The biosphere encompasses all living organisms on Earth. This ranges from bacteria to whales.
    • They exist in biomes, such as diverse ecosystems, and contain a great deal of biodiversity
    • The organisms are interdependent on each other and on the environment

    Functional Scale

    • An ecosystem is a geographic area where biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components interact and form complex systems
    • The scope of study ranges from the universal to the atomic levels, demonstrating the interconnectedness of these elements

    Ecosystem Components

    • Ecosystems are made up of interacting abiotic (non-living) and biotic (living) components
    • Key abiotic components include bedrock geology, soils (minerals, particles, organic material), water, air, and solar energy
    • Key biotic components include plants, animals, and microbes
    • Important factors in the components are weathering factors, mineral particles, surface water, soil, hydrology, ground water, temperature, humidity, solar energy, and wind

    Natural Nutrient Flows

    • Natural nutrient flows in an ecosystem are crucial for primary production
    • Nutrients are cycled between the atmosphere, plants, soil, and ground water

    Types of Rocks

    • Igneous rocks form from cooling magma (or lava).
    • Sedimentary rocks form from sediments deposited and compressed over time.
    • Metamorphic rocks are formed by changing existing rock types through heat and pressure. The rock cycle demonstrates how these types of rocks change and relate to each other.

    Ontario's Geological History

    • Ontario's geology is layered.
    • Rocks from different periods are stacked one on top of another
    • There are sedimentary rocks like limestones, and metamorphic rocks such as granites and gneiss

    Physiographic Regions

    • Ontario has different physiographic regions reflecting its varied geology, soils, landforms, and slopes

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    Ecology and Environment Lecture 1 PDF

    Description

    This quiz explores the fundamental concepts of Earth Systems, including the interactions among the atmosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. Discover critical insights about Earth's unique position in the Solar System and the importance of water for life on our planet.

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