week 6-7

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Questions and Answers

What is the general assessment of reducing meat consumption in relation to environmental sustainability?

  • It will definitely save the planet without any trade-offs.
  • It is a simple and straightforward solution to the crisis.
  • It has no impact on the carbon footprint.
  • It’s a complicated issue that requires deeper evaluation. (correct)

Which statement best describes the role of Wikipedia in research?

  • It contains all necessary information needed for advanced research.
  • Wikipedia is a reliable source for scholarly articles.
  • It is only useful for preliminary research, not for citing. (correct)
  • Wikipedia should be used as a primary source for academic research.

What should students consider when evaluating sources of information?

  • The CRAP test is a useful evaluation tool. (correct)
  • The publication date of the sources.
  • The number of views the source has received online.
  • Whether the source agrees with their personal beliefs.

What is the due date for the Ecological Footprint Essay?

<p>10/21/24 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of photosynthesis in ecosystems?

<p>To convert solar energy into chemical energy (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding energy transfer between trophic levels?

<p>Only 10% of energy is available to the next trophic level. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What gas is produced during cellular respiration?

<p>Carbon dioxide (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is primarily exchanged during the process of photosynthesis?

<p>Carbon dioxide and glucose (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statements are correct regarding carbon cycling?

<p>Glucose is a carbon-containing compound. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of global greenhouse gas emissions do livestock account for?

<p>11.1-19.6% (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do primary producers play in an ecosystem?

<p>They convert energy from sunlight into food. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about energy pyramids in ecosystems is accurate?

<p>Energy pyramids illustrate the flow of energy through trophic levels. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of autotrophs in an ecosystem?

<p>To convert inorganic carbon into organic compounds (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the law of 10% apply to energy flow in an ecosystem?

<p>Only 10% of the energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of removing apex predators from an ecosystem?

<p>It leads to an explosion of the prey population. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What process moves carbon from the atmosphere into organic compartments?

<p>Photosynthesis (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a trophic cascade, which scenario illustrates a bottom-up effect?

<p>Increased primary production leading to more herbivores. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes a decomposer's function in an ecosystem?

<p>To breakdown organic matter and recycle nutrients. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is primary production specifically defined as?

<p>The process of converting light energy into chemical energy. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect does meat consumption have on the environment?

<p>It increases the overall carbon footprint due to resource intensity. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Ecological Niche

The role a species plays in an ecosystem, including its interactions with other species and its environment.

Trophic Level

A position in a food chain or web, based on the organism's source of energy.

Trophic Cascade

A series of changes in the populations of different species in an ecosystem, triggered by the removal of a top predator.

Primary Producer

Organisms that capture light energy to create their own food (e.g., plants).

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Photosynthesis

The process of using sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into sugars.

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Primary Production

The rate at which primary producers convert light energy into chemical energy.

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Carbon Cycling

The process of carbon moving between living organisms and the atmosphere.

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Law of 10%

Only about 10% of the energy at one trophic level is transferred to the next.

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Cellular Respiration

The process by which organisms break down glucose to release energy, producing carbon dioxide and water.

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Ecosystem

A community of living organisms interacting with each other and their physical environment.

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Pyramid of Energy

A diagram representing the decreasing amount of energy at each trophic level in an ecosystem.

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Primary Productivity

The rate at which primary producers (plants) create energy through photosynthesis.

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Energy Transfer Inefficiency

Only about 10% of the energy available at one trophic level is transferred to the next.

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Carbon Footprint

The total amount of greenhouse gases (like CO2) generated by our actions.

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Ecological Footprint Essay

An essay discussing one's ecological impact on the environment.

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Midterm Exam

A test covering material from 9/16 - 10/7, reading, and activities.

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Evaluating Sources

Critically assessing the reliability and accuracy of information.

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Wikipedia Usage

Use as a starting point but verify information from reliable sources.

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Study Notes

Course Information

  • Course name: SC253: Ecology and Environmental Problems
  • Date of lecture: October 7, 2024
  • Instructor: Prof. Amy L. Frick

Agenda

  • Housekeeping
  • Review of ecological niches & trophic levels
  • Ecosystems as compartments of energy
  • Carbon cycling
  • Law of 10%
  • Effect of meat consumption on the environment
  • Carbon footprint
  • Midterm questions

Housekeeping

  • Midterm: October 14, 2024. Multiple choice and short answer questions. Covers class discussions (September 16 - October 7), readings referenced in class, and in-class activities/assignments.
  • Ecological Footprint Essay: Due October 21, 2024. Mini-presentation of 1-2 slides in class. Details in the /Content/Case Study of One/ folder.

Ecosystem Organization

  • Biome > Ecosystem > Community > Population > Organism

Ecological Niches

  • Autotrophs: Perform photosynthesis (e.g., plants).
  • Heterotrophs: Obtain energy by consuming other organisms (e.g., herbivores, carnivores).
  • Decomposers: Break down dead organisms.

Trophic Levels

  • Primary producers: Plants
  • Primary consumers: Herbivores
  • Secondary consumers: Carnivores
  • Tertiary consumers: Apex predators

Trophic Cascade

  • Removal of sea otters leads to urchin population explosions, which destroy kelp forests.
  • Top down: Animals eating animals.
  • Bottom up: Plants creating support of other species.

Energy Flow

  • Energy flows through linked compartments.
  • Sunlight -> Plants (Photosynthesis) -> Herbivores -> Carnivores -> Decomposers.
  • Energy lost as heat at each step.

Carbon Cycling

  • Photosynthesis: Converts carbon dioxide to glucose (organic carbon)
  • Respiration: Converts glucose (organic carbon) back to carbon dioxide.

Primary Production

  • Process where primary producers capture light energy, converting it to energy in carbohydrates.
  • Photosynthesis Equation: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + sunlight → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂

Cellular Respiration

  • Process where organisms break down glucose to release stored energy.
  • Cellular Respiration Equation: C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + Energy (ATP)

Carbon Footprint

  • Livestock accounting for 11.1%-19.6% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Consumption of less meat correlates to a lower carbon footprint (data presented in a bar graph).
  • Breakdown of various carbon footprints by different dietary choices.

Additional Information

  • Evaluating sources: Guidance on evaluating scholarly and popular articles.
  • Fact-checking resources: Suggestions on useful websites and resources to cross-reference information.
  • Specific dates: Questions on topics discussed on September 16, 23, and 30, as well as the 9/16 - 10/7 period.

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Week 6_7 - Ecosystems as energetic compartments PDF

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