Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the purpose of a pyramid of numbers in ecology?
What is the purpose of a pyramid of numbers in ecology?
To represent the number of organisms at each trophic level in a food chain.
Explain the concept of biomagnification with an example.
Explain the concept of biomagnification with an example.
Biomagnification is the process where toxins accumulate in higher trophic levels of a food chain. For example, DDT accumulated in falcons due to eating DDT-exposed prey, leading to thin eggshells and near extinction.
Which cycle involves the recycling of essential chemical elements by incorporating both biotic and abiotic components?
Which cycle involves the recycling of essential chemical elements by incorporating both biotic and abiotic components?
Decomposers play a key role in breaking down organic matter through ___________.
Decomposers play a key role in breaking down organic matter through ___________.
Signup and view all the answers
Water is known as the universal solvent due to its ability to dissolve all substances completely.
Water is known as the universal solvent due to its ability to dissolve all substances completely.
Signup and view all the answers
Define the term 'Biosphere.'
Define the term 'Biosphere.'
Signup and view all the answers
What are the types of relationships in ecosystems involving non-living components?
What are the types of relationships in ecosystems involving non-living components?
Signup and view all the answers
Decomposers derive their energy from living organisms.
Decomposers derive their energy from living organisms.
Signup and view all the answers
In ecosystems, energy flows from the __________ trophic level to the next.
In ecosystems, energy flows from the __________ trophic level to the next.
Signup and view all the answers
What must nitrogen be turned into before most organisms can use it directly?
What must nitrogen be turned into before most organisms can use it directly?
Signup and view all the answers
Match the ecosystem structure with the correct description:
Match the ecosystem structure with the correct description:
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following are processes included in the Nitrogen Cycle?
Which of the following are processes included in the Nitrogen Cycle?
Signup and view all the answers
In the Nitrogen Cycle, Ammonia (NH3) is converted into __________ (NO3).
In the Nitrogen Cycle, Ammonia (NH3) is converted into __________ (NO3).
Signup and view all the answers
What are the two sources of fresh water beneath the soil?
What are the two sources of fresh water beneath the soil?
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following nutrient cycles with their respective storage or forms:
Match the following nutrient cycles with their respective storage or forms:
Signup and view all the answers
Why does water have a high boiling and freezing point?
Why does water have a high boiling and freezing point?
Signup and view all the answers
Plants reduce leaching by extending long branch roots deep into the soil to get as much nutrients as possible, thus prevent the loss of important _________.
Plants reduce leaching by extending long branch roots deep into the soil to get as much nutrients as possible, thus prevent the loss of important _________.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following terms with their definitions: Transpiration, Evaporation, Condensation, Precipitation
Match the following terms with their definitions: Transpiration, Evaporation, Condensation, Precipitation
Signup and view all the answers
Define the Albedo effect.
Define the Albedo effect.
Signup and view all the answers
What is the significance of forests in terrestrial ecosystems?
What is the significance of forests in terrestrial ecosystems?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the two main forestry practices mentioned in the text?
What are the two main forestry practices mentioned in the text?
Signup and view all the answers
Clear-cutting is less expensive than selective cutting.
Clear-cutting is less expensive than selective cutting.
Signup and view all the answers
What occurs during ecological succession is natural changes to communities over time, from ____ to ____.
What occurs during ecological succession is natural changes to communities over time, from ____ to ____.
Signup and view all the answers
What are the two types of lakes mentioned in the text?
What are the two types of lakes mentioned in the text?
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following terms with their descriptions:
- Biotic Potential
- Limiting Factors
- Density Dependent Limiting Factors
- Density Independent Limiting Factors
Match the following terms with their descriptions:
- Biotic Potential
- Limiting Factors
- Density Dependent Limiting Factors
- Density Independent Limiting Factors
Signup and view all the answers
What is the maximum number of individuals that an ecosystem can support called?
What is the maximum number of individuals that an ecosystem can support called?
Signup and view all the answers
Define ecological niche in your own words.
Define ecological niche in your own words.
Signup and view all the answers
Why can exotic species often outcompete native species in a new habitat?
Why can exotic species often outcompete native species in a new habitat?
Signup and view all the answers
What is an example of how human interference has led to a decrease in the population of a species?
What is an example of how human interference has led to a decrease in the population of a species?
Signup and view all the answers
How has the rapid increase in the population of purple loosestrife affected other species?
How has the rapid increase in the population of purple loosestrife affected other species?
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following ecosystems with their biotic and abiotic factors:
Match the following ecosystems with their biotic and abiotic factors:
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
The Biosphere as a Closed System
- The biosphere is a closed system that contains life, surrounded by the lithosphere (land), hydrosphere (water), and atmosphere (air).
- The Earth is in a state of dynamic equilibrium, constantly changing but maintaining a steady state.
Biological Levels of Organization
- Biological levels of organization:
- Cell: the smallest functional unit of life
- Tissue: groups of cells with similar functions
- Organ: groups of tissues with similar functions
- Organ system: groups of organs with similar functions
- Organism: groups of organ systems that make up an organism
- Population: groups of organisms of the same species living in the same area
- Community: groups of different species living in the same area
- Ecosystem: a community and its physical and chemical components
- Biome: a large area with specific climate and organisms
- Biosphere: the narrow zone around the Earth with life
Biotic and Abiotic Relationships
- Types of relationships:
- Abiotic-abiotic: two non-living components
- Abiotic-biotic: one living, one non-living component
- Biotic-biotic: two living components (symbiotic relationships)
- Parasitism (+/-): one benefits, one is harmed
- Mutualism (+/+): both benefit
- Commensalism (+/o): one benefits, one unaffected
Energy Flow in the Biosphere
- Solar radiation is the ultimate source of energy for the biosphere
- Energy flows from one trophic level to the next, with approximately 10% of energy transferred from one level to the next
- Trophic levels:
- Autotrophs (producers): obtain energy from sunlight or inorganic sources
- Heterotrophs (consumers): obtain energy by consuming other organisms
- Ecosystem structure:
- Producers (autotrophs)
- Primary consumers (herbivores)
- Secondary consumers (carnivores)
- Tertiary consumers (carnivores that eat other carnivores)
Ecological Pyramids
- Types of ecological pyramids:
- Pyramid of numbers: shows the number of organisms at each trophic level
- Pyramid of biomass: shows the total dry mass of organisms at each trophic level
- Pyramid of energy: shows the energy available at each trophic level
- Only 10% of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next, resulting in a decrease in energy available at each level.
Human Interference with Energy Flow in Ecosystems
- Examples of human interference:
- Hunting and fishing: overhunting and overfishing can disrupt ecosystems
- Monocultures: cultivating single species can lead to ecosystem collapse
- Species reintroduction: reintroducing species can have unintended consequences
- Chemical use: pesticides and other chemicals can harm ecosystems
Practice Problems
- Answers to practice problems on topics such as trophic levels, food chains, energy flow, and ecological pyramids.### Energy Flow in Ecosystems
- Only 10% of energy available in a plant is transferred to a primary consumer, as the plant uses the rest for photosynthesis, growth, and reproduction.
- Using a pyramid of numbers to show energy flow has limitations, as it doesn't account for the varying sizes of organisms.
Omnivores and Energy Sources
- An omnivore would obtain more energy by consuming plants rather than animal tissue, as only 10% of energy is passed on to the next trophic level.
Cycling of Matter
- Biogeochemical cycles involve both biotic and abiotic components.
- The cycling of matter consists of two processes: digestion and decay.
- Decomposers break down organic matter, releasing nutrients back into the environment.
Properties of Water
- Water is essential for organisms due to its unique properties:
- Absorbs and releases thermal energy, moderating temperature fluctuations.
- Acts as a solvent, facilitating metabolic reactions.
- Supplies hydrogen atoms to producers during photosynthesis and oxygen atoms to organisms during cellular respiration.
The Water Cycle
- Evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and groundwater flow are the main processes involved in the water cycle.
- Percolation, leaching, and transpiration also play important roles in the water cycle.
Carbon, Oxygen, and Nitrogen Cycles
- The carbon cycle involves the balance between photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
- Carbon is stored in the lithosphere (sedimentary rocks, fossil fuels), hydrosphere (dissolved in water), and atmosphere.
- Human activities, such as combustion of fossil fuels, deforestation, and livestock farming, contribute to an enhanced greenhouse effect.
- The nitrogen cycle involves nitrogen fixation, ammonification, nitrification, and denitrification.
Phosphorus Cycle
- Phosphorus is essential for ATP, bones, cell membranes, and DNA.
- Most phosphorus is stored in rocks, and it can take one of two paths: the fast track (dissolved phosphates in soil) or the slow track (phosphorus in ocean sediment).
Agriculture and Nutrient Cycles
- Harvesting crops removes nitrogen and phosphorus from the soil, interrupting natural cycles.
- Fertilizing soil with nitrogen and phosphorus can restore nutrients and increase food production.
- Excess fertilizers can contribute to eutrophication and algal blooms in freshwater ecosystems.
Additional Notes
- Climate change is enhanced by human activities, leading to an increase in global temperatures.
- The rate of global warming is concerning, and it requires collective efforts to slow it down.
- The albedo effect is affected by the Earth's surface, with white surfaces having a high albedo and black surfaces having a low albedo.
- Permafrost thawing in Alaska and changes in the Earth's atmosphere are related to global warming.
- Stromatolites, layered rocks containing fossils of ocean bacteria, have helped change the gases in our atmosphere, shifting from methane to oxygen over time.Here are the study notes in detailed bullet points:
Importance of Aerating Lawns
- Aerating lawns exposes denitrifying bacteria to oxygen, reducing the breakdown of nitrates to nitrogen
- This helps the soil retain nitrates that would otherwise be lost
Nitrogen and Phosphorus Cycling
- Nitrogen and phosphorus are essential nutrients for plants and animals
- Nitrogen and phosphorus cycles are linked to the water cycle
- Both are water-soluble, allowing them to be taken up by plant roots and enter the food chain
- Water also plays a role in leaching and dissolving phosphates out of rocks
Terrestrial Ecosystems in Alberta
- Four main biomes: tundra, taiga, temperate deciduous forest, and grassland
- Taiga (boreal forest) ecosystems:
- Found in northern and central Alberta
- Characterized by coniferous trees, cold winters, and short growing seasons
- Canopy, forest floor, and understory habitats support different species
- Muskeg ecosystems:
- Found in northern Alberta, characterized by permafrost and acidic soil
- Slow decomposition, poor drainage, and low tree growth
- Grassland ecosystems:
- Found in southern Alberta, characterized by nutrient-rich soil and diverse species
- Limited biodiversity, dominated by grasses and grazers
- Deciduous forest ecosystems:
- Found in central Alberta, characterized by mixed deciduous and coniferous trees
- Rich soil, diverse species, and a mix of canopy, understory, and forest floor habitats
Changes to Terrestrial Ecosystems
- Human activities alter ecosystems:
- Clear-cutting, prescribed burns, and succession
- Changes to nutrient cycling, decomposition, and species diversity
- Forestry practices:
- Slash and burn: clearing and burning to create agricultural land
- Clear-cutting: removing all trees for timber, followed by replanting
- Prescribed burns: controlled fires to promote grasslands and biodiversity
- Succession: natural changes to ecosystems over time
Aquatic Ecosystems in Alberta
- Freshwater ecosystems: lakes, rivers, and wetlands
- Littoral zone: shallow water, plants, and high productivity
- Limnetic zone: open water, plankton, and photosynthesis
- Profundal zone: deep water, low oxygen, and decomposers
- Benthic zone: sediment and detritus, supporting decomposers and bottom-dwellers
- Eutrophication: nutrient-rich lakes with high productivity and low oxygen
- Pollution: sources include sewage, disease-causing organisms, dissolved minerals, and thermal energy
Indicators of Water Quality
- Bacteria count: measures water quality and potential health risks
- Dissolved oxygen: measures water quality and suitability for aquatic life
- Biological oxygen demand (BOD): measures oxygen consumed by decomposers
Key Terms
- Biotic potential: the maximum number of offspring a species can produce
- Limiting factors: abiotic or biotic factors that prevent population growth
- Density-independent limiting factors: factors that affect populations regardless of size
- Density-dependent limiting factors: factors that affect populations due to their size
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore the concept of the biosphere as a closed system, understanding the one-way flow of energy and its eventual loss as heat. Based on Chapter 1 of Nelson Textbook, pages 6-19.
