11-Ecosystem Ecology 2
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary source of carbon in the atmosphere?

  • Human activities (correct)
  • Dissolution in ocean waters
  • Photosynthesis
  • Sedimentation

    • During which period did coal consumption dramatically increase?

  • The Renaissance
  • The Industrial Revolution (correct)
  • The Age of Exploration
  • The Enlightenment

    • What process contributes to the formation of carbonate ions in the ocean?

  • Transpiration
  • Respiration
  • Outgassing (correct)
  • Photosynthesis

    • What is the total amount of carbon released by human activities since the Industrial Revolution?

    <p>1.6 trillion tons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is the most significant reservoir of carbon in the world?

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

    What role does photosynthesis play in the carbon cycle?

    <p>Absorbs carbon from the atmosphere</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which carbon flux is directly influenced by human activities?

    <p>Biomass burning</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the amount of carbon found in marine biomass?

    <p>3 billion tons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the sampling effect refer to in diverse ecosystems?

    <p>Diverse systems tend to include highly productive species.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does complementarity enhance ecosystem productivity?

    <p>Through niche partitioning and positive interactions among species.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What impact does biodiversity loss have on ecosystem functions?

    <p>It reduces the stability of ecosystem function.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement is true about the impact of biodiversity on ecosystem functions?

    <p>The impact typically shows linear or saturating trends.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the insurance mechanism refer to in terms of biodiversity?

    <p>Some species maintain ecosystem function when others fail.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What key role does phosphorus play in living organisms?

    <p>Essential for constructing lipid membranes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about carbon in living organisms is true?

    <p>About 18-19% of an organism's mass is carbon.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What process converts inorganic carbon into organic forms?

    <p>Photosynthesis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is carbon primarily used by living organisms?

    <p>Source of energy through oxidation of organic compounds.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the two main forms of carbon found in the atmosphere?

    <p>Carbon dioxide and methane.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following processes contributes to the fluxes of carbon in ecosystems?

    <p>A combination of biological, chemical, and physical processes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of carbonate ions (CO32−) in aquatic systems?

    <p>They are important for maintaining pH and supporting aquatic life.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to carbon after it is incorporated into organic molecules through photosynthesis?

    <p>It can be released back into the environment through decomposition.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary source of carbon emissions from fossil fuels?

    <p>Dead organisms that have been buried for millions of years</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does biodiversity loss potentially affect ecosystem functions?

    <p>It can either positively or negatively impact ecosystem functions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of resource are fossil fuels classified as?

    <p>Non-renewable resource</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem function described as potentially being?

    <p>Saturating, linear, and accelerating</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did the experimental approaches at Cedar Creek focus on?

    <p>Ecosystem function saturation with plant diversity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to CO2 levels due to the burning of fossil fuels?

    <p>They increase, contributing to climate change.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the statement regarding the flux rate of carbon from land and ocean to the atmosphere?

    <p>The flux rate from land to the atmosphere is greater than from the ocean.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What ecological processes are controlled by ecosystem function?

    <p>Energy, nutrients, and organic matter fluxes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Ecosystem Ecology II: The Global Carbon Cycle

    • The global carbon cycle involves a continuous exchange of carbon between various reservoirs (atmosphere, oceans, land, living organisms, and fossil fuels).
    • The atmosphere is a major reservoir of carbon dioxide (CO2), and methane (CH4).
    • Oceans and fresh water also contain dissolved carbon dioxide and carbonate ions.
    • Aquatic systems also contain carbonate ions.

    Ecology in the News

    • Warming temperatures are melting permafrost, releasing CO2 and methane.
    • Scientists have revived ancient viruses from permafrost, highlighting potential dangers from thawing permafrost.
    • The thawing of permafrost due to climate change may pose a new threat to humans.
    • Researchers revived, and characterized, 13 new pathogens (zombie viruses) from Siberia that remained infectious despite spending many millennia.

    Phosphorus: Key Element in Constructing Lipid Membranes and Fueling Cells

    • Phosphorus is crucial for constructing lipid membranes and fueling cellular functions.
    • The phosphorus cycle involves various processes such as geologic uplift, weathering, runoff, decomposition, plant uptake, leaching, and consumption.
    • Phosphorus moves through the environment in various forms, including dissolved phosphate ions.

    Carbon: The Cool Kid of the Elements

    • Carbon is a fundamental element in all living organisms.
    • It has various allotropes (forms), including graphite, diamond, BC8, fullerenes, nanotubes, and graphene.
    • Carbon exists in many forms, in living organisms, and in the atmosphere as CO2.
    • Carbon forms the basis of all organic molecules.

    Global Carbon Cycle

    • Carbon is fixed from the atmosphere by primary producers through photosynthesis.
    • The formula for photosynthesis is: 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2 (carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen).
    • Much of the energy organisms use to fuel metabolic activities comes from the oxidation of organic carbon compounds (e.g. glucose).
    • The formula for oxidation of glucose is: C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + ATP, (glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water + energy).
    • The global carbon cycle includes biological, chemical, and physical processes.
    • Carbon in the atmosphere is largely in the form of CO2 and CH4.

    Industrial Revolution

    • The industrial revolution (1760-1820) involved significant increases in coal consumption.
    • This period of time released 1.6 trillion tons of Carbon into the atmosphere.

    Learning Catalytics

    • One possible cause of increased atmospheric CO2 over the years is fossil fuel burning.

    Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function

    • Ecosystem function involves ecological processes that regulate energy, nutrient, and organic matter fluxes.
    • Biodiversity and ecosystem functions are related in complex ways.

    Experimental Approaches

    • Biodiversity experiments at Cedar Creek have investigated the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem function.
    • Biodiversity experiments show a correlation between biodiversity and drought resistance in grasslands.

    Potential Mechanisms

    • Mechanisms influencing the biodiversity-ecosystem function relationship include sampling effect, complementarity, and insurance.
    • Sampling effect (species selection) occurs when diverse systems tend to include highly productive species.
    • Complementarity or niche partitioning involves positive interactions amongst species.
    • Insurance occurs when some species maintain function even when others fail.

    Overall Conclusions

    • Loss of biodiversity decreases the efficiency of resource use, biomass production, and decomposition.
    • Biodiversity increase enhances the stability of ecosystem functions.
    • The relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functions is typically linear or saturating, where diverse communities tend to be more productive because of high productivity species and differences in functional traits.

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    Related Documents

    Ecosystem Ecology II: Global Carbon Cycle PDF

    Description

    Explore the intricate global carbon cycle and its reservoirs, from the atmosphere to oceans and land. Discover the impact of climate change on permafrost and emerging pathogens, as well as the significance of phosphorus in biological systems. This quiz delves into critical interactions within ecosystems.

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