Finals Preparation and Assignments Overview

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Questions and Answers

What occurs in an ecosystem when NEP is less than 0?

The ecosystem stabilizes its carbon levels

The ecosystem releases CO2 and becomes a carbon source (correct)

The ecosystem has no net change in carbon capture

The ecosystem absorbs CO2 and becomes a carbon sink

Which nutrient is typically the limiting factor for NPP in the ocean?

Iron

Phosphate (correct)

Potassium

Calcium

How do legumes increase nitrogen availability in the soil?

By releasing enzymes that break down nitrates

By utilizing atmospheric nitrogen directly

By housing nitrogen-fixing bacteria in root nodules (correct)

By forming symbiotic relationships with mycorrhizal fungi

What is a common adaptation of plants to access limiting nutrients in the soil?

Developing root hairs to increase surface area Signup and view all the answers

What role do nitrogen-fixing bacteria play in the ecosystem?

They fix atmospheric nitrogen gas into ammonia Signup and view all the answers

What is the due date for the Panda assignment?

End of day on Thurs Signup and view all the answers

Which statistical analysis is mentioned for comparing data trends?

ANOVA with Tukey HSD test Signup and view all the answers

When is the review session scheduled?

Dec 18th at 4 pm SCST 325/zoom Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of the assignment involving data collection?

Monitoring calorie intake and expenditure Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following assignments is due on the same day as the Panda assignment?

Energetics assignment Signup and view all the answers

What is the format required for submitting the energy budget assignment?

Word or PDF Signup and view all the answers

How long is Test #4 scheduled for?

1 hour Signup and view all the answers

When must data collection be completed by?

Before Dec 6th Signup and view all the answers

What nutrient typically limits primary production in freshwater ecosystems?

Phosphates Signup and view all the answers

What process describes the enrichment of water bodies with nutrients that promotes plant growth?

Eutrophication Signup and view all the answers

Which micronutrient was shown to limit primary production in the Sargasso Sea?

Iron Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of increased fertilizer runoff into waterways?

Formation of dead zones Signup and view all the answers

In what year were phosphates banned in all detergents in the USA?

1993 Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of light that strikes Earth is utilized in photosynthesis?

0.1% Signup and view all the answers

What are 'dead zones' characterized by?

Low or no oxygen levels Signup and view all the answers

What is the formula for calculating Net Primary Production (NPP)?

NPP = GPP - Respiration Signup and view all the answers

What is primarily responsible for the increase in ocean dead zones?

Increased use of fertilizers Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors influences Net Primary Productivity (NPP)?

Sunlight Signup and view all the answers

Why is it suggested that we may be at the point of no return regarding climate change?

Irreversible loss of polar ice caps Signup and view all the answers

What constitutes the Gross Primary Production (GPP) of an ecosystem?

Total carbon fixed by autotrophs Signup and view all the answers

If Net Ecosystem Production (NEP) is greater than zero, what does that indicate?

The ecosystem acts as a carbon sink Signup and view all the answers

What was one reason for the increase in NPP in terrestrial ecosystems from 1982 to 1999?

Decreased cloud cover Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary limitation affecting primary production in terrestrial ecosystems?

Annual precipitation Signup and view all the answers

What was the total global Net Primary Production (NPP) fixed per year?

105 Gt carbon Signup and view all the answers

What primarily influences global climate patterns?

Solar energy and Earth's movement in space Signup and view all the answers

Which component is NOT one of the four major physical components of climate?

Natural disasters Signup and view all the answers

How does an increase in CO2 levels affect Earth's temperature?

It causes more infrared radiation to be re-emitted back to Earth Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of warming climates on species distributions?

Species will experience poleward and/or higher altitude shifts Signup and view all the answers

What role does solar energy play in the Earth's ecosystems?

It establishes temperature variations and global air currents Signup and view all the answers

What is inferred from the greenhouse effect?

It keeps Earth warmer than its position from the sun would suggest Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the biosphere?

The biosphere is defined as the sum of all ecosystems and landscapes on Earth Signup and view all the answers

What impact does solar energy have on global currents?

It impacts both air movements and water currents Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Finals Are Approaching

Important dates are noted for upcoming final.

Working Groups

A list of names for working groups is provided.

Announcements

Test #4 is scheduled for Thursday, December 19th, and is 1 hour long.
Four articles are available; students must read one and answer a question.
A review session is scheduled for Wednesday, December 18th, at 4 pm in SCST 325.
The Panda assignment is due Thursday, and this assignment should be submitted as a word or pdf document.
The Energetics assignment also due Thursday, and should be submitted as a word or pdf document.
No office hours during exam week.

Energy Budget Assignment

Students must track 3 days for 3 weeks of the fall semester to monitor their daily calorie intake, and carbohydrate, fat, and protein consumption.
The intake of calories used during this time should optionally be recorded and compared to recommended amounts.
Students can use a website/app and others to collect the data for the project.
Data trends should be analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests.
Graphs and formatted comments regarding results are to be submitted as a word or pdf document.

Community, Ecosystem, and Global Energy Flow

This unit covers climate differences, trophic structure, ecosystem energy flow, energy limitations to primary production, and energy transfer between trophic structures.
Global climate change effects are also covered.

Global Ecology

The biosphere encompasses all ecosystems on Earth.
Global ecology studies energy and material influences on organisms.

Solar Energy

Solar energy warms the atmosphere, land, and bodies of water.
Variations in solar energy intensity impact temperature variations, global air currents, and water currents, as well as evaporation patterns.

Earth's Climate

Earth's climate is influenced by its latitude and seasonality.
Major components of climate include temperature, precipitation, sunlight, and wind.
Global climate patterns are determined by solar energy and Earth's movement in space.

Global Patterns of Surface Ocean Circulation

The Gulf Stream is part of the Subtropical Gyre and Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC).
In a warming world, the AMOC weakens, slowing the Gulf Stream.

Earth's Changing Climate

Greenhouse gases (CO2, H2O) absorb infrared radiation, increasing global temperatures.
Increased CO2 levels lead to more re-emission of infrared radiation back to Earth.

Global Average Temperatures

Data from Berkeley Earth displays global average temperatures.
The most recent year’s data is available.

Species Distribution Shifts

Poleward and higher-altitude shifts/range contractions are linked to warming climate.
Use graphs to show current and predicted ranges of American beech.

Primary Production

Primary production is the creation of new organic matter by autotrophs.
Photosynthesis, a process that utilizes sunlight, is involved in the conversion of carbon dioxide and water into organic materials.

How Much Light is Used in Photosynthesis

Light striking Earth averages 600-650 joules/(m² x sec).
Only a small percentage of this light is utilized in photosynthesis.
A tiny fraction of the light is used to create plant tissue organic materials.

Primary Production (Chemical Energy)

Gross primary production (GPP) measures the fixed carbon by autotrophs in an ecosystem.
Net primary production (NPP) assesses the energy captured by autotrophs leading to increases in plant biomass.
Respiration influences NPP.
NPP fluctuates spatially and temporally.

Global Patterns of NPP

The global net primary production is around 105 Gt of carbon fixed per year.
Terrestrial NPP is 426 g carbon/m²/yr, while marine NPP is 140 g carbon/m²/yr.
Marine ecosystems contribute 46% of the total NPP.

Net Primary Production (NPP) Factors

Factors that influence NPP include sunlight, temperature, water, and nutrients.

Primary Production in Terrestrial Ecosystems

NPP is linked to mean annual precipitation and average annual temperature.

Climate Change Effects on Production

NPP increased in terrestrial ecosystems between 1982 and 1999, driven mainly by decreased cloud cover over tropical forests.
Subsequent gains in NPP have been offset by recent droughts in the southern hemisphere.
Climate changes affect ecosystems’ carbon storage and emission status.

NPP of Different Biomes

A table shows the net primary productivity (NPP) of various biomes

Limiting Nutrients for Plant Growth

The limiting nutrients for plant growth include Nitrate, Nitrite, Ammonium, Phosphate, Iron, Calcium and Potassium.

Limiting Nutrients for NPP and Phytoplankton Growth

Graphs show the correlation between nutrient levels and phytoplankton density across different ecosystem sites.
Data originates from Ryther and Dunstan in the journal Science in 1971.

Terrestrial Habitats and Nitrogen

Nitrogen is often a limiting nutrient in terrestrial habitats.
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into NH3.
Legumes have symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria in root nodules to maintain nitrogen levels.

Plant Adaptations for Nutrient Acquisition

Some plants form mutualisms with nitrogen-fixing bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi to access limiting nutrients.
Root hairs increase surface area for nutrient absorption.
Enzymes aid in making limiting nutrients available.

Marine Ecosystems

Marine ecosystems often limited by nitrates.
Evidence shows coastal ocean/upwelling areas have higher nutrient levels.
Phytoplankton productivity data is presented in a map.

Limiting Micronutrient for Production

Experiments in the Sargasso Sea show micronutrient iron can limit primary production.
Data from Menzel and Ryther supports this in 1961.

Phosphate in Freshwater Ecosystems

Phosphate is a limiting nutrient in freshwater ecosystems.
The usage of phosphates in detergents has dramatically changed over the years.
Eutrophication is the enrichment by dissolved nutrients (e.g., phosphate) that stimulates the growth of aquatic plant life.

Eutrophication Effects on Ecosystems

Excess nutrients (from fertilizers or sewage) leads to eutrophication.
Algae blooms deplete oxygen, killing plants and animals.
Decomposition of dead plants also reduces oxygen levels.

Dead Zones in Oceans

Increased use of fertilizers and their runoff, coupled with rising ocean temperatures, contributes to eutrophication and dead zones (hypoxia/anoxia) in the oceans.
An illustration shows the increasing size and prevalence of such dead zones.
Runoff of fertilizers and sewage into watersheds is linked to rising dead zones.

Course Impact on Human Activity

Human impact on the immediate and global environments is a key concern.
Climate change impacts on living organisms and the environment should be examined.

Bonus Points and Assignment

Students' are challenged to find and analyze relevant research articles in renowned journals.
Students should submit citations and brief summaries to Canvas.

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Description

This quiz covers important dates and assignments as finals approach. Review essential information about upcoming tests, working groups, and important review sessions. Make sure to stay on top of your energy budget assignment and other tasks due by Thursday.