Chapter 3: Biosphere
3.1
1. Review- Describe the three basic methods of ecological research
2. Apply Concepts- Give an example of an ecological phenomenon that could be studied by modeling.
Explain why modeling would be useful
3. Practice- Suppose you want to know if the water in a certain stream is safe to drink. Which ecological
method(s) would you use in your investigation. Explain you reasoning and outline your procedure.
3.2
1. Review- What are the two primary sources of energy the power living systems
2. Pose Questions- Propose a question that a scientist might ask about the variety of organisms found
around deep sea vents
3. Build Vocab- the word autotroph comes from the Greek words autos, meaning “self,” and trophe,
meaning “food or nourishment.” Knowing this, what do you think the Greek word heteros, as in
heterotroph, means.
3.3
1. Review- Energy is said to flow in a “one-way stream” through an ecosystem. In your own words,
describe what that means
Form a Hypothesis- Explain what you think might happen to the food chain on pg 65 if there were a
sudden decrease in the number of crayfish
2. Review- On average, what proportion of the energy in an ecosystem is transferred from on trophic
level to the next, where does that energy go
Calculate- Draw an energy pyramid for a five step food chain. If 100% of the energy is available at the
first trophic level, what percent is available at the highest trophic level
3.4
1. Review- By what two processes is water cycled from land to the atmosphere
Sequence- Describe one way in which water from Lake Superior may make one complete cycle through
the atmosphere and make it back to Lake Superior
2. Review- Why do living organisms need nutrients
Predict- Based on your knowledge of the carbon cycle, what do you think might happen if humans
were to continue to clear and burn vast areas of forests for building
3. Explanation- Describe how oxygen moves through the biosphere as part of the carbon cycle. Include a
description of the various forms that oxygen takes.
Ch 4 Ecosystems and Communities
4.1
1. Review- What is climate
Infer- Why do you think temperatures at the top of mountains are generally much cooler than at sea
level
2. Review- What are the main factors that determine climate
Relate Cause and Effect- Explain what would likely happen to global climate if there was a dramatic
decrease in greenhouse gases trapped in the atmosphere.
4.2
1.Review- What is a niche
Use Analogies- How is a niche like a profession. In ecological terms, describe your niche.
2.Review- What is symbiosis. What are the major type of symbiosis.
Explain- Bacteria living in a cow’s stomach help the cow break down the cellulose in grass, gaining
nutrients in the process. Is this an example of commensalism or mutualism- explain.
Apply Concepts- What is the difference between a predator and a parasite- explain
3.Review- What is a keystone species.
Infer- How might a dramatic decrease in vegetation lead to a decrease in a predator species.
4.3
1. Review- What effects do organisms do pioneer species have on an environment undergoing
primary succession
2. Explain- why do communities change over time
3. Apply Concepts- When a whale or other large marine mammal dies and falls to the ocean floor,
different waves of decomposers and scavengers feed off the carcass until nothing remains- do
you think this is an example of succession- explain
4.4
1. Review- List the major biomes and describe on characteristic of each
Compare and Contrast- Choose two very different biomes- for each select a common plant and animal
and compare how the plants and animals have adapted to their biomes
2.Sequence- Imagine you are hiking up a mountain in the temperate forest biome. Describe how the
plant life might change as you climb toward the summit
4.5
1. Compare and Contrast What are some ways in which life in an aphotic zone might differ from
life in a photic zone
2. Apply Concepts What is a wetland and why are they important
3. Predict How might a dam upriver affect an estuary at the river’s mouth
4. Review List the three major marine ecological zones and give two abiotic factors for each.
Ch 5 Populations
5.1
1.Review When do populations grow exponentially
Apply Concepts Why does exponential growth show a characteristic J-shaped curve
2.Review What is the characteristic shape of a logistic growth curve
Explain Describe when logistic growth occurs
Form a Hypothesis What factors might cause the carrying capacity of a population to change.
5.2
1 Review List three density dependent limiting factors
2 Review What is a density independent limiting factor
Apply Concepts Give three example of a density independent limiting factor that could severely limit
the growth of a population of bats living in a cave
5.3
1 Review Describe the general trends of human population growth over time
2 Review why do populations in different countries grow at different rates
Form an Opinion Are age structures diagrams useful in predicting future population trends
3 Visual Thinking Describe the changes in human population predicted by the graph on pg 119. How do
you think those changes will affect society
Ch 6 Human in the Biosphere
6.1
1 Review List the three primary types of human activities that have affected regional and global
environments. For each, give one benefit and one environmental cost
2 Review What is sustainable development and how can it help minimize the negative impacts of human
activities
Apply Concepts In addition to filtering water, wetlands provide flood control by absorbing excess
water. Explain how society would provide these services if the ecosystem could not.
3 Description What signs of growth do you see in your community? Write a paragraph telling how this
growth might affect local environments.
6.2
1 Review What causes soul erosion? Why is soil erosion a problem
Apply Concepts What are 3 ways in which the agricultural and forestry industries can improve the
sustainability of soil
2 Review How is fresh water both a renewable and a limited resource
Explain why are some pollutants more harmful to organisms at higher trophic levels
Propose a Solution Pick one source of water pollution and describe a way in which we can reduce its
effect.
6.3
1 Review Describe the different components of global biodiversity
2 Review What are the major threats to biodiversity
3 Review What is the goal of a species survival plan
Form an Opinion Do you think that the hot spot strategy is a good one- explain
6.4
1 Review Why is the ozone layer important to living things
Explain What are the major types of physical and biological evidence for climate change
Propose a Solution Suggest one solution for the fisheries problem. Your solution can be at the
international, national, regional, or individual level. Explain how it would help, and what challenges you
see in implementing it.
2 Interdependence Refer back to the carbon cycle. Describe how extensive burning of fossil fuels is
affection other reservoirs of carbon in the atmosphere.