BSCS
Chapter 25
Change in Ecosystems
1. We are almost to the top of our hierarchy, the
biosphere, sometimes called Gaia. Within the biosphere
are major geographic areas called biomes. What are the
biomes defined by?
2. Later on you will be creating a climatogram in class
according to the biome you have chosen. What two
climatic factors will you be using?
3. The graph below shows a typical climatogram. What
do the axes represent? The numbers?
4. Create a chart with the following major terrestrial
biomes: tundra, taiga, deciduous forest, tropical
rainforest, savanna or other grassland, chaparral, desert.
Indicate temperature ranges, amount of rainfall, flora
and fauna in each. Describe hallmarks of each.
5. Choose one organism from one biome and describe
the adaptations it would need to live in another biome.
Predict the organism’s chances of survival in his new
biome.
6. Overall, what are the effects of altitude and latitude
on types of vegetation and animal life?
7. Identify the major aquatic biomes.
8. Differentiate between phytoplankton and
zooplankton. In the diagrams below, which are phyto?
A
B
9. In the diagram on the following page of the marine
ecological zones, label each zone (pink boxes) and
describe what type of organisms would reside there.
(Terms to be used: continental shelf, aphotic zone,
pelagic zone, photic zone, oceanic zone, neritic zone,
intertidal zone, abyssal zone, benthic zone.
10. What are the most probable limiting factors in each
marine zone?
11. Although your book does not discuss these, the
freshwater biomes are very important. They include
fresh water: lakes, rivers and ponds
freshwater or brackish: estuaries and wetlands
Bodies of fresh water are classified by their productivity:
a measure of how much biomass (dry organic matter) a
particular ecosystem gains over a period of time. Study
the diagram below.
How is it the same as the marine diagram? How is it
different? What types of organisms would exist in each
zone? What if it was a puddle of water?
12. In lakes an oligotrophic lake is one which is nutrient
poor, a young lake, deep, very clear. What types of
organisms would live here?
13. An eutrophic lake is one which is nutrient rich, old
lake, shallower, very murky. What types of organisms
would live here?
14. What type of “lake” is behind the school? On what
did you base your answer?
15. What is the importance of estuaries and wetlands?
16. What are some adaptations of plants that favor
dispersal? What role does dispersal play in ecosystem
changes?
17. What is an exotic species? Name one found in
Georgia.
18. Solenopsis invicta was imported from South America.
Note its distribution in the U.S. in the chart below.
In which state did it originate after being brought from
South America? Where is its population density centered
in the U.S.? Where has it spread?
19. The scanning electron micrograph below is of the
jaws of Solenopsis invicta.
mean little devil…
What type of chemical does this ant inject into humans
that elicits such pain? Remember your biochem!
(HCOOH) This is also found in the plant stinging nettles.
20. What is succession? What is a pioneer species?
Compare this to a climax community. What would that
look like?
21. Sometimes ecosystems are quite disturbed, by fire or
other natural disasters. This is a process called
secondary succession. Differentiate between primary
and secondary succession. Give examples of each.
21. Describe the impacts of humans on species dispersal
and succession in natural ecosystems.
22. According to your textbook authors, what are four of
the most significant services that ecosystems perform?
23. What is the “tragedy of the commons?” How can it
be avoided?
24. What is the current economic value ($) placed on a
year’s worth of ecosystem goods and services for the
human population of 6 billion people? How does this
compare to the world’s economic productivity?
25. Study the chart below.
What are the limiting factors to annual productivity
growth in the U.S. compared to China? In India
compared to China? What about the Latin American and
Middle Eastern countries?
26. What type of growth chart would the human
population be?
27. What limits are being placed on some countries in
terms of human population growth? Why or why not?
28. What are some of the human activities affecting our
biosphere?
29. Describe the following activities in terms of cause
and effect: What is the biggest contributor to each
cause?
global warming
ozone depletion
deforestation
acid rain
30. Look at Figure 25.31 on p. 675. What trends do you
see?
31. Read Theory on p. 676. Give your thoughts on the
Gaia Hypothesis. Give reasons for your thoughts.
32. Do some research about impacts of human activities
in your own Laurens County. What are they? What can
be done about them?
33. Your book does not address endangered species.
Differentiate between endangered and threatened
species. How do organisms get on these lists?
34. What is the latest legislation concerning the spotted
owl of California?
35. Identify some species that are on the endangered
species list of Georgia:
(http://www.endangeredspecie.com/
33. What is sustainability?