Unit 2
Name:
Chapter 3: ECOSYSTEMS: WHAT ARE THEY AND HOW DO THEY WORK?
1. Summarize the importance of insects in the earth’s biodiversity.
2. Five “spheres” make up the biosphere; atmosphere, troposphere, stratosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. Describe them.
3. List and distinguish among five levels of organization of matter that are the focus of the realm of ecology.
4. What are the four types of organisms that can be classified as microbes?
5. Briefly describe how the sun, gravity, and nutrient cycles sustain life on Earth.
6. Define abiotic and biotic components of an ecosystem. What are Biomes?
7. Compare limiting factors in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Summarize the law of tolerance – relate it to the LAWN concept
(light, air, water and nutrients) for two biomes.
8. Define Producers and the different types of Consumers. Distinguish among scavengers, detritus feeders and decomposers.
9. Distinguish between aerobic respiration and anaerobic respiration. Distinguish between photosynthesis and chemosynthesis
10. Distinguish among three subtypes of biodiversity. What is the earth’s biodiversity and what does it do?
11. Distinguish between an open system and a closed system. Compare the flow of matter and the flow of energy through the
biosphere. Describe the “pyramid of energy flow”.
12. Describe the difference between Gross Primary Productivity (GPP), and net primary productivity (NPP). What does the planet’s
NPP limit? What effect have humans had on the total potential NPP for the planet? What is gross primary productivity (GPP)?
13. Explain why there are not may tigers in the world and why they are vulnerable to premature extinction because of human activities.
14. Evaluate which ecosystems show the highest average net primary productivity and which contribute most to global net primary
productivity.
15. Briefly describe the six soil layers that make up the soil horizons/profile. Distinguish between Desert, grassland and forest soil.
How is the temperate forest soil different from tropical rainforest and why.
16. Describe the differences between sand, silt and clay (put them in order based on smallest to largest.) Define infiltration, leaching,
percolation and permeability; and how the various concentrations of sand, clay and silt relate to these terms.
17. Describe a fertile soil. In doing so, be sure to refer to soil texture, porosity, loam, and acidity Explain how soil is formed. Include
and define weathering in your answer.
18. Briefly describe the Water Cycle, Carbon Cycle, Nitrogen Cycle, Phosphorus Cycle, and Sulfur Cycle. Include the general human
effect on all the Nutrient Cycles
19. Describe the Gaia hypothesis and describe two examples that support the concept.
20. Briefly describe the historical development and distinguishing features of three approaches ecologists use to learn about
ecosystems: field research, laboratory research, and systems analysis.
United Nation Questions
Chapter 3: Ecosystems: What Are They and How Do They Work?
1. Describe a typical food web for your country.
2. What type of gross and net primary productivity is found in your country?
3. Describe some producers, herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, decomposers, and scavengers in your country.
4. What are some of the human based effects on the major nutrient cycles in your country?
5. Are there any types of research being used to study its ecosystems in your country?