Reference no: EM133572611

Questions: Introduction to Ecosystem Dynamics and distribution

1. Consider the case study of hantavirus. How does this example illustrate the importance of understanding ecosystems an our interactions with the environment?
2. Define biogeography. Describe how abiotic factors determine biogeography. Be specific.
3. Define biome. What are some examples of a biome?
4. Define endemic species. Provide some examples of endemic species. To what region are they endemic?
5. How do abiotic factors influence photosynthesis on land differently than in aquatic systems?
6. Define ocean upwelling
7. define thermocline
8. Is there a thermocline in both freshwater and marine systems?
9. Describe fall versus spring turnover in freshwater systems. How is this similar to upwelling?
10. net primary productivity (NPP)
11. aboveground biomass
12. Name the three broad categories of ecosystems based on their general environment. Enter briefly describe each include examples of organisms that live there and location
13. How are the terms equilibrium, resistance, and resilience related when describing ecosystem function?
14. List and describe the trophic levels within a typical food chain.
15. How is a food web different from a food chain? Describe a grazing food web and a detritivore food web.
16. Describe autotroph. Differentiate between photoautotrophs and chemosynthetic organisms. Provide examples of each
17. Define assimilation. What happens to energy as it becomes incorporated at each trophic level?
18. How is the inefficiency of energy used by warm blooded animals related to the meat industry?
19. Describe an ecological pyramid. What is it used for?
20. Define biomagnification. Describe the classic study of DDT.
21. What are PCB's? What are their implications for natural communities?
22. Describe biomagnification currently occurring in seafood.
23. What is the relationship between biogeochemical cycles and living systems?
24. How are the eight major terrestrial biomes on earth characterized?
25. As you look at their location on the map provided in your reading, what do you notice about the biomes as you move from the equator towards the poles? Hint: you may want to look at precipitation and temperature values for each biome.
26. Create 10 PowerPoint slides. One slide for each terrestrial Biome and one slide each for freshwater and marine aquatic biomes. On each slide for terrestrial biomes provide the average temperature range and precipitation range for each an include at least 5 images of organisms found there. On each slide for aquatic biomes include the definition of the major zones and at least one image of an Organism found there. For each image of organisms from the terrestrial an aquatic Biome slides include the name of the Organism and the reference for the image. The title for each slide should represent the of Biome described.