Name Date Period

Ecology UnitANCHORS Describe ecological levels of organization in the biosphere

o Describe the levels of ecological organization (i.e., organism, population, community, ecosystem, biome, and biosphere)

o Describe characteristic biotic and abiotic components of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems

Describe interactions and relationships in an ecosystemo Describe how energy flows through an ecosystem (e.g., food chains, food

webs, energy pyramids)o Describe biotic interactions in an ecosystem (e.g., competition, predation,

symbiosis)o Describe how matter recycles through an ecosystem (i.e., water cycle,

carbon cycle, oxygen cycle, and nitrogen cycle)o Describe how ecosystems change in response to natural and human

disturbances (e.g. climate changes, introduction of nonnative species, pollution, fires)

o Describe the effects of limiting factors on population dynamics and potential species extinction

VOCABULARY

Abiotic A term that describes a nonliving factor in an ecosystem.Agriculture The artificial cultivation of food, fiber, and other goods by the

systematic growing and harvesting of various organisms.Aquatic A term that describes an organism associated with a water

environment.Biochemical Conversion

The changing of organic matter into other chemical forms such as fuels.

Biogeochemical Cycles

The movement of abiotic factors between the living and nonliving components within ecosystems; also known as nutrient cycles (i.e., water cycle, carbon cycle, oxygen cycle, and nitrogen cycle).

Biome A large area or geographical region with distinct plant and animal groups adapted to that environment.

Biosphere The zone of life on Earth; sum total of all ecosystems on Earth.Biotic A term that describes a living or once‐living organism in an

ecosystem.Community (Ecological)

Different populations of organisms interacting in a shared environment.

Competition When individuals or groups of organisms compete for similar resources such as territory, mates, water, and food in the same environment.

Consumer (Ecological)

An organism that obtains energy by feeding on other organisms or their remains.

Decomposer An organism that obtains nutrients by consuming dead and decaying organic matter which allows nutrients to be accessible to other organisms.

Ecology The study of the relationships between organisms and their interactions with the environment.

Ecosystem A system composed of organisms and nonliving components of an environment.

Endemic SpeciesA species that is found in its originating location and is generally restricted to that geographic area.

Endosymbiosis A theorized process in which early eukaryotic cells were formed from simpler prokaryotes.

Energy Pyramid A model that illustrates the biomass productivity at multiple trophic levels in a given ecosystem.

Energy Transformation

A process in which energy changes from one form to another form while some of the energy is lost to the environment.

Environment The total surroundings of an organism or a group of organisms.Food Chain A simplified path illustrating the passing of potential chemical

energy (food) from one organism to another organism.Food Web A complex arrangement of interrelated food chains illustrating the

flow of energy between interdependent organisms.Habitat An area that provides an organism with its basic needs for survival.Isolating Mechanisms

Features of behaviors, morphology, or genetics which serve to prevent mating or breeding between two different species (e.g., temporal isolation, in which individuals are active at different times of the day, seasons, or mating periods; ecological isolation, in which individuals only mate in their specific habitat; behavioral isolation, when there are no sexual cues between representatives of the species; mechanical isolation, when there is no sperm transfer during an attempted mating; and gametic incompatibility, when there is sperm transfer without fertilization occurring). If mating can take place, there are four factors that prevent hybrid viability: zygotic mortality (fertilization but no zygote),hybrid non-viability (embryo is not viable), hybrid sterility (resulting adult is sterile), and hybrid breakdown (first generation is viable but future generations are not).

Limiting Factor Chemical or physical factor that limits the existence, growth, abundance, or distribution of an individual organism or a population.

Nonnative Species

A species normally living outside a distribution range that has been introduced through either deliberate or accidental human activity; also can be known as introduced, invasive, alien, non-indigenous, or exotic.

Population A group of individuals of the same species living in a specific geographical area and reproducing.

18 – 1 Introduction to Ecology Pages 359-362

Ecology – study of interactions between organisms and the living and non-living components of their environment

18-2 Ecology of Organisms Pages 363-365

A. Ecosystem Components

1. Abiotic – the nonliving components of an ecosystem

Levels of organization:

1. Species – a group of organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring

2. Population – groups of individuals that are the same species and living in the same area

3. Community – all of the living populations in an area

4. Ecosystem - all the populations living together with the nonliving environment (living + nonliving components)

5. Biomes – groups of similar ecosystems that have similar climates and similar communities

6. Biosphere - combines all the parts of the earth in which life exists

All species in a given area are interdependent, meaning that any change in the surrounding of that area can spread through a network of interactions and

affect organisms that appear far removed from the change

Sunlight (affects photosynthesis), temperature (affects metabolism), water supply, oxygen supply, minerals, soil/rocks, pH

2. Biotic – the living components of an ecosystem

Ex: Plants, Animals, Protists, Fungi, Bacteria

B. The Niche

1. Habitat - the physical area in which an organism lives (includes climate, topography, soil and water chemistry, plant and animal life, etc.)

2. Niche – the way of life of a species (includes its habitat, feeding habits, reproductive behavior, etc.)

18-3 Energy Transfer Pages 366-369

A. Producers (Autotrophs): organisms that can capture energy and use it to make organic molecules (ex. glucose, food, etc.)

Can capture energy from the sun (solar energy) or from chemosynthesis and store it in the bonds of sugars, making it available to the rest of the community.

Examples – plants, algae (protists), some bacteria

B. Consumers (Heterotrophs): Rely on other organisms for energy and nutrients by using oxygen to break bonds in sugar and release its energy through cellular respiration

Types of Consumers:

1. Herbivores: plant -eaters

2. Carnivores: meat-eaters

3. Omnivores: combination-eaters

4. Detritivores and decomposers: recycle nutrients within the ecosystem by breaking down nonliving organic matter

C. Energy Flow

When one organisms eats another, molecules are metabolized and energy is transferred

Trophic level : indicates the organism’s position in a sequence of energy transfers

Producers always occupy the 1st trophic level of any community.

Food Chain

linear series of feeding relationships

Food Web

Sets of interrelated food chains

In general, only about 10% of the energy available at any trophic level is passed to the next; most of the rest is LOST to the environment as heat.

List two food chains from the food web on the previous page:

1)

2)

What would happen if all of the plants were removed?

What would happen if all of the hawks were removed?

18-4 Ecosystem Recycling Pages 371-374

As energy and matter flow through an ecosystem, matter must be recycled and reused. These substances pass between the living and non-living worlds though biogeochemical cycles.

A. Water Cycle:

Ground water - water found in soil or in underground formations of porous rock

Transpiration - process by which water evaporates from leaves of plants in terrestrial ecosystems

Evaporation - adds water to the atmosphere (liquid to gas)

Precipitation - the process by which water leaves the atmosphere

B. Carbon Cycle:

Carbon is the building block of all living things

Fossil fuels - Carbon-rich fuel from ancient animals and plants

Photosynthesis - Energy (sun)+ Water + Carbon dioxideà Glucose + Oxygen

Cellular Respiration - Glucose+ Oxygenà carbon dioxide + water + Energy (ATP)

Decomposition - Breakdown of matter by bacteria and fungi

C. Nitrogen Cycle:

Organisms need nitrogen to make proteins and nucleic acids

Most plants can only use nitrogen in the form of nitrate

Nitrogen fixation - process of converting nitrogen gas into nitrate; done by bacteria/lightning

Denitrification - bacteria break down decaying organisms and release the nitrogen they contain back into the atmosphere

D. Phosphorous Cycle:

Phosphorous is a component of DNA, RNA, and molecules that store energy (ATP)

Phosphorous cycle is the movement of phosphorous from the environment to organisms, and then back to the environment

Phosphorus is mainly found in water, soil, rocks, and sediments (no gas state)

Name Date PeriodX BIO ECOLOGY STUDY GUIDE – CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 18 – INTRODUCTION TO ECOLOGY

ecology interdependence biosphere ecosystem

community population biotic factor abiotic factor

1. You go on a field trip to a farm, using the terms from the word bank above, identify the various units below:

a. The herd of cattle that live on the farm (2 answers): population/biotic

b. The amount of rainfall that the farm receives: abiotic

c. The entire farm, including livestock and the soil, sunlight, etc.: ecosystem

d. The chickens, ducks, horses, cows, etc. (2 answers): community/biotic

2. Distinguish between a habitat and a niche.Habitat: physical area in which an organism livesNiche: way of life of a species, includes its habitat, feeding habits,

reproduction habits

3. According to the graph on pg. 367, which ecosystem has the greatest net primary productivity?

Tropical rain forest

The least? Open ocean & desert

4. How does a food chain differ from a food web?Food chain: specific sequence in which organisms obtain energyFood web: all of the interrelated food chains in an ecosystem

5. What would happen to the other organisms in the food web below if you removed the grass (producer)?

They would not survive because there is no primary food source6. What percentage of the total energy consumed in one trophic level is available to

the next? 10%

Why is this so low? because some avoid getting eaten, some molecules can’t be used, E used by prey can’t be used by predators, no transformation is 100% efficient.

7. What five substances pass through biogeochemical cycles?Water, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus

8. Label the diagram below with the following terms: evaporation(2X), transpiration, precipitation (2x), runoff, movement of H2O vapor by wind:

What is being cycled in the diagram?

Water

9. What are the two main processes of the carbon cycle?

Photosynthesis and respiration

How are these related? (remember way back to chapters 6 & 7)products of one are the reactants of the other

10. What contributes to the increase in atmospheric carbon?burning fossil fuels and other organic matter

11. How does atmospheric nitrogen get converted into a useable form? Nitrogen Fixation

What organisms do this? Nitrogen - Fixing bacteria and lightning

12. Why is phosphorus an important material to animals?it is essential to animals so they can form bones, teeth, and molecules (DNA, RNA)

13. Where is phosphorus mainly found? in rocks

PrecipitationEvaporation

Transpiratio

EvapPreci

Movement of H2O by wind

19-1 Understanding Populations 19-1 Understanding Populations Pages 381-384Pages 381-384

A. Population ecology : studies changes in population size and the factors that regulate populations over time

B. Populations are affected by three things: size, density, and dispersion1. Population size : number of individuals2. Population density : the number of individuals of a species per unit area

or volume (Ex: number of earthworms per cubic meter of soil)3. Population dispersion : how the population is spread out in a given area

(Ex. Clumps, uniform, or random)

19.2 Measuring Populations Pages 385-389

A. Population Growth Rate

Determined by the following equation:

Growth rate = rate of individuals gained – rate of individuals lostor

(birth rate + immigration rate) – (death rate + emigration rate)

Growing populations have a positive growth rate; shrinking populations have a negative growth rate.

B. Exponential growth model: the rate of population growth under ideal conditions

As the population size grows, more individuals are added during each interval

Graphing this data gives a J-shape curve Exponential growth can NOT continue

indefinitely Eventually, one or more environmental

factors will limit growth Ex: space and food supply

C. Logistic growth model: idealized population growth that is slowed by limiting factors as the population size increases

Results in formation of an S-shape curve

Carrying capacity (K) - maximum population size that a particular environment can sustain

K varies depending on the species and the resources available

Limiting Factors to growth = predators, parasites, food sources, water & space

Emphasizes that resources are finite At low populations, resources are abundant and the population is able to

grow nearly exponentially Population stabilizes at the carrying capacity when the birth rate equals the

death rate

Name Date PeriodX BIO ECOLOGY STUDY GUIDE – CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 19 – POPULATIONS

1. According to the graph on the right, during which time period (1, 2, 3, or 4) does:

a) the population show negative growth? ___4____

b) the population show positive growth? 1 (little) & 2 (most)

c) the population show no growth? __3__

2. How is population growth rate determined?By subtracting death rate from birth rate GR = BR - DR

3. What four processes determines a population’s growth rate? Identify which two add individuals and which two subtract individuals from the population.

Births (+) Deaths (-) Immigration (+) Emigration (-)

4. Which of the following is true in the exponential model of population growth?A) Population growth continues indefinitely.B) Population growth stops at the carrying capacity.C) Population growth increases and then decreases.D) The immigration rate falls with increasing population size.

5. On the diagram below, label the following: # of individuals, time, carrying capacity, exponential growth, logistic growth.

A Exponential Which line is more typical of a population in nature? B

B Logistic Why? Because it depicts the carrying capacity of

the ecosystem

Why is growth initially so slow?

Because the population is so small and only a few females

are producing young

20-1 Species Interactions Pages 399-404

Carrying

# of

Indi

vidu

als

Time

# of

in

divi

dual

s

A. Communities contain interacting populations of many species

B. 3 major types – predation, competition, and symbiosis

1. Predation - predator eats all or part of an individual à the prey

Adaptations of predators: venom, flesh-cutting teeth, sticky webs, speed

Adaptations of prey: camouflage, chemical defenses (plants & animals), mimicry (resembles another species) , thorns, spines

2. Competition - Limited resources force competition among living things in same niche

All competition almost always produces a winner and a loser (dies out)

Ex: two species of paramecium kept in same culture…one species out competed the other.

3. Symbiosis = “together living”

Any relationship where 2 species live in close association with each other

3 main types of symbiotic relationships: mutualism, parasitism, commensalism

Mutualism (“win-win”): both benefit

ex: sea anemone and clown fish. Clown fish gets a protected home and the anemone gets a defender when attacked

Parasitism (“win-lose”): one benefits at the harm of the other (host)

ex: Tapeworm inside a human. Tapeworm absorbs digested food of host, the host’s cells starved for nutrition.

Commensalism (“win-no harm/help”): one benefits while the other is neither harmed nor helped

ex: Barnacles on a whale. Barnacles benefit by motion of whale and the

movement of food particles over them. No benefit or harm comes to the whale.

Directions: Complete the following graphic organizer.

Directions: Identify the interaction being described.

Community InteractionsInteractions among

organisms that help to shape the ecosystem in which they

live

More than one organism tries to use a resource at the same time, in the same place

Predation____________________________________________________________

_________

Relationship in which two

species live close together

One species benefits, the

other is harmed

Both species benefit

One species benefits, the

other is unaffected

_______________________1.Today I am in the central part of Africa. I spent the day observing the warthog and the oxpecker (a species of bird). The oxpecker was observed on the backs of the warthogs, where it appears to be feeding on something. On closer observation of the skin of a tranquilized warthog and later the stomach contents of an oxpecker, it appears that the oxpecker is eating ticks from the skin of the warthog.

_______________________2.Today I am in Tanzania, located in East Africa. I spent most of today observing grazing cape buffalo. I noticed that cattle egrets (a species of bird) were concentrated in those areas where cape buffalo were grazing. Upon closer observation, it was seen that the cattle egrets were feeding on insects that were flushed from the vegetation by the grazing cape buffalo.

_______________________3.Today I am in South America. I have been observing tomato hornworm caterpillars for a few days now. A braconid wasp was observed paralyzing the caterpillar. The wasp then deposited its eggs on the caterpillar.

_______________________4.Today I am in Yellowstone National Park to estimate the size of the gray wolf population in the park. I saw four wolves successfully kill a deer. They swiftly separated her from the small heard and attacked her from two different directions. The rest of the deer herd ran away to safety. The wolves immediately began eating the deer.

_______________________5.Today I am in Costa Rica. I spent the day observing a tree called the bull’s horn acacia. A certain species of stinging ant appears to live in the hollow thorns of these trees. The ants are observed feeding on sugar produced by nectarines on the tree and also on the protein-rich swellings called Beltian bodies that grow at the tips of leaflets. The ants are observed attacking anything that touches the tree.

_______________________6.Today I am located off the coast of Southern Florida, where I have been scuba diving for a few days in order to observe sharks. Remoras (a species of fish) are observed travelling attached to a shark. They appear to feed on scraps of food dropped by the shark as it eats. The shark does not seem to notice the presence of the remoras.

_______________________7.Today I am scuba diving in the coastal area of Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska. I observed sea otters eating sea urchins. It was amazing to see the sea otter pick up the spiny sea urchins in their paws and crush the shells with their blunt teeth. The soft body was eaten and the spiny shell was quickly discarded.

_______________________8.Today I am located at my lab in upstate New York. I have been observing a fir tree found in the forest behind my lab for a few weeks. The tree seems to be dying and a species of mistletoe appears to be growing on the fir tree.

20-2 Patterns in Communities (Succession) Pages 407-410

A. Succession : a progressive, predictable ecological change in a community over

time

A. Primary Succession: Begins with no remnants of the previous community

Pioneer species are first to colonize barren land

– Ex: lichen (fungus and algae) turn rock into soil, turn N2 gas into useful nitrogen forms, and add organic material to the soil

B. Secondary

Succession: occurs after a major event disturbs a community (fire, flood, earthquake, hurricane, human activity like forest clearing or farming)

SOIL survives the disturbance, plants re-colonize the area faster than in primary succession, herbivores can move in and make use of the food supply. Then, carnivores can move in

If ecosystem is healthy, it may be restored to its natural state prior to disturbance (the “climax” community) BUT sometimes the impact is so traumatic, a full recovery through succession is not possible

• In 1833, volcanic island of Krakatau completely destroyed by an eruption – left completely barren

• 2 years later, grasses are present• 14 years later, 49 plant species and lizards, birds, insects, and bats• By 1929, a forest with 300 plant species were present• Today the island is a mature rainforest

• HOW?

Name Date PeriodX BIO ECOLOGY STUDY GUIDE – CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 20 – COMMUNITY ECOLOGY

1. What is predation?When individual of one species (predator) eats all or part of an individual of

another (prey)

2. List four examples of adaptations that predators have evolved.Acute sense of smell, venom, heat sensitive pits, sticky webs of spiders,

teeth that cut flesh.

3. List four examples of adaptations that prey have evolved to avoid predators.Deceptive markings, fleeing, hiding or resembling other objects, chemical

defenses

4. What is a symbiosis?

Relationship in which 2 dissimilar organisms live together in a close association

5. List and explain the three types of symbiotic relationships.

a) Parasitism: 1 organism (the parasite) benefits (obtains nutrients) from the host (who is harmed)

b) Commensalism: one benefits, the other neither benefits nor is harmed

c) Mutualism: both benefit from living together

6. What is ecological succession? The gradual, sequential replacement of populations in an area

7. Distinguish between primary and secondary succession. Primary: the sequential replacement of populations in an area that has not previously supported life (i.e. bare rocks, sand dunes)Secondary: the sequential replacement of populations in disrupted habitats that have not been totally stripped of soil and vegetation (i.e. and area that was flooded, destroyed by fire, etc.)

8. Distinguish between pioneer species, seral community, and climax communities.

Pioneer species: the first species to colonize a new habitatSeral community: the intermediate communities that ariseClimax community: final community, a community that will remain stable as long as the area is undisturbed

21-1 Terrestrial Biomes Pages 417-422

B. Biomes : large climatic regions that contain a number of smaller but related ecosystems within them

– Characterized by similar plant and animal species

Biome Temperature/Rainfall

Predominant Plant Species

Predominant Animal Species

Tropical Forest25°C-27°C200-400cm Broadleaf evergreen

trees and shrubs

Insects, colorful birds, apes,

monkeys, predatory cats

Temperate Forest6°C-28°C75-125cm Broadleaf deciduous

trees and shrubs

White-tailed deer, foxes, raccoons, squirrels, black

bears, birds (blue jays, cardinals)

Taiga-10°C-14°C35-75cm Needle-leafed

evergreen trees Moose, bears, lynx

Desert24°C-34°C

<25cmSucculent plants; scattered grasses

and sagebrushCamel, ground

squirrel, jack rabbit

Temperate Grassland

0°C-25°C25-75cm

Dense tall grasses in moist areas; short clumped grasses in

drier areas

Bison, antelope, elephants, giraffes,

kangaroos

Savanna 16°C-34°C75-150cm Tall grasses and

scattered trees

Zebras, wildebeests, giraffes, gazelles, lions, leopards,

cheetahs

Tundra-26°C-4°C

<25cm Mosses, lichens, dwarf woody plants

Duck, geese, predatory birds,

caribouintertid

al neritic

oceanic

photic

pelagic

aphotic

(eu)photic zone - Where light reaches so photosynthesis

can occur

aphotic zone – No light reaches

Name Date PeriodX BIO ECOLOGY STUDY GUIDE – CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 21 - ECOSYSTEMS

1. What is a biome?A large area identified by the presence of characteristic plants and animals

2. Using the map on page 417, in which biome would each of the following places be?

a) Central Australia: Desert

b) Miami, Florida: Temperate forest

c) Central America: Tropical rain forest

d) Spain: Grassland (Chaparral)

3. Using the terms in section 21-2 (start p. 423), match the correct zone for the following phrases:

a) Organisms have adapted to periodic exposure to air: intertidal zone

b) Where photosynthesis occurs: photic zone

c) Supports the greatest amount of marine life: neritic zone

d) Deep water of the open sea: pelagic zone

30. Using the same terms as above, label the diagram below:

0m 200m

Continental Shelf

2,500-6,000m

Humans rely on Earth’s life-support systems

BUT…

intertidal neriti

c

photic

pelagic

aphotic

We affect our environment when we:Obtain food

Eliminate waste productsBuild places to live

22.1 Biodiversity Pages 438-439

A. Biodiversity : total of all the genetically-based variation in all organisms in the biosphere

• 1.8 million species already identified AND 30 million more estimated

yet to be discovered!!

Benefits of Biodiversity Threats to Biodiversity Conserving Biodiversity

Sources of medicines Genetic diversity used

to increase pest resistance

Keystone species (if removed) can change entire ecosystem

Altering habitats Hunting Introducing invasive

species Releasing pollution Contributing to climate

change

Protect individual species

Preserve habitats and ecosystems

Consider local interests

B. Invasive Species : species that are not found naturally in an area and have been brought to the area by artificial means

C. Extinct Species : species that no longer have any living members left

a. Caused by disruption of ecosystems (ex. Habitat destruction by humans)

D. Endangered Species : species that are in danger of extinction

E. Keystone species : a change in one species can have drastic effects on many other species in the community

KELP SEA URCHINS SEA OTTERS Otters are a keystone species - they keep the sea urchin

population in check Over hunting of the otters allowed urchin population to

explode, giant kelp forests destroyed by urchin activity With no kelp, many animals were without a habitat Otters are now protected species, urchin population is under

control and kelp forests have rebounded

22-2 Environmental Issues Pages 440-444

A. The Effect of Human Activity

Activity Definition Positives Negatives

Agriculture Supplies a dependable food source that can be stored for later use

Enabled human settlements that ultimately led to modern civilization

Impacts natural resources as >7 billion people!!! need (ex. Food, fresh water, fertile soil, fossil fuels)

Development

Trend to move to suburbs & cities

High standard of living Produce lots of waste that affect air, water, & soil resourcesUses up farmlandDivides natural habitats into fragments

Industrial Growth

Industry & scientific know-how

Modern conveniences of life such as comfortable homes, clothes, electronic devices

Require energy and consume powerNeed to burn fossil fuels (coal, oil, & natural gas)Wastes discarded into air, water, & soil

B. Sustainable Development

• Renewable vs. Nonrenewable Resources

– Renewable – can be renewed or replaced by a healthy ecosystem

• Ex. a single southern white pine

– Nonrenewable – natural processes cannot replenish them in a reasonable amount of time

• Ex. Fossil fuels (formed from buried organic material over millions of years), a whole forest of white pines

• Sustainable Resource Use

• Provides for human needs & wants AND

• Preserves the ecosystems that produce natural resources

• Ecological Footprint – total area of functioning land and water ecosystems needed both to provide the resources an individual or population uses and to make harmless the wastes that an individual or population generates

•

•

•

•

•

•

• The average American has an ecological footprint that is:

– 4x larger than global average

– 2x that of England

– 6x that of China

C. Using Resources Wisely: Soil • Why is it needed?

– When healthy, supports agriculture and forestry

– Topsoil – absorbs/retains moisture but allows water to drain

• What are we doing to destroy it?

– Allowing soil erosion – nutrients are washed away with rain

• Desertification – over-plowing, overgrazing, allowing land to be barren between plantings

• Deforestation – loss of forests

– Forests help to hold soil in place, absorb CO2, absorb freshwater

• How can we protect it?

• Leaving stems and roots in place between plantings

• Crop-rotation

• Contour Plowing and Terracing – creating steps to prevent water and soil from flowing downward

• Creating tree farms (makes trees a renewable resource)

D. Using Resources Wisely: Freshwater• Why is it needed?

– Drinking water, industry, transportation, energy, waste disposal

• What are we doing to destroy it?

– Overuse (Ogallala aquifer – took 1 million years to collect)

– Pollution

• Factories, oil spills, industrial/agricultural chemicals

– Biomagnification – pollutants (like DDT, PCBs, heavy metals) magnify as they move through the food chain from primary producers to primary consumers, etc.

• Residential Sewage

• How can we protect it?

– Protection of natural resources involved in water cycle (ex. Plants can filter out pollutants)

– Watershed conservation – protecting all inter-connected bodies of water

• Watershed – an area of land that drains to a common location

– Pollution control

• Sewage treatment, decrease pesticide use (use biological controls instead of poisonous sprays)

– Water conservation (ex. drip irrigation)

E. Using Resources Wisely: Atmospheric

• Why is it needed?

– Oxygen, absorption of UV radiation, regulation of global temperature

• What are we doing to destroy it?

– Pollution (Industry, Burning Fossil Fuels)

• Smog - Ground Level Ozone

– Causes respiratory diseases

• Acid Rain – nitrogen and sulfur oxides mixing with precipitation

– Damages plants, releases toxic elements from soil

• Greenhouse Gases – burning of fossil fuels releases CO2, CH4 and

H2O

– Releases carbon dioxide into the air, contributes to global warming and climate change

• Particulates – microscopic particles of ash and dust released by industry

– Can be inhaled and cause respiratory problems

• How can we protect it?

– Emission standards

– Clean-air regulations

– Unleaded gasoline

F. Using Resources Wisely: Ozone Layer• Why is it needed?

– Ozone Layer – molecules of O3

• What are we doing to destroy it?

– Primary problem is CFCs (Chloroflurocarbons)

• Found in refrigerants, aerosol cans and plastic foams

• How can we protect it?

– CFCs banned in the late 80’s (Montreal Protocol), however residual CFCs can remain in the atmosphere for more than 30 years!!

G. Using Resources Wisely: Fisheries• What is the problem?

– Despite increased efforts and new technology, seafood catch numbers continue to decline

• What are we doing to destroy it?

– Overfishing: Death rates (commercial fishing) surpassed the birth rates of the fish

• How can we protect it?

– Regulations put in place to limit fish catches

– Certain areas closed to fishing until populations recovered (Sustainable Fisheries Act)

– Aquaculture – farming of aquatic animals

H. Using Resources Wisely: Climate Change• What’s the Problem?

– Global warming – increase in average temperature of our planet (0.74ºC between 1906 and 2005) with 11 of the 12 warmest years occurring between 1995-2006

– Melting sea ice

– Rising seal levels

• What are we doing to destroy it?

– Enhanced Greenhouse Effect not allowing solar heat to move back into outer space

• Burning fossil fuels, automobile exhaust industrial pollution

• How can we protect it?

– Alternative energy sources (water, wind, solar)

– Decrease our ecological footprint

Name KEY Date Period

XBIO: Chapter 22 Study Guide

The Effect of Human Activity1. What three human activities have transformed the biosphere?

agriculture, development, and industrial growth Sustainable Development

2. Complete the Venn diagram to compare renewable and nonrenewable resources.

3. How can development be sustainable?Development that is sustainable preserves ecosystems that provide renewable resources, while it also provides for human needs.

4. The human population (currently around 7 billion) may reach 9 billion by 2100. Most of those people will live in cities. Predict the impact of city growth on natural ecosystems and farmland. What will happen if sustainable development is not achieved?

Increasing amounts of land will be needed to produce enough food. And increasing amounts of resources will be needed to transport goods to cities. Without sustainable development, air and water pollution will increase.

The Value of Biodiversity5. What is biodiversity?

Total of all the genetically based variation in all organisms in the biosphere.6. Why is biodiversity one of Earth’s greatest natural resources?

Species of many kinds provide us with foods, industrial products, and medicines. Diverse species play vital roles in the delivery of ecological goods and services.

7. Explain why populations with the largest ecological footprints change the biosphere the most.They use the most resources (land and water) to meet their needs and more resources (land and water) are required to process their wastes. Land and freshwater resources are easy to pollute but difficult to clean up. Other organisms also need these resources, which broadens the effect on the biosphere.

Renewable Resources

Nonrenewable Resources

Raw materials for building,

manufacturing, fuels, and food

replaceable; ex. fresh water, clean air, wood,

etc.

will be used up; ex. fossil fuels, minerals, etc.