UNIT 1&2 APES REVIEW QUIZ FRQ

The atmosphere is one important carbon reservoir.

Describe a biological process by which carbon is removed from the atmosphere and converted to organic molecules.

photosynthesis: plants remove carbon dioxide from air and convert to glucose and oxygen

Describe a biological process by which carbon is converted from organic molecules to a gas and returned to the atmosphere.

cellular respiration: animals use oxygen and glucose and releases carbon dioxide into atmosphere

Oceans and terrestrial systems are also important carbon reservoirs.Explain how atmospheric carbon is incorporated into two oceanic sinks.

CO2 can be taken up by organisms like phytoplankton for photosynthesis-carbon can be taken up by marine animals and used for shells, skeletons, coral, etc.

Identify one terrestrial sink, other than fossil fuels, that stores carbon for thousands to millions of years.

sedimentary rocks

The burning of fossil fuels has been shown to increase the concentration of carbon in the atmosphere.Discuss TWO other human activities that increase the concentration of carbon in the atmosphere.

deforestation: cutting down trees reduces reservoir for carbon-destruction of wetlands (removes sink for CO2)

Identify an environmental problem that results from elevated atmospheric carbon concentrations.Discuss one consequence of the problem you identified.

If the carbon continues to increase then the ocean will heat up causing the pH balance to be thrown off and animals will become sick and their shells will start to dissolve coral bleaching

Phosphorus is another element important to all organisms.Describe one major way in which the phosphorous cycle differs from the carbon cycle

phosphorus cycle does not typically have an atmospheric phase

Identify one reason that phosphorus is necessary for organisms.

it is necessary for the formation of DNA/RNA

Identify and describe one CHEMICAL SOIL TEST that could be performed and explain how the results of these tests will allow the cooperative extension service to make specific recommendations for sustainable agriculture.

PH test measures how acidic or alkaline the soil is. This helps the cooperative extension service recommend adding lime to acidic soils to make nutrients more available for plants.

Identify and describe one PHYSICAL SOIL test that could be performed and explain how the results of these tests will allow the cooperative extension service to make specific recommendations for sustainable agriculture.

Water-holding capacity test/ porosity. Measures how much water soil retains based on its pore space. Results help them recommend suitable crops and efficient irrigation methods to conserve water and maintain soil health

Explain one ADVANTAGE to using inorganic commercial fertilizers.

One advantage of using inorganic commercial fertilizers is that they are easy to obtain, transport, and apply, leading to increased crop yields and faster growth.

explain one DISADVANTAGE to using inorganic commercial fertilizers.

A disadvantage is that inorganic fertilizers don't add organic matter to the soil, reducing its water-holding ability and harming soil health. Overuse can also cause pollution and harm ecosystems.

Describe TWO soil conservation practices that are designed to decrease soil erosion.

One soil conservation practice to decrease erosion is conservation tillage, which disturbs the soil as little as possible during planting.

Another practice is windbreaks, which are rows of trees that reduce wind erosion by creating barriers that protect the soil from strong winds.

Identify one biome that is characterized by soil that is rich in humus. Describe how humus originated in the soils of this biome and TWO ways that humus improves soil conditions for plant growth.

Deciduous forest. In this biome, humus originates from the decomposition of plant and animal materials. Humus improves soil conditions for plant growth by providing nutrients and enhancing soil fertility. Also, it helps the topsoil hold water, improving the soil's water-holding capacity.

Describe TWO characteristics shared by ecosystems that have high biodiversity.

Large number of different species + Large number of individuals of different species. These ecosystems typically have complex food webs and a variety of habitats, which contribute to ecological resilience and stability.

Identify TWO specific human activities that result in a loss of biodiversity and explain how each activity lowers biodiversity

Activity #1: Clearing land for construction/homes/roads

Explanation: Reduces habitat for many species, results in habitat fragmentation

Activity #2: Overfishing/hunting/poaching

Explanation: Reduces keystone species, reduces top predators, depletes endangered species

For each human activity you discussed in (B), propose a practical strategy (other than simply banning the activity) to reduce the loss of biodiversity

Activity #1: Clearing land for construction/homes/roads

Solution: Cluster development: concentrating the building of homes in one specific area, while leaving most of the land open

Activity #2: Overfishing/hunting/poaching

Solution: Regulate activities and/or establish quotas

Describe ONE naturally occurring factor that could lead to a loss of biodiversity

Widespread wildfires can wipe out small populations and disrupt entire ecosystems, leading to habitat destruction and reduced species diversity.

Describe TWO ecological benefits that greater biodiversity provides

Greater biodiversity enhances ecosystem stability and resilience, promotes nutrient cycling, and supports a wider range of ecosystem services such as pollination, water purification, and climate regulation.

(a) As mentioned in the article, there are several possible explanations for the increase in mountain pine beetles.

(i) Provide one reason why fire-suppression policies lead to increased beetle activity.

fire-suppression policies keep natural forest fires from occurring, allowing the trees to mature. matured trees are the preferred food choice of beetles, so more mature trees lead to more beetles feeding on the trees.

(a) (ii) Reduced winter mortality of beetle larvae is likely a consequence of global climate change. Describe TWO ways that the activities of the beetles might enhance climate change.

one way beetles are effecting the climate is co2 levels in the atmosphere. with the trees being consumed, less photosynthesis will take place, resulting in more co2 and less oxygen. co2 is a green house gas which will increase the temp of the planet. another way beetles effect the planet is the amount of ultraviolet radiation present. with the trees and their leave gone, more ultraviolet radiation will reach the surface and more infrared radiation will come from the ground, resulting in higher global temp.

(b) The widespread death of trees leads to a series of changes in a forest ecosystem. Identify TWO physical changes that occur in the forest ecosystem as the result of the death of mature trees. For each physical change you identify, describe an impact of that change on the forest ecosystem.

the death of mature trees lead to a loss of habitat for many species. the biological diversity of the forest will be effected in a bad way. another physical change is more surface runoff will occur without the mature trees. more sediments and nutrients will flow into the rivers and streams of the forest, affecting the water life.

(c) As the article states, the number of managed honeybee colonies has dropped significantly over the past few decades. Describe TWO specific economic consequences of the collapse of the managed honeybee colonies.

one economic cause of the loss of honey bees is that less honey will be produced, increasing the cost of honey on the market. another economic consequence is that the honey bees will not pollinate as many crops, resulting in increased prices of farmers goods

(d) Pollination by native insects is considered an ecosystem service. Identify a different ecosystem service and explain how that service benefits human society.

wetlands act as a buffer to flooding. during periods of intense rain or tidal flooding, wetlands absorb the water, preventing it from affecting human infrastructure.

Design a controlled experiment that tests the relationship between acorn production and gypsy moth population. Include the hypothesis that the experiment tests.

This experiment hypothesizes that increased gypsy moth populations negatively impact acorn production due to tree stress and defoliation. Thus, as gypsy moth numbers rise, acorn yields are expected to decline.

Briefly describe a strategy that uses integrated pest management for the control of the black-legged tick population.

One strategy for integrated pest management of black-legged ticks is to introduce a tick-repellent plant that can disrupt their habitat. Additionally, using biological controls such as introducing tick predators, like specific bird species, can help naturally regulate the tick population.

Wetlands were once considered to be wastelands. Over 50 percent of the United States original wetlands have been destroyed.
a. describe two characteristics that are used by scientists to define an area as wetland

1. soil is flooded with water for all or part of the year
2. plants/ vegetation have adaptations that allow them to live in constant flooding conditions, they are water tolerant

(b) Wetlands are highly productive ecosystems with complex food webs. (i) Complete the diagram of the wetland food web below by drawing arrows that show the direction of energy flow.

i) algae to fish or snail, snail to eagle or fish, fish to eagle

(b) Wetlands are highly productive ecosystems with complex food webs. (ii) Explain why it takes many hectares of wetland to support a pair of eagles.

ii) to support a pair of eagles, their must be a large amount of biomass at a lower trophic levels

Describe TWO economic benefits (other than those related to water quality) that wetlands provide.

Promotes tourism and provides jobs and profits from the industry and supports fisheries, boosting local economies.

Naturally recharge ground water. In turn, reduces cost of water treatment that artificially recharges the water supply, thus lowering environmental impact.

Describe one specific human activity that degrades wetlands.

Building dams that control water flow. This would cut off water that would go to the wetlands and destroy them by altering hydrology and reducing habitat availability.