Intro to Environmental Science - Quiz 2

We began discussing how the Earth created its current arrangement of BIOMES. Create an answer that lists the major parts of the earth’s systems and then attempt to describe how these systems worked together to develop biomes. Your answer should also include at least three biomes, that help tell the story of how the Earth’s systems work to create different biome types.

The Earth system is made up of four major parts: the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere. These systems constantly interact and depend on one another, and together they shape the current arrangement of biomes on Earth. The atmosphere controls climate which determine where certain plants and animals can survive. The hydrosphere includes all water on Earth and influences biomes through rainfall, ocean currents, and the availability of freshwater. The geosphere provides landforms, soil types, and nutrients that affect plant growth, while the biosphere includes all living organisms that interact with and adapt to the other systems.

For example, tropical rainforests form near the equator where the atmosphere provides warm temperatures and heavy rainfall, the hydrosphere supplies constant moisture, and the biosphere supports high biodiversity.

Deserts develop in regions where atmospheric conditions limit precipitation, geosphere includes sandy soils, rock, and mineral-rich ground and hydrosphere is limited are still present. Biosphere in deserts is made up of plants and animals adapted to dry conditions.

Tundra biomes form in cold regions where the atmosphere keeps temperatures low, water is mostly frozen in the hydrosphere, and the geosphere limits soil development.

Be able to characterize the Yellowstone - Wolves and elk relationship with respect to keystone species, vegetation and geology/geomorphology.

When wolves were reintroduced in the 1990s, they reduced elk numbers and, just as importantly, changed elk behavior. Elk began avoiding open river valleys and lingering less time in areas where they were vulnerable to predation.

This change allowed vegetation—especially willows, aspens, and cottonwoods—to recover along streams and floodplains. With less overgrazing, young trees and shrubs grew taller and denser. This vegetation recovery also supported other species, such as beavers and birds, increasing overall biodiversity.

As vegetation returned, it stabilized soil and stream banks, directly affecting geology and geomorphology. Stronger root systems reduced erosion, narrowed stream channels, and changed how rivers flowed across the landscape. Beaver activity, enabled by increased willow growth, further reshaped waterways by creating dams, wetlands, and sediment traps.

Overall, wolves triggered a trophic cascade: wolves affected elk, elk affected vegetation, and vegetation influenced landforms and river systems. This shows how a keystone species can connect biological interactions with physical Earth processes in Yellowstone.

What are the differences or similarities between the Environmental Unity Principal and the Gaia Hypothesis.

Similar because both emphasize that Earth functions as an interconnected system.

The Environmental Unity Principle is more descriptive and neutral, focusing on cause-and-effect relationships within Earth systems without suggesting purpose.

In contrast, the Gaia Hypothesis goes further by proposing that living organisms actively help regulate Earth’s conditions—such as temperature, atmospheric composition, and ocean chemistry—in ways that maintain conditions suitable for life.

The Environmental Unity Principle just says that things in nature affect each other. If one part of the Earth changes, other parts change too—but not on purpose.

The Gaia Hypothesis says that living things help keep Earth stable, almost like the planet is taking care of itself.

Define carrying capacity. Then use one of the two examples in the textbook that provides evidence that supports the correct definition.

Carrying Capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a species that a habitat can sustainably support. An example is if we do not provide food or space for bacteria to expand and grow it will crash.

Briefly describe one of the misconceptions of evolution.

Individuals can evolve. This is incorrect because evolution changes populations not individuals. It alters the genetic makeup of populations over time. Natural selection works on individuals but it is the genetic makeup of the population that changes over time.

A chemical substance that cannot be broken down into another chemical substance.

Element

An atom of an element with a particular number of neutrons

Isotope

pH is a measure of water's acidic or basic characteristics. an acidic pH is ____ the natural value of 7.

Below

Entropy is sometimes used to describe the second law of thermodynamics. The entropy or order of a system helps describe how energy helps to maintain a structure. A system that has high entropy is likely be…

Disordered

The variety of species and life in the world or in a particular ecosystem…

Biodiversity

The Gaia Hypothesis asks the questions is the earth an…

Organism

Human populations are subject to times of reduces biodiversity, to the point some human societies have failed/collapsed. Hypothesized reasons for past human societal collapses include: Social conflicts, changing environmental conditions, tragedy or the commons and …

Over consumption