Abiotic/Biotic Interactions
What is the biosphere?
The biosphere is the part of Earth where all living organisms exist, including land, water, and the atmosphere.
Name the main greenhouse gases involved in carbon cycling.
Carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and water vapor (H₂O)
What is the greenhouse effect?
The trapping of heat in Earth's atmosphere by greenhouse gases, keeping the planet warm enough to support life.
Why is it important to study future climate scenarios?
To predict potential impacts, prepare for changes, and develop strategies to mitigate climate-related risks.
What is biodiversity?
The variety of life in an ecosystem, including different species, genes, and ecosystems.
Define abiotic factors and give three examples.
Abiotic factors are non-living components of an ecosystem, such as sunlight, temperature, and water.
What is the carbon cycle?
The process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide in plants, soil, or geological formations and later releasing them.
What are some common indicators of climate change? (name 2)
Rising temperatures, melting glaciers, sea level rise, extreme weather events, and shifting wildlife habitats.
How might ocean temperature changes affect marine biodiversity?
Warmer oceans can cause habitat loss, coral bleaching, and disrupt migration and reproduction patterns, threatening marine species.
What are some benefits of having diverse species in an ecosystem?
Diverse species improve resource use, support ecosystem services like pollination and water filtration, and enhance resilience to disturbances.
How do plants and soil interact to affect nutrient cycling?
Plants absorb nutrients from soil, and when they decompose, they return nutrients back, enriching the soil for future growth.
What role do decomposers play in carbon cycling?
Decomposers break down dead organisms, releasing carbon back into the atmosphere as CO₂ or into the soil.
How can tree ring data help us understand past climates?
Tree rings show growth patterns that reflect past rainfall, temperature, and environmental conditions. (larger rings more precipitation etc...)
Discuss how changes in rainfall patterns could impact ecosystems.
Altered rainfall can lead to droughts or floods, affecting water availability, plant growth, and species survival in ecosystems.
Provide an example of how loss of biodiversity can affect an ecosystem.
The decline of bee populations can reduce pollination, leading to lower crop yields and disruption of food chains
Describe how predators and prey interact in an ecosystem.
Predators control prey populations, while prey availability influences predator survival, maintaining ecosystem balance.
Explain the process of photosynthesis and its role in carbon cycling.
Photosynthesis converts CO₂ and sunlight into oxygen and glucose, removing carbon from the atmosphere and storing it in plants.
What data can be used to identify past climate conditions?
Ice cores, tree rings, sediment layers, and fossil records reveal historical climate patterns.
Predict how habitat loss might influence species distribution.
Habitat loss forces species to migrate, concentrate in smaller areas, or face extinction, disrupting ecosystems and biodiversity.
What is ecosystem resilience?
The ability of an ecosystem to recover from disturbances and maintain its functions and structure.
What is an example of a mutualistic relationship?
Teacher Choice
How does carbon dioxide in the atmosphere affect ocean acidification?
CO₂ dissolves in seawater, forming carbonic acid, which lowers pH levels and harms marine ecosystems.
What has impacted the increase of hurricanes and their severity in last 100 years?
Rising sea surface temperatures and climate change have intensified hurricanes by fueling stronger winds and increasing rainfall.
How might increased temperatures affect polar species?
Higher temperatures can melt sea ice, reduce habitats, and threaten food sources, endangering polar species like penguins and polar bears.
How does biodiversity contribute to ecosystem stability?
It provides functional redundancy, enhances resilience to changes, and increases productivity through resource complementarity