Tragedy of The Commons
What does “commons” mean in environmental science?
Shared resources accessible to everyone.
What is the difference between a food chain and a food web?
Food chain = one linear path; food web = interconnected chains.
What is the temperature trend as you move further from the equator?
Temperatures decrease.
What is the formula for calculating NPP?
NPP = GPP – Respiration.
Describe a mutualistic relationship.
Both species benefit.
What is the tragedy of the commons?
When individuals overuse a shared resource for personal gain, often depleting it.
What is the 10% rule in trophic pyramids?
Only ~10% of energy moves up each level; ~90% lost as heat/respiration.
Which biome has the highest biodiversity?
Tropical Rainforest.
GPP is 3.6 kg C/m²/yr, respiration = 1.2. What is NPP?
2.4 kg C/m²/yr.
Describe a parasitic relationship.
One species benefits, the other is harmed.
Give two real-world examples of the tragedy of the commons.
Overfishing and air pollution.
What is the first law of thermodynamics?
Energy is never created or destroyed.
Which biome has permafrost and no trees?
Tundra.
NPP = 18,000 kcal/m²/yr, respiration = 2,000. What is GPP?
20,000 kcal/m²/yr.
What’s the difference between interspecific and intraspecific competition?
Interspecific = between species; Intraspecific = within species.
At the beach, what is the common resource, the tragedy, and the impact of littering?
The beach is the common, littering is the tragedy, and the impact is marine life entanglement/death.
Producers capture 359,000 kcal of energy. How much is available to tertiary consumers?
About 359 kcal.
Which biome is mostly coniferous trees and acidic soil?
Boreal forest/Taiga.
Name two human impacts on the nitrogen cycle.
Fertilizer use (NH₃ volatilization → acid rain) and N₂O release from agriculture (greenhouse gas).
Wolves hunt at night, coyotes hunt by day. What concept is this?
Resource partitioning.
What is a social contract in relation to commons?
An agreement that individuals will limit their actions for the benefit of the group.
Define primary, secondary, and tertiary consumers.
Primary = herbivores; Secondary = eat herbivores; Tertiary = top predators.
Which biome has hot, dry summers, shrubs, and frequent fires?
Chaparral/Shrubland.
Explain eutrophication in the phosphorus cycle.
Excess P → algae blooms → decomposition → O₂ depletion → fish kills.
Describe commensalism and give an example.
One benefits, the other is unaffected; e.g., barnacles on whales.