Topic 1 - Foundations
Flows on systems diagrams are represented with this symbol.
Arrows
A bee pollinates a flower. The bee receives nectar while the flower is fertilized. What kind of symbiotic relationship is this?
mutualism
The amount of biological or living diversity per unit area.
Biodiversity
Term for land degradation where dry land becomes increasingly arid, losing its bodies of water, vegetation, and wildlife.
Desertification
This biome is characterized by high levels of precipitation and insolation (sunlight) and lies close to the equator.
Tropical rainforest (although I'll also accept savannah)
17 goals set by the UN in 2015 to be achieved by 2030.
Sustainable Development Goals
Which happens faster and why - primary succession or secondary succession?
Secondary succession, because the soil remains intact and does not need to be formed again.
Name 2 threats to global biodiversity.
AND HIPPO - Agricultural practices, Natural disasters/hazards, Disease, Habitat loss/fragmentation, Invasive species, Pollution, Population growth (human), Overexploitation
What is one advantage to using groundwater rather than surface water?
Available year round, exists almost everywhere, no evaporation losses, cheaper to extract than surface waters in many cases
The 2nd Law of Thermodynamics states that entropy will always increase. How does this law relate to food chains?
10% Rule of energy conversion from 1 trophic level to the next.
This EVS is more likely to believe that mankind's innovation will preserve us through any challenge.
Technocentric
Apex predators in a given food chain tend to have very high concentrations of toxins in their tissues, while herbivores tend to have much lower levels of these toxins. What is the term for this phenomenon?
Biomagnification
A convergent boundary causes tectonic uplift and builds a mountain range, separating two populations of skunks. Over time, these populations evolve into separate species. What kind of isolation is this?
Geographic isolation
What is one solution for water scarcity?
building dams and reservoirs, desalination, recharging aquifers, rainwater harvesting, more efficient appliances, drought resistant crops, watering at night to prevent evaporation
Name 2 abiotic limiting factors in ecosystems.
light, water, salinity, temperature, etc
Give an example of an invasive species AND one characteristic that makes it invasive (not just non-native).
(TBD by Ms. Moore)
Draw and label a food chain with 4 trophic levels. Each level should be labeled with the term for that level (not the number).
TBD by Ms. Moore
Where are most biodiversity hotspots located and what is 1 requirement that has to be met in order to be considered a hotspot?
Tropics, mostly tropical rainforest
70% loss of habitat (or otherwise under significant threat from humans)
high rates of endemic species
high biodiversity
Name an unsustainable fishing or aquaculture method and give 1 reason why it is unsustainable.
Fishing - dredging, trawling, nets of just about any kind, longlines
Aquaculture - pens, ponds
What sampling method is best used when determining the population size of a motile organism?
Catch and release/Lincoln Index
Draw a systems diagram showing a positive climate feedback loop. (Hint: an easy one would involve sea ice and greenhouse gas emissions!)
(TBD by Ms. Moore)
If the NPP of a system is 40 kcal/m^2/year and the R is 25 kcal/m^2/year, what is the GPP?
GPP = NPP + R, so GPP = 65 kcal/m^2/year
Strategies for conservation may include species-based strategies, habitat-based strategies, or a mix of both. How would you classify a flagship species, and what is one disadvantage of choosing a flagship species?
Most accurately a mix of both (focus is on species, but will help the entire habitat). Disadvantages include taking priority over needier species, risk of extinction, and conflict with local people
Level 1 (replace) - banning detergents
Level 2 (regulate) - treating wastewater
Level 3 (repair) - re-oxygenating lakes
Name 2 factors that the IUCN Red List takes into account when determining the status of a species.
population size, degree of specialization, distribution, reproductive behavior, geographic range, degree of habitat fragmentation/destruction, trophic level, probability of extinction