Ecology Review Worksheet

Grading Rubric

1. Energy in an ecosystem is captured by producers during the process of photosynthesis. Explain what percent of energy is transferred from one trophic level to another and the three ways the energy is lost and/or used within the trophic level.

1.Energy in an ecosystem is captured by producers during the process of photosynthesis. Explain what percent of energy is transferred from one trophic level to another and the three ways the energy is lost and/or used within the trophic level.

10% is transferred

1.Given off as heat2. Growth and reproduction3. Some excreted as waste

2. List and define the five levels of organization in Ecology.

2. List and define the five levels of organization in Ecology.

Organism (species)

Population

Community

Ecosystem

Biome

3. Explain the role of a producer and a decomposer, and how they cycle biotic and abiotic matter through the ecosystem.

3. Explain the role of a producer and a decomposer, and how they cycle biotic and abiotic matter through the ecosystem.

Producer (autotroph)- get their energy from nonliving resources (make their own food)

Decomposers- break down organic matter into simpler compounds

4. A habitat is where an organism lives, the niche is the job that it performs; explain what happens when a non-native species is introduced into an environment where a native species already occupies the niche.

4. A habitat is where an organism lives, the niche is the job that it performs; explain what happens when a non-native species is introduced into an environment where a native species already occupies the niche.

It may out compete and drive the native species out and take over the niche

5. What is symbiosis, and what are the three different types of symbiosis

5. What is symbiosis, and what are the three different types of symbiosis

symbiosis- close ecological relationship between two or more organisms of different species that live in direct contact with one another

1. Mutualism- both species benefit from one another

2. Commensalism- one receives an ecological benefit from another, while the other neither benefits nor is harmed.

3. Parasitism- similar to predation in that one organism benefits while the other is harmed

6. What group of organisms is responsible for running the nitrogen cycle?

6. What group of organisms is responsible for running the nitrogen cycle?

Bacteria

1. Nitrogen fixation- converting gaseous nitrogen into ammonia (NH3) (used by certain bacteria)

2. Denitrifying bacteria- convert nitrogen compounds back to nitrogen gas

7. How is carbon stored in the biosphere?

7. How is carbon stored in the biosphere?

Carbon dioxide gas in atmosphere

Living things

Coal, oil, natural gas

Dissolved in ocean

8. What are the two main human activities that disrupt the carbon cycle?

8. What are the two main human activities that disrupt the carbon cycle?

Burning fossil fuels

Cutting down forests

9. Explain how carbon is cycled between photosynthesis and cellular respiration.

9. Explain how carbon is cycled between photosynthesis and cellular respiration.

Photosynthesis uses carbon dioxide and cellular respiration produces it

10. What is the greenhouse effect, and how is the burning of fossil fuels affecting related to this concept?

10. What is the greenhouse effect, and how is the burning of fossil fuels affecting related to this concept?

The build-up of greenhouse gasses (CO2, H2O, Methane) trap heat. The burning of fossil fuels releases green house gasses into the atmosphere.

11. Differentiate between primary and secondary succession.

11. Differentiate between primary and secondary succession.

Primary- start from “scratch”. NO SOIL (like after volcanic eruption-bare rock)

Secondary- Soil still intact. Re-grows much faster.

12. List the main distinguishing characteristic of the following biomes: tundra, tropical rainforest, temperate deciduous forest

12. List the main distinguishing characteristic of the following biomes: tundra, tropical rainforest, temperate deciduous forest

Tundra- Far northern latitudes with long winters (10 months) limited precipitation, permafrost

Tropical Rain Forest Biome- warm temperatures, abundant precipitation all year, lush forests

Temperate Forests- Include deciduous forests and rain forests. Temperate deciduous forests have hot summers and cold winters. Deciduous trees are the dominant plant species

13. Define the following terms; birth rate, death rate, immigration, emigration, carrying capacity, exponential growth

13. Define the following terms; birth rate, death rate, immigration, emigration, carrying capacity, exponential growth

Birth rate = increase

Death rate = decrease

Immigration = increase

Emigration = decrease

14. Differentiate between a density-dependent factor and a density-independent factor.

14. Differentiate between a density-dependent factor and a density-independent factor.

density-dependent: depends on the number of individuals

density-independent: Does not depend on how many there are in an area

15. What is biological magnification and how is DDT related to this concept?

15. What is biological magnification and how is DDT related to this concept?

Toxins are magnified as they move up a food chain and can lead to severe problems with top level consumers

16. What is climate and what characteristic of the earth forms the different climate zones.

16. What is climate and what characteristic of the earth forms the different climate zones.

Weather- day to day conditionsClimate- long term pattern of weather conditions

17. Explain how urbanization affects the water cycle.

17. Explain how urbanization affects the water cycle.

Covering land with houses, concrete, and asphalt increases runoff and decreases the amount of water that soaks into the ground.

18. What is the pH of normal rainfall?

18. What is the pH of normal rainfall?

pH = 5.6

19. Draw a simple food chain and label each trophic level.

19. Draw a simple food chain and label each trophic level.

20. What is the difference between renewable and nonrenewable resources? Give examples of each.

20. What is the difference between renewable and nonrenewable resources? Give examples of each.

Renewable- can be replaced in our lifetime

nonrenewable resources- cannot be replaced in a short period of time (oil, coal, natural gas, old growth timber)