1.1. Describe how materials and energy enter, pass through, and exit ecosystems
1.2. Understand trophic levels
1.3. Describe movement of matter through the biogeochemical cycles
1.4. Describe the ways in which climate affects the biomes of the earth and influences how organisms are shaped and how they behave
1.5. Characterize each of the major biomes with respect to climate, plant life, and animal life
 | relationship of latitute and temperature (28-2) |
| movements of moisture and cold air at equator (28-3) |
3.1.1. gross primary productivity - total quantity of photosynthesis
3.1.2. net primary productivity - gross primary productivity minus organic matter used for energy and cell maintenance
| equals about 6 X 1020 calories per year |
3.1.3. energy content of organic matter - 4.25 kcal per dry gram of plant tissue and 5.0 kcal per dry gram of animal tissue
3.2.1. influenced by precipitation (28-5) and temperature (28-6)
3.2.2. global patterns (28-7)
3.2.3. ocean currents (28-8)
3.2.4. contributors to primary productivity
| oceans and waters cover 70% but only contribute 37% of primary productivity |
| rain forests cover only 3% but contribute 22% of primary productivity |
| definitions and examples (28-11) |
4.3.1. pyramids of biomass and numbers (28-13)
| biomass at Silver Springs, FL |
| numbers in a bluegrass field |
5.1.1. runoff influenced by deforestation (50% increase)
| weir for measurement of runoff (28-15) |
| erosion due to runnoff (28-16) |
| rainfall influenced by deforestation (28-17) |
5.2.1. ocean holds 98% of free carbon (43,000 X 1012 kg)
5.2.2. atmosphere holds 2% (740 X 1012 kg)
5.2.3. deforestation, 1 x 1012 kg
5.2.4. fossil fuel burning, 3 x 1012 kg
5.2.5. global warming will be discussed later
5.3.1. 78% of atmosphere
5.3.2. prior to period of extensive industry and agriculture
| 100-250 x 109 kg fixed annually (prior to extensive industry and agriculture) |
| 50 x 109 kg fixed by lightning |
| balance fixed primarily by bacteria |
| man adds 50 x 109 kg via fertilizer |
| mineral content |
| organic content (affects water retention) |
| particle size (affects water retention) |
| pH (affects cation availability) |
| sandy - large particle size (0.5 - 2.0 mm) |
| silt - intermediate particle size (0.002 - 0.05 mm) |
| clay - small particle size (<0.002 mm) |
| loam - roughly equal proportions of each type |
| humus - decayed organic matter |
| clay and humus retain water |
| leaching |
| air quality |
| agricultural practices |
| weather |
| characterized by different climates, plants, and animals |
| subsoil permanently frozen |
| rolling plane with lakes, ponds, and bogs |
| weather - frequent freezes with brief cool summers |
| vegetation - few trees, mosses, lichens, grasses, perennial herbs, colored flowers |
| animals - number of species small, including flies, birds, raindeer, wolves, foxes, hares, polar bears |
| heavy snow prevents deep freezes |
| lots of lakes, ponds, and bogs |
| vegetation - dominated by coniferous forests; some deciduous |
| animals - moose, black bear, wolves, lynx,wolverine, porcupines, small rodents, flying insects, and birds |
| temperate climate |
| lots of rainfall |
| dominated by deciduous (broadleaf) trees |
| squirrel, deer, fox, and bears; large variety of insects and birds |
| warm temperatures |
| abundant rainfall |
| widest diversity of species of plants and animals |
| dominant trees are tall |
| found in temperate and tropical climates |
| low uneven and seasonal annual rainfall (10-30 cm) |
| grasses and scrub forests |
| herbivores and rodents |
- rainfall less than 25 cm per year
- extreme temperature fluctuations (40oC or more)
- drought-resistant shrubs, cactus, herbs
- rodents, reptiles, birds, insects
| ocean (28-28) |
| lakes (28-29) |
| rivers |
| 225 million years ago |
| 135 million years ago |
| 65 million years ago |
| present |
9.1. What is the major cause of seasons?
9.2. Describe how materials enter, pass through, and exit ecosystems.
9.3. Define and discuss interrelationships between the different trophic levels of life.
9.4. Outline the basic cycles for carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus and sulfur.
9.5. Prepare a table comparing the climate, plants, and animals of each of the major biomes.
9.6. What of the properties of the six main soil types?
9.7. What are the major interacting factors that influence climate?
9.8. What are some of the ways in which air currents and ocean currents influence the ecosystem in which you live?
9.9. How do humans fit into the food web?
| ammonification | atmospheric cycle | biomass |
| biogeochemical cycle | biological magnification | watershed |
| carbon cycle | carnivore | consumer |
| decomposer | denitrification | ecosystem |
| detrital food web | ecosystem analysis | food chain |
| energy pyramid | food web | herbivore |
| grazing food web | greenhouse effect | nitrification |
| hydrologic cycle | nitrogen fixation | omnivore |
| parasite | primary productivity | producer |
| sedimentary cycle | trophic level |
| atmosphere | biome | biosphere |
| biogeographic realm | fall overturn | climate |
| El Nino Southern California (ENSO) | hydrosphere | hydrothermal |
| ventintertidal zone | littoral | oceanic zone |
| permafrost | plankton | rain shadow |
| spring overturn | soil | thermocline |
| upwelling |
