Ecology Test II

Ecosystem 
Problem set I

Ecology Test 
Test 1   Test 2
Test 3   Test 4
Test 5   Test 6
Test 7   Test 8
Test 9   M/C 

Energy Calculation 
Quiz 1   Quiz 2

Human Ecology  
Quiz 1   Quiz 2
Quiz 3   

1. Name five processes into which sunlight goes when it hits the earth.
   
2. The two Laws of Thermodynamics are:
   
3. Name two processes by which carbon atoms are placed into the atmosphere. Name the major process by which carbon atoms are removed from the air. When carbon is removed from the air, what compound assimilates it (does it "turn into"?)
   
4. Name two processes by which nitrogen atoms are placed into the soil. Name the major biological process by which nitrogen atoms are removed from the air. When nitrogen is removed from the air, what compound assimilates it? (does it "turn into"?)
   
5. Name one process by which phosphorous atoms are placed into the soil. Name or describe the major process by which phosphorous is removed from the soil. When phosphorous is removed from the soil, what compound assimilates it? (does it "turn into"?)
   
6. Fifty crayfish were caught in a river and labelled with indelible laundry markers. Later, 40 crayfish were caught and of those 40, 16 were labelled. 
   a) What was the original population? 
   b) The recapture was done 60 days after the initial labelling. Are the calculations for the initial population reliable?
   
7. Give three characteristics of a r-selecting species and three characteristics for a k-selecting species.
   
8. What are the major human activities related to the production of: (what do we do that makes these things exist or happen?)
   a) PCB's
   b) dioxin's
   c) greenhouse effect
   d) hole in the ozone layer
   e) DDT contamination
   
9. What will the long-term consequences be if the global fertility rate remains at 26 children per 100 couples? (Also, exactly how long term are you thinking here)
   

PART B: Longer Answers. 55% total.

1. Can a sustainable ecosystem survive with just producers, and decomposers? Use the ideas of sunlight, energy, oxidation, partial oxidation, complex molecules and simple molecules while answering this question.
   
2. Anne Elk has found a way to communicate with any species of animal. If animals could talk, which species should Anne speak with in order to learn the most about ecosystem succession? Which could tell us the least? Explain your reasoning.
   
3. Yu and Hugh Muss own a fertilizer factory. They collect leaves from the city, and compost them to produce 100% safe and natural fertilizer. Business has been growing at a rate of 12% per year. Profits are based on the amount of leaves of collected and on the amount they charge.
   
4. Current proceeds are $500,000 per year. 
   a) In how many years show proceeds be $4,000,000? 
   b) Is this a sustainable situation? Explain.
   
5. The demography of the tree frog follows a J-shaped decline in population. Eileen Toodarite claims the decline is normal - She claims the population grew out of control and the population decrease was bound to happen naturally anyways. Lefty Barkisser claims the evil companies are to blame.
   
   a) How does the concept of density-dependent growth relate to the issue?
   b) How does the issue of carrying capacity relate to the issue?
   c) How does the experience of lynx and hares relate to the issue?
   d) How does the issue of computer modelling relate to the issue?