Question 1: Describe the desert biome.
a. Describe at least two abiotic and two biotic factors found in this biome. How do these abiotic factors interact with the biotic factors?
b. Describe a species, a population, and a community that could be found in this biome.
c. Choose four other biomes. For each, list one way it is similar to or different from the desert biome.
Question 2: Sam and Jerry are having a discussion in their Environmental Science class. Sam says that abiotic factors determine what biotic factors can be in an ecosystem. Jerry says that biotic factors determine what abiotic factors can be in an ecosystem. Who is correct? Use an example to support your answer.
Question 3: Describe the water cycle by describing how each process moves water among Earth's spheres:
- Evaporation
- Percolation
- Precipitation
- Transpiration
Question 4: How does carbon move through Earth's spheres in the fast carbon cycle? Be sure to include carbon sinks and sources and the movements between them in your explanation.
Question 5: Compare the nitrogen cycle to the phosphorus cycle, noting at least two ways that they are different.
Question 6: Provide examples of energy transformations.
a. Describe an energy transformation that occurs in nature and changes chemical energy into kinetic energy.
b. Describe a way in which radiation affects Earth.
c. Name a form of energy transformation that occurs in Earth's biosphere.
7. Investigate energy in a prairie ecosystem.
a. Use an example to describe how the first law of thermodynamics is observed in a prairie ecosystem.
b. Compare the albedo of the prairie to the albedo of another type of ecosystem or biome. Be sure to mention which is higher.
c. How are local energy systems in the prairie related to global systems?
d. Would the prairie ecosystem be considered an open or closed system? Why?
8. What is photosynthesis, and why is it so important to life on Earth? What would happen if there were no photosynthesis?
9. Identify the inputs and outputs of cellular respiration.
10. Describe your ecosystem and biome.
a. Briefly describe four of Earth's major land biomes.
b. Describe some of the abiotic and biotic factors found in your ecosystem, and identify the biome of which you are a part.
11. Describe several abiotic and biotic factors in a marine ecosystem.
(Population is bobcats for 1B)