Ecosystem+Dynamics


 * Food Webs/Trophic Levels PPT: [[file:Ecosystems and Their Interactions Powerpoint.ppt]]**


 * Food Web Games:**
 * 1. Bigelow Antarctic Food Web Game**
 * 2. C.O.O.L Projects Marine Food Web Game**


 * Current Events Article Ecosystems on the Brink:**

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 * 5/16 Classwork after completion of Owl Pellet Lab and Analysis questions: Take time to watch a few of these videos regarding the carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus cycles. Copy the table below into your notebooks. When complete, your table should describe/explain the relationship or connection between each of the four listed Earth "spheres" to the three listed cycles of matter. Use the information reviewed in the videos to fill in the blank cells with appropriate descriptions and explanations. An example is given for the Hydrosphere/Carbon Cycle cell.**

the top of the worlds oceans and bodies of water. The dissolved CO2 is then circulated throughout the oceans and other large bodies of water where it is available to be used in a variety of ways by many organisms. The oceans serve as large reservoirs of carbon and is known as one of the largest carbon sinks. Upwelling of deep ocean waters can lift carbon back to the surface where it can be released back into the atmosphere. By cycling carbon, the ocean helps regulate climate across the globe. It is estimated that a third of all human generated carbon emissions has been stored in the oceans. The hydrosphere is intimately related to carbon cycling and climate regulation. ||  ||   ||
 * || **Carbon Cycle** || **Nitrogen Cycle** || **Phosphorus Cycle** ||
 * **Atmosphere** ||  ||   ||   ||
 * **Geosphere** ||  ||   ||   ||
 * **Biosphere** ||  ||   ||   ||
 * **Hydrosphere** || Carbon in the form of CO2 dissolves into

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 * Matter Cycling Video Content:**

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5.2 1. Producers convert carbon dioxide to carbohydrates during photosynthesis. Carbon is then passed on to consumers when they eat producers and other consumers. Producers and consumers release carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere during cellular respiration. 2. Fossil fuels contain carbon from plants and animals that died millions of years ago. When fossil fuels are burned, they release carbon into the atmosphere. 3. Excess use of fertilizer containing nitrogen and phosphorus can enter aquatic ecosystems in runoff, causing algal blooms which deplete them of oxygen. 4. Phosphorus is rarely cycled in the atmosphere, because it rarely occurs as a gas. Gases, such as atmospheric carbon and nitrogen, are easily exchangeable. 5. Some bacteria take in carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and release carbon dioxide during cellular respiration in the carbon cycle. Bacteria take in and fix nitrogen for other organisms to use in the nitrogen cycle. Decomposing bacterial also release carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus back into the environment. 6. …

5.3. 1. Primary succession occurs on a surface where no ecosystem previously existed secondary succession occurs on a surface where an ecosystem previously existed. 2. Pioneer species are the first organisms to colonize any newly available area and begin the process of ecological succession. 3. Some communities rely on fire to reproduce or eliminate invading species. Putting out forest fires in these communities will cause them to be taken over by other species and change into a different community. 4. Lichens can live without soil, so they colonize bare rock and begin to break it down through physical and chemical processes. 5. This is an example of secondary succession. Primary succession only occurs in areas where there was no previous ecosystem. 6. Lichens and the first old-field succession plants are pioneers. Lichens, however do not need soil to colonize an area.