4 Ecosystems example essay topic

363 words
Ch. 1 introduction: sustainability, stewardship, sound science A. The global environmental picture - population growth, degradation of soils, global atmospheric changes, loss of biodiversity B. Three unifying themes - sustainability, stewardship, sound science C. Brief history of environmentalism & modern environmental movement; some laws passed by EPA Ch. 2 - structure of ecosystems A. Climate - pp. 213-15 & pp. 501-4 & handouts of diagrams (doldrums, horse latitudes, IT CZ, gulf stream, NE + SE trade winds, Hadley cell) B. What are ecosystems Terms pp. 26-28 C. Major terrestrial biomes & aquatic systems & oceanic profile D. Ecosystem structure - terms pp. 28-42 E. Diagrams pp. 37, 34 (food web in general), 41, 45 (fig 2-21) Ch. 3 Ecosystems: How they work A. Matter, energy, & life - know terms & examples of each - pp. 54-66 B. First & second laws of thermodynamics / Law of conservation of matter & energy C. Know Endergonic / Exergonic graphs D. Know equations for cellular respiration & photosynthesis E. Know table 3-1 p. 54 - the 4 principles of sustainability F. Principles of ecosystem function - Energy flow; Primary production; Energy flow & efficiency; Gross / Net primary production; carbon cycle G. Implications for humans - p. 75 fig. 3-22 Ch. 4 ecosystems: Populations & Succession A. Population dynamics - Growth curves, biotic potential vs. environmental resistance (fig. 4-2 & 4-4); Know terms pp. 83-87 B. Mechanisms of population equilibrium - fig. 4-5 predator-prey relationships; effect of introduced species; territoriality; plant-herbivore dynamics, ; competition between plants; terms pp. 87-94 C. Disturbance & succession - terms pp. 94-99; primary, secondary; fig. 4-17; terms pp. 101-102 - 4th principal of sustainability Ch. 5 Ecosystems & Evolutionary Change A. Terms pp. 109-113 B. Genetics terms from notes & pp. 113-116 C. Speciation (pp. 116-120) D. Notes on Darwin, Evidence for evolution & natural selection, as well as handouts showing developmental similarities & homologous structures E. Limits of change (pp. 122-124) & punctuated equilibrium Georges Bank - Be able to label the map of the gulf of Maine, identify commercial fish species; terms pp. 293-297 & notes (commons, Magnuson Act, Sustainable Fisheries Act, etc).