Ecology Study Guide

Part I: Multiple Choice: (32 pts)

Key Vocabulary:

  • Community
  • Population
  • Ecosystem
  • Heterotroph
  • Autotroph
  • Producers
  • Consumers
  • Natality
  • Mortality
  • Immigration
  • Emigration
  • Carrying capacity
  • Know the functions and differences between detritivores and saprotrophs
  • Know how to estimate population numbers using:
  • quadrats
  • How is random sampling used?
  • capture-mark-release-recapture method (KNOW THE FORMULA!!!!)
  • Name types of factors limit population growth
  • Draw a graph showing the increase of population during exponential growth
  • Draw a tropic level pyramid. Be able to identify different organisms in their different tropic levels
  • Draw an energy pyramid. Know what units are used when constructing an energy pyramid
  • What is the initial source of all energy, in an energy pyramid?
  • Know how much energy is (approx) lost at each level. Gained?
  • Draw a picture demonstrating the greenhouse effect. Explain.
  • Know contributing factors to the greenhouse effect
  • Know possible consequences
  • Draw a picture of the carbon cycle. Identify its parts/functions.
  • Know the main sources of carbon dioxide on Earth
  • Know the precautionary principle

Part II: Data Analysis (x2) Set up like the example below. (15 marks total)

1.The energy flow diagram below for a temperate ecosystem has been divided into two parts. One part shows autotrophic use of energy and the other shows the heterotrophic use of energy. All values are kJm–2yr–1.

(a)Calculate the net production of the autotrophs.

(b)(i)Compare the percentage of heat lost through respiration by the autotrophs with the heterotrophs.

(1)

(ii)Most of the heterotrophs are animals. Suggest one reason for the difference in heat losses between the autotrophs and animal heterotrophs.

(1)

The heterotrophic community can be divided into food webs based upon decomposers and food webs based upon herbivores. It has been shown that of the energy consumed by the heterotrophs, 99% is consumed by the decomposer food webs.

(c)State the importance of decomposers in an ecosystem.

(1)

(d)Deduce the long-term effects of sustained pollution which kills decomposers on autotrophic productivity.

(2)

(Total 6 marks)

Part III: Short Essays (20 marks total)

You will have 11 choices. You will need to write 3-5 short answer essay questions, adding up to a total of 20 marks. Below are key words and possible marks from the 11 prompts.

  1. Quadrat method (6)
  2. Humans impacts on ecosystems (8)
  3. Symbiotic relationships (6)
  4. Greenhouse Gases (6)
  5. Biodiversity (7)
  6. UV radiation (3)
  7. Energy and Nutrient Cycling (8)
  8. Estimating populations (4)
  9. Population changes (8)
  10. Trophic Level Pyramids (4)
  11. Energy Pyramids (8)