POTLUCK MONDAY :) Farmers market food only.....whole foods and plant based....no processed foods :) Bring your own plate and spoon/fork that is reusable so that we do not generate any trash!

study guide for juniors see below:)
please know the following concepts

-how to interpret a basic scientific experiment/analyze data and draw conclusions

-acid rain effects on forest ecosystems

-rule of 70 or doubling time formula

-properties of ozone in both the troposphere and the stratosphere

-radon gas....sources and effects

-plastics and how the fail to biodegrade

-major air pollutants and their effects

-study figure 18-2 on page 433

-primary vs secondary air pollutants (be able to identify)

-the concept of pesticide resistance in agriculture

-the history of energy use in the US, see past homework for specifics

-nuclear power and how it is generated and what it is used for in the world

-the history of wood as a fuel source in the US

-layers of the earth's atmosphere (temperature changes and special features of each)

-formula for crude growth rate (or just growth rate of a population)

-non point vs point sources of pollution (be able to identify each)

-read a basic human population growth graph

-how infectious disease spreads and how climate change impacts the spread of disease

-factors that influence global climate (i.e. oceans etc)

-aquaculture.....specifically salmon farming

-r selected vs. k selected species characteristics

-IPM (integrated pest management)

-characteristics of grassland biomes

-cost-benefit analysis

-pH scale

-community/population/ecosystem

-how to mitigate salmon deaths from dams

-clear cut/selective cut/tree plantation as well as logging in our National Forests

-clay/silt and sand....permeability and porosity

-El Nino, all of the stuff I taught you

-externalizing the cost

-global water use break down

-co-evolution

-leaching....what is it

-contour plowing/farming

-cogeneration

-agricultural practices and the common uses/effects 

-theory of Island biogeography

-the effects of sulfate aerosols on albedo

 

hi seniors here are your study subjects for the final exam :) Enjoy!

1. know the following environmental acts: ESA, Kyoto protocol, Montreal Protocol, NEPA, Wilderness Act

2. know the following types of energy sources as well as advantages and disadvantages of each

-photo-voltaic

-geothermal

-biomass

-hydroelectric

-hydrogen fuel cell

3. biotic potential

4. carrying capacity

5. ocean zones and their characteristics (euphotic, coastal, etc)

6. types and effects of indoor air pollutants

7. how to calculate a kwh

8. primary productivity and which ecosystems have high/low NPP

9. properties of water

10. advantages and disadvantages of Dams

11. major causes of loss of biodiversity

12. AMD

13. Characteristics of the tropical rainforest

14. Exponential growth

15. IPM - integrated pest management

16. solutions to mitigate climate change

17. photochemical smog

18. the role of nitrogen oxides in the creation of smog

19. sewer science

20. invasive species (effects of)

21. gray water

22. effects of climate change

23. dose response curve

24. Global energy balance https://earthscience.stackexchange.com/questions/13600/what-is-the-difference-between-radiation-balance-and-the-global-energy-balance?rq=1

25. population momentum

26. indicators of quality of life

27. majors sources of carbon dioxide

28. bio-accumulation endocrine disruptors

29. Northern spotted owl https://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/articles.cfm?id=149489595

30. the hole in the ozone, causes and effects

31. strictly anthropogenic ghg

32. CBR/CDR and growth rate for human populations

33. Acid rain causes and effects and solutions

34. Generally be able to interpret the results of a scientific experiment

 

 

 

this is crazy! we have to do something about this! 

HI Guys! Some misc info: The IPCC is the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. This organization is a branch of the United Nations. They have recently released their new/present findings on Climate change. There are three parts to their report: 1) outlines the physical evidence supporting the idea that humans are causing climate change (CO2 levels increasing, Global temp increase, melting of ice caps, ice core samples etc) 2) outlines the effects of climate change on natural and human systems, the effects of sea level rise, food production, disease transmission, severity of storms, and damage from storms etc. 3) outlines proposals for taking action to reduce GHG emissions. Possible ideas would be cap and trade for CO2 emissions, changing the way we raise livestock, etc. The US must be on board for taking action or the plans for reduction will not be effective. We as a country, were not on board with the Kyoto protocol, therefore it was an ineffective way to reduce emissions. We are the highest per capita producers of carbon dioxide in the world. Now China is the highest emitter collectively. Paris climate accord!

Now for your homework:

1.Read the following article describe the process

 

2. please watch the following 5 minute video on using cow dung to generate electricity and heat using an anaerobic methane digester. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5vV_K4533A describe the process

 

3.Next please do the free response on the methane digester 2009 #2 only.....do it with out looking up the answers first, then in a different color pen, go back and make corrections, you must do this do get points. Be honest about it

see below for the question 2009 #2 I will not collect this

 

#2, 2009. Anaerobic methane digesters have been used for many years to reduce energy costs on farms throughout Europe and on some large farms in the United States. The digesters operate by using anaerobic bacteria to break down animal waste. During the process, which typically uses a tank heated to about 100°F (38 C) to speed the reactions, raw manure is broken down and methane is produced. The methane can then be used to generate electricity or produce heat.

 

For a certain dairy farm with 500 cows, the cost of installing a digester is approximately $400,000. Assume that the farm uses 800,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity each year at a cost of $0.10 per kWh. The waste from

a single cow can produce 3.0 kWh of electricity each day.

(a) Describe the steps by which methane produced in the digester can be used to generate electricity.

(b) Discuss TWO environmental benefits that may result from the installation of an anaerobic methane digester.

(c) Assuming that the cost of electricity remains constant and the farmer starts using the manure from the cows in an anaerobic digester to produce electricity on the farm, calculate:

(i) The number of kWh of electricity that can be produced in one year

(ii) The amount of money the farmer can save in one year, NOT counting the installation cost of the digester. (You may round your answer to the nearest $1,000.)

(iii) The amount of time, in years, that it will take to recover the cost of installing an anaerobic digester on the farm. (You may round your answer to the nearest whole number of years.)

(d) Calculate the minimum number of cows the farm would need to produce 800,000 kWh of electricity per year.

I will not collect this

 

Please read pages 310-315 and then answer the following questions.   
Questions:  I will not collect this
1. What, according to the UN, is the biggest threat to the world's water supply? (310) 
2. What is the direct quote by the leader of the study about oil/water? (310) 
3. read the case study on page 312.....what happened in Bolivia? 
4. Describe some benefits and some disadvantages of water privatization (312) 
5. Since there seems to be a global water crisis, what our some options for getting more fresh water? 312 
6. what do you think is the greatest disadvantage to withdrawing groundwater? (table page 313) and why 
7. what's land "subsidence" and more specifically what is a sink hole? 
8. What is a "saltwater intrusion"

 

 

Greetings,  we will be entering into the subject of Water Pollution, a very important topic to this class. Please begin by reading the first 10 pages of chapter 21, AND then please read through the following website on water pollution http://www.waterbenefitshealth.com/types-of-water-pollution.html (read about each of the 7 seven types of pollution described) next do the following:)

 

1.  Now list the types of pollutants and list a source of each of these types of pollution

2..What is fecal coliform and what does it's presence in the water indicate?

3. Looking at figure 21-3, what would be considered a "good" level for dissolved oxygen? What would be considered a DO level in which the water is heavily polluted?

4. Look at the figure 21-4 on page 497. How would you describe the difference between BOD and DO?

5. Describe the Cuyahoga river conundrum and explain how it ended up helping clean up Americas water ways.

6. Contrast river/ stream pollution in developed countries vs river pollution in developing countries

NEXT 
Do a little research on the Clean Water Act, summarize it and tell what it does for the United states. Then find one other act or piece of legislation that deals with water (any thing having to do with water) then summarize that law and tell why it is important
Then read the next 5 pages of ch. 21 and summarize the following three things 

 

1. pollution in the great lakes

2. Ocean pollution and clean up

3. The Chesapeake bay situation.

 

 

So  for the next hw please read the rest of ch 21. Some of the reading is about sewage treatment, just go over that again, also be sure to read about septic systems and how they work. One thing you should know for the AP test is the fact that when oil spills happen in the ocean, CRUDE OIL is more biodegradable than refined oil, be sure you know that. Also, be familiar with the hypoxia situation in the Gulf of Mexico. Pay special attention to the case study on page 515 about protecting watersheds instead of building water purification plants. 
summarize that case study in one paragraph in your notebook. The following are concepts that you should have a good grasp on from this chapter, we will not have time to take a test on this chapter.
1. tell what happens in each phase of water treatment, primary, secondary, and advanced, what occurs in each phase
2. describe the meaning of and the effects of: fecal coliform nitrates, phosphates, acidity, turbidity, hardness, dissolved oxygen, salinity, COD/BOD
3. tell what point vs non point sources of pollution and effects are
4. explain Eutrophication/cultural eutrophication
5. describe the Clean Water Act
6. tell How acidic water affects aquatic life
7. what is the Oxygen SAG curve
8. what are some ecosystem functions of wetlands/estuaries
9. AMD- define it
11. Endocrine disruptors what are they?
12. Common methods of cleaning up oil spills----explain 'em

TAKE THE PRACTICE TEST BELOW!!!! by clicking on the link here: http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/env-sci-released-exam-1998.pdf

Practice test is for people taking the AP test :)

 

Students who are taking the AP test, if you want to get a head start on studying some of the information we won't have much time to go over I am attaching the outlines for chapter 19 (air pollution) and chapter 22 ( solid and hazardous waste)

in the next post for the same date, I also attached the power points and some specific questions to go with them, I will not be collecting this, this is for you to prepare for the test

This post is for students taking the AP test to go along with Chapters 19, 20 and 22

Chapter 19:

1.what are some major sources of air pollution?

2.what are primary vs secondary pollutants, and give examples of each

3.what are the major pollutants (442) and what are their effects

4.what are "urban Heat Islands" (google this) and what is a temperature inversion and what factors lead to a place or area being particularly susceptible to having recurrent temperature inversions? 

5. Which pollutant is targeted by the use of a "wet scrubber" (page 459-solutions to reducing air pollution) in a coal factory? see page 460 for a pic of this

6. What pollutant is targeted by the use of an electrostatic precipitator (same page as #5) ?

7. Please read about "cap and trade" page 458 explain this method of reducing sulfur in the air

Greetings:)  per 3 and 4 bring your books to class, i will be on the field trip, you can work on this assignment in class on this day. If you finish this early, please work on your "Abiotic Factors/Estuary Biozone Activity"

for periods 5 and 6 this is homework due Thursday the 11th 
I would like you to read pages 305-310. Please answer the following questions

1. explain (from reading on page 306) how water is distributed throughout the earth, and describe the three main ways we degrade our earths water 
2. Explain (page 307) what "groundwater" is and then explain what an "aquifer" is. 
3. What are some places in the world that have nonrenewable aquifers, and what is the analogy your book uses for us to overdraw these aquifers? (307) 
4. Differentiate between surface water, surface runoff, and a watershed or drainage basin. 
5. Agree or disagree with this statement and explain your self "if we withdraw large amounts of groundwater, it won't matter because there is plenty of surface water available for us" 
6. Now differentiate between consumptive and nonconsumptive water use and answer this: would agricultural use of water be consumpive or nonconsumptive and would a power plant using some ocean water to cool its generators be consumptive or nonconsumptive? 308-309 
7. Compare the eastern US with the Western US in terms of how water is distributed and how it is used. 309-310 
8. Now back to the case study chapter opener would you rather live in a land with plentiful water or plentiful oil? why?

 

Bring your book for this week :)

Hi Students, it is very important that you do this homework in order to pass the AP test :)

First, please read all of chapter 10 and 11 this information will be on the AP test, but we will not have much time to go over it in class, also check out chapter 10 and 11 power points which are attached. The ch 10 homework will take some time, so start early, it is attached.

 

Dear students, because this is an AP class, it is important that you do all homework, today I had 26 students not do their homework,  eeewwww!!!! 

So, from now on, the penalty for not doing homework will be steeper. 5 participation points will be deducted instead of 2. 

Hi Students, please read pages 418-425 in your book. Then please respond to the following prompts:

1. As you read the chapter opener, what has changed about the HIV epidemic since this book was written....it's pretty glaring!

2. What are some of the social/economics effects that AIDS has had in countries such as Botswana.

3. What are the differences between risk, risk assessment, risk management and probability and possibility? ALSO please study diagram 18-3

4. What are the worlds 7 most deadly diseases?

5. What is the "BAD NEWS" discussed at the top of page 421 (upper left)

6. After reading about TB, tell me a little bit about it

7. Read about the FLU page 422

8. Explain the life cycle of malaria

9. What are some solutions for managing malaria? And what are some of the challenges that go along with some of these solutions?

10. Looking at the chart on page 424 18-8......Describe what you think are the top two ways to reduce infectious disease globally

11. As you read the section on ECOLOGICAL MEDICINE and DISEASE, what is it that is described in the reading as a main reason for the rise in the spread of infectious disease

 

This is for per 5/6 only, please bring your Biozone "Abiotic factors influence Distribution" activity that we started a few weeks ago, we will work on this on Thursday. 

 

Okay, for this homework the first thing I would like you to do is do a bit of research. Find one disease (avoid just researching "diarrhea" it's not really a disease per se)  that is affected by human population growth. In other words, as population increases, the disease also increases within the population. You can use Wikipedia if you like. For that disease, find out what causes it, how it is spread, what the symptoms are, where is it prevalent, and what is being done to try to eradicate it. Also discuss how population density impacts this disease. You can use a disease that is currently prevalent in the population or you can discuss a disease from past times, that is now under control in the human population. 
Here's a website with some ideas and explanations: http://dieoff.org/page165.htm
I would say one half of a page is needed to sum up all the info. 

For our field trip, 4/3 (per 3 and 4) and 4/10 (per 5 and 6)

If it looks like rain: BRING SOME DRY CLOTHES AND A TOWEL JUST IN CASE

BRING A RAIN PONCHO...UMBRELLA WON'T WORK WHEN ROWING

Hi Students, please consider the following when preparing for our field trip:

1. Bring your own lunch....there is no food there

2. Bring a refillable water container...enough to last the whole day

3. Bring a hat to shield you from the sun or rain

4. Bring CLOSED TOE SHOES for the short hike...no sandals allowed

5. Bring shoes that can get wet as well

6. meet in MS May's room at 8:20 am

Hi Students, the following is a list of concepts you will need to know for Ch. 9 test on Monday 4/1, here are some guidelines for what to study (repeat post)

IF YOU WERE ABSENT ON FRIDAY, you still have to take the test on monday
-please know how to do growth rate problems, know the formula for calculating growth rate
-know the different age structure graphs
-know how to calculate a problem in which you have to tell how many people are added to a country in a year if population and growth rate are given
-know the stages of demographic transition and know whether or not birth rates and death rates are high or low in each phase
-know the general definition of replacement level fertility and what the actual number is globally and why it's slightly higher than 2
-know the general population of the US and of the World
-know how to use scientific notation to solve basic math problems with lots of zeros
-know how population growth varies between developed and developing countries
-know the definition of population momentum, 
-know what infant mortality rate is and know what life expectancy is
-know what urbanization is and know how TFR changes as urbanization takes place
-read about population issues related specifically to the US, I will not really be covering this in class, so read about it in your book and look at that section of the power point that was attached for ch. 9 power point (see attachments) 
-know the top three most populous countries
-know how to do doubling time problems, the rule of 70
-know the steps for solving a problem in which you are asked to calculate population in future years
-know which cultural factors bring down total fertility rate within a society

Hi Students, the following is a list of concepts you will need to know for Ch. 9 quiz, here are some guidelines for what to study
-please know how to do growth rate problems, know the formula for calculating growth rate
-know the different age structure graphs
-know how to calculate a problem in which you have to tell how many people are added to a country in a year if population and growth rate are given
-know the stages of demographic transition and know whether or not birth rates and death rates are high or low in each phase
-know the general definition of replacement level fertility and what the actual number is globally and why it's slightly higher than 2
-know the general population of the US and of the World
-know how to use scientific notation to solve basic math problems with lots of zeros
-know how population growth varies between developed and developing countries
-know the definition of population momentum, 
-know what infant mortality rate is and know what life expectancy is
-know what urbanization is and know how TFR changes as urbanization takes place
-read about population issues related specifically to the US, I will not really be covering this in class, so read about it in your book and look at that section of the power point that was attached for ch. 9 power point (see attachments) 
-know the top three most populous countries
-know how to do doubling time problems, the rule of 70
-know the steps for solving a problem in which you are asked to calculate population in future years
-know which cultural factors bring down total fertility rate within a society

Hola! please do the attached free response on human population from 2008 #4 (only do # 4). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello students! please finish reading ch 9. this is most def a very important chapter to read!

Then, please respond to the following questions based on your reading of Ch 9
1.From the info discussed on page 176 describe one economic factor that affects the TFR of people in developed countries
2. How does urbanization affect the TFR in both developed and developing countries?
3. How does TFR change with access to education?
4. What has had more of an effect on the worlds population growth CBR or CDR, Explain?
5. In reference to Q 4 what do you think is the single most important factor that has decreased CDR worldwide, defend your answer.
6.What are the two most useful indicators of the health of a country and why is this so?

*please use the TEXT book to find all of the answers :)

Hello Students!

Upon doing the reading (first 10 pages of ch. 9) Please answer the following questions :)
1) From the reading of chapter 9 chapter opener page 171....What is one "fact" that has already changed pretty dramatically since our text was written in 2006?
2) From the reading page 172-Contrast population growth rates of developed nations with growth rates of developing nations....give one explanation for this contrast.
3) Was Thomas Malthus right or wrong....explain.
4) What, in your opinion, is the Earth's carrying capacity-----EXPLAIN.
5) What do you think would be the OPTIMUM population of people on the planet....explain
6) What's CBR (crude birth rate) and CDR (crude death rate)
7) Why is Africa's CBR so high while Europe's CBR so low?
8) What is the Earth's third most populated country?
9) What is the difference between replacement level fertility and total fertility rate, and which one of these would have to be achieved globally to reduce human population growth?
10) Name 3 ways (according to your textbook reading) that the US has changed since 1905

please get ALL of your answers from the reading in the TEXT book :)

Hi guys!  please take a look at your homework Questions 1-14 from Chapter 8 reading pages 161-170, am attaching the answers to those questions and your job is to CORRECT your homework, I would like you to use a different color pen and add on info if needed. Please be sure you have read about and understand these concepts from questions 1-14. I will need to see evidence of correction for you to get credit.

Next, be sure you have read the entire chapter 8 and then respond to the following questions:
1. What is population density?
2. Compare/contrast density dependent limiting factors with density independent limiting factors and give two examples of each.
3. Species use different reproductive patterns to ensure their survival we call these strategies r-selected and k-selected. How do r-selected species ensure the survival of their offspring?
4. What are some characteristics of K-selected species.
5. What is a survivorship curve? give two examples of organisms that are late loss, consistent loss, and early loss.
6. Read the blurb on page 166 figure 8-7. What is top down population control and bottom up population control?

permission slips due today :)

New study guide for chapter 7 and 8 test. This test will be a culmination of several different topics that we have covered in this class. This test will be on Monday. Please study the following, some of which is review from previous chapters/lectures

-figure 8-3

-eutrophication

-mitigation banking 

-groundwater recharge

-floodplains and soil fertility

-sea level rise

-saltwater intrusion

-case study page 146

-species diversity

-keystone species

-figure 8-10

-pages 154-155 

-coastal wetlands

-homework video on wetlands

-biotic potential

-succession (both primary and secondary)

-case study p 149

-figure 7-3

-species migration/climate change article - homework

-acid rain

-el nino 

-NPP

-harmful algae bloom

-carbon sink

-natural selection

-survivorship curves

-a few questions on parasitism, mutualism, etc
-a question or two on mimicry, camouflage etc

-There will also be some AP Questions that I feel you should be able to master at this point :)

 

 

For this homework please read chapter 7 and 8

1. As you read about species diversity on page 145, there are two things that define species diversity, what are those two things?

2. Take a look at the picture I have attached on species evenness and species richness . Which picture, the left or right, shows more diversity and why? Describe the species evenness and richness in BOTH pictures

3. please explain the differences between a native species, a non-native species, an invasive species, and an alien species and know some specific examples of non-natives that have done harm to the ecosystem they were introduced into.

4. Read the section on Species diversity on Islands page 146. What are the two factors that determine species diversity on an Island?

5. What is an indicator species? What are some characteristics of amphibians that make them good indicator species?

6. We should already know what keystone species are.....be sure to know some specific examples from the reading

7. Read the why we should protect sharks. (page 149).....now tell me....why should we protect sharks?

8. How is an elephant an example of a foundation species?

9. Please explain interspecific competition, intraspecific competition, predation, parasitism, mutualism, and commensalism are

10. Read the section on page 152 about how prey defend against or avoid predators......should be review......explain this info

11. Read through the sections on page 156 and 157 on primary vs secondary succession, again should be review from biology. What are two primary differences between primary and secondary succession.

12. Read the sections on ecological stability and sustainability, pages 158 and 159, please explain what inertia (persistence), constancy, and resilience are. .

13. Please read through both ch. 7 and ch 8 power points tonight and tomorrow night in case you haven't yet done so expand description

 

Hi guys, homework:

1. give this video a watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3KCThs4XQU 

be sure you can explain why intact mangrove forests are so important in the face of climate change

2. give this NPR sound bite a listen http://www.npr.org/2013/01/30/170286658/drought-causes-ripple-effect-along-mighty-mississippi-river

be sure you know what a salt water intrusion is, and how the drought in the gulf area is creating this salt water intrusion.

3.make sure you know the fishing techniques!! trawling, trolling, gill net, purse seine, dredging, jigging, long lining, harpooning, fishing pole fishing. (Check out previous link/post)

4.  I am attaching power points for chapters 7 and 8, take a look. I will be putting up study guides as well. Please be advised that you will need to keep up with the learning in these two chapters on your own, we will not have much time in class to cover the material, but you are still responsible for it.

Hi students, this homework will take some time so start early and do a thorough job.

First, do only the second free response attached below (on the Gulf of Mexico)

next watch the video clip below and answer the following questions.based on the info from the video....not some random answer

1. Subsidence-what does it lead to?

2. How do wetlands build up through sediment deposition?

3. What is the thermal expansion of the ocean?

4. How do dams affect sediment deposition in a river delta?

5. How does global warming lead to an increase in sediment deposition?

6. What is a salt water intrusion?

 

 

27$$$$$$$$$$ due today, please help me out and bring it on time, a check to WHS will be fine if you only have cash bring exact amount i don't have change

FIELD TRIP TIME WOO WOO

HI students for tonight's homework please click on the link below and read the  entire dialog then summarize it in a fat paragraph. Then.....make an argument for saving the Delta Smelt

Hi students, chapter 6 test on aquatic ecosystems is on 3/11

also  students, please click on the link below and check out these fishing practices, the link on the power point does not work. You will need to know these for the AP test

change of plans test on chapter 4 monday, Monday's hw is due tuesday, everything else has been fixed as far as the due date goes :)

Students, please read chapter 6 on Aquatic biomes...this will be a quick chapter so please do the reading to maximize your understanding of the material :)
For the homework please then do a bit of research on Coral reefs. Explain what coral reefs are. Then explain the important functionssssss of coral reefs to the planet Earth. Next describe the different waysssss that coral reefs are being threatened. Include a discussion on some of the longterm consequencesssss of the destruction of coral reefs. Now please do the following free response WITHOUT looking up the answers, then look up the answers and correct it. I need to see EVIDENCE of you correcting your responses after you attempted the question,, so quite honestly for the most part, in general, if their is no evidence of correction, I must assume you are either really smart or you just copied the answers:) PLEASE ONLY DO #2 ON CORAL REEFS (2011) Practicing free responses is a great way to prepare for the AP test!

 

Scientific evidence suggests that life on earth has been present for around 4.7 billion years. The first 1 billion years was involved in chemical evolution followed by and continuing with biological evolution which has produced the variety of organisms on earth today.

a. explain the difference between biological and chemical evolution.

b. what is natural selection and how has that played a role in the evolutionary process?

c. now that climate change is upon us, there are some changes taking place in ecosystems in response to climate change. please read the following article and summarize the main idea(s) in 5-9 sentences. http://oregonstate.edu/ua/ncs/archives/2011/nov/climate-change-causing-movement-tree-species-across-west

who knew trees could move?!

Print out notes see attachments

 

The test for chapter 4 will be on Friday, all multiple choice, less than 40 questions but more than 30. Please do the study guide attached a few days ago.

 

As you know the Soil lab is due on the 19th, however, I will formally collect it on the 20th/21st (the day of the soil/cycles test) so if you need an extra day, there ya go!!!

HI Folks, although we still need to spend some time learning about the bio-geo-chemical cycles, I am attaching the study guide for this test ( soil and cycles multiple choice) I would like to plan the test for tuesday 2/19, this is the same day your soil lab is due, so please plan accordingly :)

The Biodiversity in Ecosystems Diverse vs Sparse is due today (MONDAY)

Bring your biogeochemical cycles homeworks today

also finish the soil texture biozone worksheet

the permeability, porosity and particle size lab is due Friday. You will have a free response test next Tuesday on soil

see attachment for hw 

As you may know by now, the biogeochemical cycles describe the movement of certain elements through earths atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere. Because these elements cycle through the ecosystems, they can be used over and over again by new generations of organisms. Each biogeochemical cycle has different pathways and various reservoirs or "sinks" (storehouses) where these elements may reside for days or millions of years.

 Please read through the following links AND SLIDES 82-100 from the Chapter 3 power point and then answer the questions below

https://www.classzone.com/books/ml_science_share/vis_sim/em05_pg20_nitrogen/em05_pg20_nitrogen.swf

http://www.sumanasinc.com/webcontent/animations/content/phosphorouscycle.html

http://www.cengage.com/biology/discipline_content/animations/sulfur_cycle.html

1.  Describe a biological process in which carbon is removed from the atmosphere and converted into organic molecules.
2.  Describe a biological process in which carbon is converted from organic molecules to a gas and returned to the atmosphere
3.  Explain how atmospheric carbon is incorporated into two ocean sinks
4. Identify one terrestrial sink, other than fossil fuels, that stores carbon for thousands to millions of years
5. The burning of fossil fuels has been shown to increase atmospheric carbon, what are TWO other HUMAN activities that increase the concentration of Carbon in the atmosphere?
6. Identify an environmental problem that results from elevated atmospheric carbon concentrations, DISCUSS one consequence of the problem you identified.
7. Describe one major way that the phosphorus cycle differs from the carbon cycle.
8. Identify one reason that phosphorus is necessary for organisms.
9. What is one way that humans influence the sulfur cycle?

 

 

bring your 10 concepts hw from a few days back and GPP/NPP lab is due

Hi homework is to re-read pages 50-67 in your book and study for the test on Friday, there will be questions from this reading on the test. Also, work on the study guide attached last week, (not due) And friendly reminder: GPP/NPP lab write up is due Friday. Please remember, no plagiarism, and everyone put in equal work. If you don't help, you don't get credit. Only put the names of students who actually contributed on the lab on the write up. If you absolutely need to, you can turn in the lab on Monday with no penalty

please do attached zebra mussel free response

Hi Students! Your homework for tonight involves doing some research. Please go online and research "Biodiversity in Ecosystems". You can also try the following terms and phrases as well: biodiversity, monoculture, diverse ecosystems vs. sparse ecosystems, ecosystem diversity etc.

After you check out several websites and read through the information on those websites, list (in bullet point form) TEN (10) concepts that relate to this topic (biodiversity in ecosystems)

Did you know that Termites are social insects that are essential decomposers in tropical rain forest ecosystems? Termites may account for up to 95 percent of insect biomass in tropical rain forests! Termites consume vast amounts of dead and decomposing plant material, thanks to the work of mutualistic cellulose-digesting microorganisms that inhabit their guts. In addition to their roles as important decomposers, termites digest plant materials and directly contribute to carbon dioxide and methane emissions into the atmosphere. It is likely that, like many insect species, termites and their symbionts may be sensitive to changes in their microclimate caused by global climate change, especially with regard to temperature and humidity.

LOOK AT THE TABLE BELOW it shows the rate of wood consumption of termites in mg/day/termite at different conditions of temperature and relative humidity. As you know, a warming climate can affect both temperature and relative humidity (moisture). The way you would read the chart is: For example, at 25 degrees and 70% humidity each termite eats .07 mg/day of wood. Got it?
When I save these directions, the chart is altered so just to clarify, temperature is to the far left and relative humidity is the 50%, 70% and 90% and the amount of wood eaten is shown in the middle :)

Relative Humidity
temp                   50%   70%     90%
20°C                   0.04   0.05    0.05
25°C                   0.05   0.07    0.10
30°C                   0.12   0.13    0.27
35°C                   0.09   0.13    0.15
40°C                   0.00   0.00    0.00

(a) Respond to the following using the data in the table above, which gives the rate of wood consumption by termites, in mg per day per termite, under various temperature and relative humidity conditions.
Under optimal conditions, the emission rate of methane by termites is approximately 70 kilograms of CH₄ per year per 1,000 termites.

(i) According to the data, what are the optimal temperature and relative humidity for termite activity?

(ii) Given a density of 4.5 × 10⁷ termites per hectare and optimal conditions, calculate the annual amount of methane emitted, in kilograms, by the termites inhabiting a 2,000-hectare tropical rain forest.

(iii) Suppose the temperature increases to 35°C and the relative humidity decreases to 50 percent. Using the data provided, determine the amount of methane, in kilograms, that would be emitted by the termites in the 2,000-hectare tropical rain forest.

(iv) Explain why the population size of termites is also affected by temperature and humidity
.
(b) It has been observed that soon after a tropical rain forest is cleared, termite density increases to an estimated 6.8 × 10⁷ termites per hectare. Thereafter, the termite population size decreases dramatically.

(i) What is the most likely reason that the density of the termites increases when a tropical rain forest is cleared?

(ii) Why do the termite populations eventually decrease dramatically?

Hi! for tonights homework, please read the following prompt, then google "Healthy Forests Initiative"  or "HFI" read up on the purpose of this legislation. Now please respond to the questions below. You are now officially responsible for knowing what HFI is :)
Go ahead a google "clear cutting" too so you know what it means as well.

For decades, forest fires in the United States have been suppressed. In 2003 legislation was passed under the Healthy Forests Initiative (HFI) in response to the record-breaking wildfires that had occurred in the early 2000s. Some environmental and conservation groups fear that negative impacts could result if timber companies are encouraged to harvest medium- and large-size trees in federally owned forests while clearing away the smaller trees and underbrush.


(a) Identify TWO characteristics of forests that develop when fires are suppressed, and explain why the practice of fire suppression does not reduce, but actually increases, the risk of intense and extensive forest fires.

(b) The effects of the HFI are expected to extend beyond fire reduction. Excluding fire reduction, describe ONE positive and ONE negative effect likely to result from the implementation of the provisions of the HFI.

(c) Describe TWO ecosystem services provided for humans by forests. Explain how clear-cutting would affect each ecosystem service you describe.

(d) Identify a specific type of plant community or biome (other than a forest) that is naturally maintained by fire. Explain how the fire maintains the community or biome.

 Hi Folks, please continue to read 60-67 in ch 3

 

1 Please make up a complex food web., using the organisms from any biome you choose, include the names of the organisms and label the producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and third level consumers, also include at least one type of decomposer that would likely be found in the biome. You can use arrows to show energy transfer from organism to organism.
2.please write down the formula for respiration and then tell what the end products are if the respiration occurs under anaerobic conditions.
3. Look at the picture of the decomposers on page 61, research one of those decomposers and explain it's role in decomposition.
4. What is HIPPO? And why should we care about biodiversity?

 

Here are the power point notes for chapter 3, if you want to print them out, you can, if you don't want to print them out.....no problem :) 

biozone ecosystem ws given to you in class today, or if you still need to finish the FRQ on the tundra, do that as well, and be sure to get a rubric from me to grade it tomorrow

Hi Students, sorry, slight change of plans, please complete the following free response, bring this to class on 1/8; any even remote sign of plagiarism will result in a zero, (tough love)

Hello all, for the homework please read and comprehend the following pages in your book: pages 50 to 60. Then please respond to the following questions.
1. Can you please define ecology in your own words.
2. Please put the following in the correct order from the most specific to the most general:
-organism, ecosystem, biosphere, population, community
3. What are some of the important functions that bacteria have on this Earth?
4. Why is the recycling of matter an important part of what sustains life on earth?
5. Looking at the section on page 54 called What Happens to Solar Energy...." how much of the suns energy that reaches the earth plays a part in photosynthesis?
6. In the following phrase, identify both the biotic and abiotic factors " Low phosphorus (a nutrient) content in soil limits the growth of vegetation"
7. What are limiting factors? What would be one important limiting factor for a farmer who was planting corn? What would be the main limiting factor in the desert? 
8. Chose any biome or ecosystem and name it, then tell one likely limiting factor specific to that biome.
9. Where would you find the process of chemosynthesis taking place?
**** I am attaching the power point presentation for this chapter....so you can see ahead of time what we will be talking about.expand description