Ecosystem Ecology

 Ecosystem Ecology

Guided Inquiry

Dr. Pool 

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1. In your own words,explain why Carbon is considered the energy currency of ecosystems? (For this question keep your answer very clear and concise; only a sentence or two)

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2. The article highlights that the sun is the ultimate source of energy within most ecosystems. Provide an example (a sequence of specific plants/animals) of how energy enters an ecosystem and travels through multiple trophic levels (i.e. Ocean, Rainforest, Rocky Mountains). 

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3. The article mentions there is a “net balance” for photosynthesis and respiration on our planet and provides the two equations for those very important reactions. Given that information, one of your classmates mentions “I think there might be more chemical energy produced in forest ecosystems in Barbados in contrast to the Hoh Rainforest in Washington State.” Why would your classmates’ hypothesis be a good one given what you know about ecosystem processes?

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4. Even though some of these ecosystem ecology concepts may be new to you, you already have the conceptual framework to understand how energy moves into food webs at a global scale. Furthermore, you can identify patterns and hypothesize why those patterns occur. In Fig. 1, we see that a great deal of primary production (i.e. photosynthesis) is occurring in the ocean as well as on the land. Does your group think that primary production patterns are similar or different in the oceans and on land at a global scale? (Does the land mimic patterns in the water) Explain your answer. 

Keep in mind that primary producers need Carbon, water, light energy, AND nutrients which can sometimes be limiting in some ecosystems. 

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5. One of the benefits of approaching scientific questions with an ecosystem approach is that we can identify how large scale challenges are impacting the planet. In the ocean, a “Biological Pump” is an important part of our global net balance for carbon that may be negatively impacted by climate change. Please explain the biological pump concept after watching the following video.

The Biological Pump on Vimeo by Parafilms 

https://vimeo.com/162911910

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