Download TEST #1 CH`s 4, 5, 10 FRQ`s

TEST #1 CH’s 4, 5, 10 FRQ’s
FRQ
1. Suppose that you have just started a summer internship working for a cooperative
extension service, where you will collect soil samples, conduct lab and field tests,
and make recommendations on soil conservation and agricultural practices.
A) Identify and describe one chemical soil test and one physical soil test that
could be performed and explain how the results of these tests will allow
the cooperative extension service to make specific recommendations for
sustainable agriculture?
B) Explain one advantage and one disadvantage to using inorganic
commercial fertilizers?
C) Describe 2 soil conservation practices that are designed to decrease soil
erosion?
D) Identify one biome that is characterized by soil that is rich in humus.
Describe how humus originated in the soils of this biome and 2 ways that
humus improves soil conditions for plant growth?
FRQ
2. Suppose you are an ecologist for the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
Your current research is studying the life cycle of monarch butterflies and the
relationships of energy transfer between food webs. On your current research you
determine the monarch caterpillar to have 5000g biomass as a secondary
consumer.
A) If the food chain of the monarch has 4 levels and your following the 10%
rule what would the biomass of the tertiary level be? What organism could
be at this level?
B) The 10% law follows what scientific law? Explain how this law relates to
trophic levels
C) If the produce is milkweed explain the difference between Net Primary
Productivity (NPP) and Gross Primary Productivity (GPP)
D) The monarch butterfly migrates form Mexico to the Northern United
States, which biome would have the highest NPP and why?
FRQ
3. In a recent Fremont town hall meeting Dr. Omar Amin suggested a total ban on
all inorganic fertilizers containing Nitrogen. He goes on to suggest that it would
be cheaper and more environmentally sound to plant Nitrogen Fixing cover crops
to enrich N fertility in soils.
A. Give one advantage and one disadvantage to using “organic” fertilizers?
B. How does planting a cover crop enhance N fertility? What process is occurring
in this step of the N. CYCLE?
C. Describe one chemical transformation that occurs in the N cycle and discuss
the importance of the step in the ecosystem (do not mention the step in part B).
D. Humans alter the N. cycle in many ways. Aside from the use of inorganic
fertilizers how else do people alter the N cycle?
FRQ
4. Read the following article from the Fremont Examiner “Worm Invasion”: A
researcher studying the ecology of the deciduous forest outside of Fremont has
made an alarming discovery. While taking an inventory on the species present on
the forest floor, Professor Tate discovered many earthworms of an Asian species
not previously know to live in the area. The Asian worms, unlike native worms,
have voracious appetites. The forest floor is home to a myriad of species that live
in the leaf litter, which is composed of years of decomposing leaves. Tate says the
leaf litter is critical to the survival of local species of forest plants. The Asian
worms consume the entire layer of leaf litter in a single season, which sets the
stage for a take over of invasive exotics like Japanese stilt grass.
A) Support Dr. Tate’s assertion that “the leaf litter is critical to the survival of
local species of forest plants” Include in your discussion the roles of leaf
litter in a deciduous forest ecosystem.
B) Describe 3 abiotic changes that would be likely to result if the exotic
worms consumed all the leaf litter in a single year
C) For one of the changes you identified in part B explain how the change
could set the stage for the takeover of Japanese stilt grass or other exotic
species
D) Design a controlled experiment to determine whether the worms in fact do
change the forest ecosystem. Identify the environmental factor you will
measure and include the specific hypothesis you will test and the data you
will collect