Study Guide 1.2

The carbon cycle includes two main categories of processes. Some that release carbon into the atmosphere and some that act as carbon reservoirs. The diagram below shows both major process categories, and gives examples of activities for both. Which of these disruptions would cause a decrease in atmospheric carbon?

• A reduction in the consumption of fossil fuels
• A decreases in populations marine biota
• The destruction of terrestrial biota
• An increase in cement production

The diagram below shows a model of the water cycle. Which of the following arrows is showing the wrong pathway?

• runoff
• evaporation
• transpiration
• condensation

A team of ecologists observed feeding patterns of several populations in the desert. The energy pyramid shown below depicts the feeding patterns the ecologists observed. Which of the following best explains the difference in the amount of available energy in the trophic levels of the desert ecosystem?

• There is less energy available in the producers because their tissues are less dense than those at higher trophic levels.
• There is more energy available in the second trophic level because less energy is needed for hunting compared to the higher trophic levels.
• There is more available energy in the birds of prey because they have greater muscle mass for storing energy than organisms in lower trophic levels have.
• There is less available energy in the fourth trophic level because of the loss of energy through metabolism in each of the lower trophic levels

Which of the following best describes how the amount of energy changes as it flows from one trophic level to the next in the marine food web shown below?

• Energy increases as it is transferred from penguins to seals, since seals are larger than penguins.
• Energy decreases as it is transferred from fish to squid, since fish are producers and squid are consumers.
• When krill consume phytoplankton, about 90 percent of the phytoplankton's energy is transferred to the krill.
• When sea birds consume fish, about 10 percent of the fish’s energy is transferred to the sea birds.

Water is essential for life. Its special properties make water the single most important molecule in plant life. Which of the following properties of water enables it to move from the roots to the leaves of plants?

• Water expands as it freezes.
• Water is an excellent solvent.
• Water exhibits cohesive behavior.
• Water is able to moderate temperature.

Wekiva springs' maintains a chilly 72 degrees Fahrenheit year round, creating a stable environment for organisms. Which property of water ensures the stability of this habitat?

• versatility as a solvent
• moderate temperature
• expansion upon freezing
• cohesion

Which of the following is an environmental cost of using renewable resources?

• low greenhouse gas emissions.
• resources are replaceable by healthy ecosystems
• lower energy output than nonrenewable resources
• takes up an ecological footprint that destroys habitats

Which of the following would be most effective at reducing air and water pollution?

• using fossil fuels in factories
• increasing the use of natural gas to heat homes
• increasing biological magnification with the oceans
• promoting the use of renewable resources for home energy

When taken to a new habitat, invasive plants often threaten native plants of the new habitat. Why do non-native plants threaten native plants?

• Invasive plants are able to mutate rapidly.
• Invasive plants cause native plants to relocate.
• Invasive plants are able to be used for medicine.
• Invasive plants compete with native plants for resources.

1. Summer solstice is the one day of the year with the most sunlight. Predict how extended hours of sunlight on this day will impact the water cycle?

• There will be a decrease in percolation.
• There will be an increase in evaporation.
• There will be a decrease in precipitation.
• There will be an increase in condensation.