POLS 1500 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Keystone Species, Ecological Footprint, Phosphorus Cycle
15 May 2018
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Define the term sustainable development and how this is applied to the effective
management of a resource
Define the terms biocapacity and ecological footprint. Contrast Canada with the United
States in terms of these measures
Why is a person living in a less populated developed nation said to have a larger impact to
the environment than a person living in a highly populated less developed nation?
Explain how negative and positive feedback function to affect and moderate the
environmental processes such as population growth and carbon dioxide concentrations in
the atmosphere
Humans have profoundly influenced the nitrogen cycle through what pathway?
the carbon cycle through ……..
the phosphorus cycle through….
What is a food chain? How is it structured?
What laws/restrictions govern the flow of energy in ecosystems? What evidence is there
proving these laws/restrictions exist in the ecosystem?
What is an ecosystem? How do you define its boundaries?
Describe the steps involved in the transformation of carbon from carbon dioxide found in
the atmosphere to carbonates found in oceanic sediments; carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere to glucose in the hydrosphere.
Molecular nitrogen gas (N2) is the most abundant component of our atmosphere making
up 78%. Why then is it a limiting environmental resistance factor that modifies
populations of plants?
Identify a highly productive aquatic ecosystems; one that isn’t very productive. Why is
there such extremes in production across ecosystems?
What is the effect of the second law of thermodynamics on pyramids of energy and
biomass?
What is a keystone species and how does it impact the environment?
Identify whether the relationship is symbiotic (and which kind); competition; or
predation. Indicate whether it is beneficial; no impact; or harmful
(a) Lion King (Lion) and Timone (murkett)
(b) a dense population of Aspen growing along a hillside
(c) honey bees pollinate flowers
(d) Legumes do not require nitrogen fertilizer because of a bacterial population growing
in the roots of the plants
(e) your daughter refuses to give up your credit card when she moves out!
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Document Summary
Define the term sustainable development and how this is applied to the effective management of a resource. Explain how negative and positive feedback function to affect and moderate the environmental processes such as population growth and carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere. Humans have profoundly influenced the nitrogen cycle through what pathway? the carbon cycle through the phosphorus cycle through . Describe the steps involved in the transformation of carbon from carbon dioxide found in the atmosphere to carbonates found in oceanic sediments; carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to glucose in the hydrosphere. Molecular nitrogen gas (n2) is the most abundant component of our atmosphere making up 78%. Identify a highly productive aquatic ecosystems; one that isn"t very productive. Identify whether the relationship is symbiotic (and which kind); competition; or predation. Describe the similarities and differences found between exponential and logistic growth.
