GEOL 102 : Unit One Study Guide
Document Summary
The principle of uniformitarianism is the principle asserting that processes operating in the present world can be used to interpret events of the past. The uniformity of process does not always result in the uniformity of product because it can be interrupted by other forces of nature. Section 1 life and environments on earth (chapters 3 and 4) An ecosystem is an environment, all biological species within that environment, and all physical, chemical and biological processes active in that environment. The essential parts of an ecosystem are light (sun), primary producers (grass), nutrients and decomposers. The non-essential parts of an ecosystem are herbivores (cows), carnivores (humans), parasites and scavengers. Plants using photosynthesis to transform sunlight into energy. Moves nutrients from ocean to biological reservoir (photosynthesis) then nutrients are recycling within biological reservoir (food web). Autotrophs make their own food where heteroptrophs must get food from an external source.
