Ecology refers to the branch of biology that studies the relationship among organisms and their interaction with the physical environment. It aims to let us understand the behavior or mechanisms of organisms as they exist interdependently with each other and the biosphere.

b. ecology

Geosphere consists of the region that make up the Earth’s interior, the rocks, and the soil. These regions include the crust, the mantle, and the core. Therefore, the presence of rocks and soil in photo D is an indication that it represents the geosphere.

d

The word “abiotic” is the complete opposite of biotic. Abiotic means nonliving or lifeless. Examples of abiotic factors include sunlight, soil, water, temperature, and other physical and chemical factors.

c. abiotic

Biosphere is the Earth’s portion that contains the surface, atmosphere, and hydrosphere wherein all of the living organisms on Earth are thriving.

d. biosphere

Ecosystem refers to the organisms’ interaction with each other and their physical environment. On the other hand, the term population is used for the same species living in the same area, whereas a community exists when different types of animal live together in a particular area.

The three methods used to study ecology include the following:

a. Observing/Observation – This is the process of obtaining significant information using the senses. It helps answer questions by simply looking around for evidence.

b. Experimenting/Experimentation – This is the process of testing the hypothesis by setting up a controlled environment in a laboratory.

c. Modeling – This is the process of using models, such as mathematical models, to show how a certain event or phenomenon occurs with the aim to answer questions.

A useful model of global systems must have the following properties:
a. All the global systems are identified.
b. The processes that operate within the global systems are explained.
c. The ways the global systems, ecological events, and processes interact with each other are illustrated.

The water cycle explains how the water continuously moves in the Earth’s surface, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. It is also known as the hydrologic cycle. Since Earth contains large bodies of water, such as oceans, lakes, and streams, the water molecules start to evaporate due to the sun’s heat. Because of this, the vapor rises into the atmosphere and forms clouds. If the clouds accumulate too much water vapor, it gets heavy. As a result, precipitation occurs. The clouds are turned into water droplets that fall on the land. Once the water lands on the Earth’s surface, it gets soaked and becomes groundwater, while some are stored in reservoirs. In turn, this water is used by life-forms in the biosphere for their survival. The remaining water would evaporate into water vapor and the cycle repeats.

The tropical climate zone is the area closest to the equator. It is located at 23.5 degrees North and 23.5 degrees South latitudes and it receives direct sunlight all throughout the year.

c. tropical

The term climate is defined as the average condition of the atmosphere in terms of the patterns of temperature, wind pattern, and precipitation.

b. climate

The greenhouse effect happens when there is too much carbon dioxide that is trapped in the Earth’s atmosphere. This effect causes an increase in temperature.

c. the greenhouse effect

Climate is a long period of weather condition that exists in a particular region. A climate is measured in terms of temperature, wind, humidity, atmospheric pressure, precipitation, and other meteorological factors. On the contrary, the weather is a short-term change in the atmosphere. It changes rapidly in a day to day basis or even minute to minute. In other words, climate is generally associated with the weather condition that lasts for a long period of time, whereas weather lasts only for a short period of time.

The Earth’s spherical shape and its tilting both affect the exposure of sunlight in the Earth’s hemispheres. When the Earth tilts on its axis, the sun’s rays hit a specific angle on the Earth’s surface. The equator is where the sun’s rays are focused. Because of this, the temperature is high in this area. Sunlight is less focused towards the poles because the sunlight hit the surface at an angle that is lesser than the angle of the sun’s rays in the equator.

In general, winds are caused by the uneven distribution of the sun’s heat on the Earth’s surface. When the sun’s heating is distributed unevenly, a warm spot and a cool spot are formed. Eventually, a warm air emerges from the warm spot and cool air is formed in the cool spots. The warm air usually expands and rises, whereas the cool air condenses and sinks. As a result, the movement of the air causes the winds.

Ocean currents, which are the ocean water’s movement in a particular direction, are mainly influenced by factors such as wind patterns, temperature, water density, salinity, shape of the ocean basin, and gravity.

Mountain ranges affect climate by causing rain shadows. When a warm air meets an obstacle like mountain ranges, it rises and becomes cool. Eventually, the air starts to condense and forms clouds. Once the clouds are heavy, the precipitation is released on the windward side of the mountain. On the other hand, the other side of the mountain is called the rain shadow, which lies on the leeward side of the mountain. Only a little rain is carried in this region since most precipitation has already been lost when it crossed the mountains.

Mountain ranges affect climate by causing rain shadows. When a warm air meets an obstacle like mountain ranges, it rises and becomes cool. Eventually, the air starts to condense and form clouds. Once the clouds are heavy, the precipitation is released on the windward side of the mountain. On the other hand, the other side of the mountain is called the rain shadow, which lies on the leeward side of the mountain. Only a little rain is carried in this region since most precipitation has already been lost when it crossed the mountains.

Long-term natural causes of climate change include changes in solar energy, variation in Earth’s orbit, movement of plates, mountain formations, volcanic activities, and meteorite impacts.

A tropical rainforest houses the most diverse and most number of species when compared to all other biomes. The reason for this is due to its characteristics that include a very high amount of precipitation and high average temperatures. Since it is located near the equator, it receives an abundant supply of sunlight all throughout the year. These conditions are advantageous in terms of nurturing life-forms in this biome. Moreover, it serves as the winter homes to many species from temperate zones.

The term taiga also refers to boreal forest, which is located at the end of the tundra biome. It is a biome that is characterized by an abundance of coniferous trees and long, cold winters.

a. boreal forest

Scientists use the depth of the open ocean to divide it into two zones, which include the photic zone and the aphotic zone. Depth can tell how far the light can reach the parts of the ocean. The photic zone is the layer of the ocean that receives light from the sun to permit photosynthesis. On the contrary, the aphotic zone is the deepest portion of the open ocean where there is an absence of light. Instead of photosynthesis, the producers that live in this zone undergo chemosynthesis.

c. depth

The term permafrost refers to the tundra soil that is permanently frozen due to the cold temperature. Therefore, permafrost is found in a tundra biome, which is characterized by short summers, harsh winters, high winds, and low amount of precipitation.

Aquatic ecosystems are very complex because they host a wide variety of aquatic species. Factors that define aquatic ecosystems include the water flow rate, currents, depth, salinity, amount of sunlight exposure, oxygen and nutrient levels, and temperature.

The aphotic zone is the deepest portion of the sea where there is an absence of light. Instead of photosynthesis, the producers that live in this zone undergo chemosynthesis.

A wetland is a land surface that is covered with water all throughout the year. Marshes, bogs, and swamps are examples of a wetland. On the other hand, an estuary is a transition zone between the river and the sea. It is located in a place where the river meets with the sea and it has a brackish water, which is a mixture of saltwater and freshwater.

Since the oceans occupy about 70% or the majority of the Earth’s surface, this is also where most photosynthetic processes occur. Photosynthesis in the ocean is mainly done by marine autotrophs in the photic zone, such as algae, kelps, seaweeds, and phytoplankton, that contain chlorophyll.

Here are some similarities and differences between an aquatic ecosystem and a land/terrestrial ecosystem:

Similarities:
a. Both ecosystems share a wide range of biodiversity and different trophic levels.
b. There is a presence of mutual interdependence of species that belong in these two ecosystems.

Differences:
a. Sunlight is usually available in most terrestrial environments. On the other hand, light doesn’t reach the deepest parts of an aquatic ecosystem.
b. Water is readily available in an aquatic ecosystem, while water supply in a terrestrial ecosystem depends on the amount of rainfall and groundwater.
c. An aquatic ecosystem is less prone to fluctuations in temperature and other variables. Unlike an aquatic ecosystem, a terrestrial ecosystem experiences more changes in the temperature and other factors.

The chemical found in the smoke can stimulate the seed germination at a faster rate. To test this hypothesis, we can conduct an experiment using the following materials and methods:

Materials:
a. 12 lettuce seeds
b. 2 identical seedbeds
c. shovel
d. water
e. fume hood
f. aluminum pan
g. 2 plastic bags
h. damp soil

Method:
a. There should be 6 burned seeds and 6 unburned seeds to be used in this experiment. In this case, put 6 lettuce seeds in an aluminum pan and heat it under the fume hood at 140 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes.
b. Stratify all the seeds at 33 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 weeks to break seed dormancy. To stratify the seeds, put damp soil and all the unburned seeds in a plastic bag. Label it with Seeds A. On the other hand, put the burned seeds and the damp soil in a separate plastic bag. Label it with Seeds B. Store the bags in a place with a cold temperature of about 33 degrees Fahrenheit.
c. Plant the 6 unburned seeds in a seedbed. Label it with Seedbed A.
d. Plant the 6 burned seeds in another bed. Label it with Seedbed B.
e. Expose the seeds to 15 hours of sunlight every day.
f. Using equal amounts of water, the seeds must be watered twice a day until the soil is moist.
g. Check the germination or seed growth each day for 14 days.
h. Determine which set of plants are able to germinate at a faster rate.

The chemical found in the smoke can stimulate the seed germination at a faster rate. To test this hypothesis, we can conduct an experiment using the following materials and methods: (Click to see explanation)

One example of a model used by biologists to help us understand a certain event is the ecological population model, which gives us how a population size grows and how the age distribution changes within a particular population. This is a useful predictive tool that can give us an understanding of the interactions and patterns of the different variables that affect our population. In this way, planning and evaluating can be done effectively when it comes to various projects that would impact the population.

One important characteristic of life-forms is their ability to adapt to their surroundings or environment. The way plants and animals behave and look makes them suited to their habitats.

For example, plants and animals living in a tundra biome are adapted to survive in a cold environment. Animals go through hibernation during the winters or they are covered with thick fur which can help them withstand the cold weather. Plants in this biome have a stunted growth since the soil is usually frozen most of the time.

On the other hand, plants and animals living in the desert are adapted to an extremely hot and dry environment. Plants in this environment, such as cacti, have spines and thick cuticle which prevent water loss.

Overall, both biotic and abiotic factors are equally important in our ecosystem. Both factors are important when it comes to the complex processes that continuously shape our biosphere. They are both related in terms of the viability of our planet. However, based on the examples given above, abiotic factors become more important because they directly affect how organisms would survive in a particular region.

If the sun’s energy is absorbed, it is converted into heat. This explains why the temperature inside the greenhouse is warm. However, when it was painted with a white color, the temperature decreased; hence, the greenhouse became cooler. The reason for this is because the white color reflects the sun’s energy, instead of absorbing it.

In general, a tundra biome has a cold temperature which causes its soil to freeze. This layer of soil is called the permafrost. During summer, the permafrost starts to melt due to the increase in temperature. This event causes the ground to be wet even the amount of precipitation in this biome is very little.

A temperate climate usually has a warm to hot summers and cold winters. The coyotes living in the temperate grassland, and temperate woodland and shrubland have special adaptations that enable them to withstand hot summers and cold winters. They have thick fur which can protect them from the cold temperature. Their fur color is also used as a camouflage which keeps them blended in their surroundings. In addition, coyotes are omnivores in which they eat fruit and vegetables instead of meat during winters. This is an advantage because during cold winters most animals have already migrated to warmer areas.

A greenhouse, which is a glass structure, usually maintains a particular temperature to cultivate the plants. The plants are placed in an enclosed area that is usually made of glass so the heat generated by the sun stays inside it. Because the heat is trapped inside, the temperature can stay warm during colder seasons. The greenhouse effect can be associated with this principle. This event happens when too much carbon dioxide is trapped in the Earth’s atmosphere. It continues to circulate the atmosphere and causes an increase in temperature.

The aphotic zone is the deepest portion of the sea where there is a presence of cold temperature and absence of light. For organisms to be able to withstand these conditions, they have special adaptations or characteristics that would help them survive. Most organisms living in this zone emit light in the form of chemical reaction called bioluminescence. Anglerfishes use this special adaptation to lure their preys. They have a special organ in their head, which resembles a fishing rod. This organ lights up to attract preys. In addition, animals that live in the deep ocean have developed their bodies to have gas-filled spaces that compress under high pressure to enable them to withstand their environment.

In this scenario, the negative effects of the construction of coastal resort outweigh the positive effects. Therefore, I do not support the proposal. Filling in a salt marsh, which is a coastal wetland, would destroy the balance in the ecosystem and cause harm to life-forms because this type of aquatic ecosystem plays a vital part in the ecosystem and the entire biosphere. If this wetland is removed from the ecosystem, we would no longer have a protection against the violent ocean waves and floods. In addition, the water would become polluted since the wetland is no longer there to filter the pollutants. More importantly, many plant and animal species would lose their habitats.

A. Reflection/reabsorption of light – This icon is located in the processes that involve the atmosphere. B. Greenhouse effect – This event takes place within the Earth’s atmosphere. C. Wind, Clouds, Precipitation, Temperature – These icons are involved in the weather/extreme events that are associated with climate change. The atmosphere and the hydrosphere are the Earth systems that are affected by climate change. D. Solar output, Earth’s tilt and orbit, meteorite impact, distribution of continents and oceans, mountain building, volcanism – These icons are placed under the non-human causes of global change.

A. Reflection/reabsorption of light – This icon is located in the processes that involve the atmosphere.

B. Greenhouse effect – This event takes place within the Earth’s atmosphere.

C. Wind, Clouds, Precipitation, Temperature – These icons are involved in the weather/extreme events that are associated with climate change. The atmosphere and the hydrosphere are the Earth systems that are affected by climate change.

D. Solar output, Earth’s tilt and orbit, meteorite impact, distribution of continents and oceans, mountain building, volcanism – These icons are placed under the non-human causes of global change.

The icon that represents the wind is related to clouds, precipitation, and temperature. These factors fall under the atmosphere and hydrosphere systems, which both trigger the mechanisms and processes that influence the weather patterns and shape the climate conditions on Earth. These are the indicators the reflect climate change.

Deciduous trees intentionally shed their leaves in a process called abscission. Shedding the leaves and other parts of the tree can help them retain the water and energy that they need in order to survive unfavorable weather conditions. During summer, the soil loses a lot of moisture as the water gets absorbed by the roots and the leaves lose a lot of water because of transpiration. In order to avoid losing too much water, the tree will go through the process of abscission to shed its leaves.

The diagram below shows the levels of organization in an ecosystem starting from specific to general. This diagram focuses on how individuals become members of species, how species become a part of a population, how population makes up a community, and so on. Overall, this allows us to have an overview of the components of the entire biosphere.


When this diagram is compared to Earth Systems Model in Figure 3-4, they are different in such a way that this diagram shows a linear progression, whereas the Earth systems model uses a cycle to show how systems and processes interact with each other.

The most reasonable explanation for the loss of glacier mass worldwide in the 1960s is caused by the changes in the global temperature. The Earth’s temperature has been increasingly warmer over the years. This event is due to the rapid growth in the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which is mainly caused by human activities such as burning of fossil fuels and using of aerosols.

In general, a tundra biome is known to have the coldest temperature among all the biomes in the entire biosphere.
Because of its extremely cold climate, there is a low biodiversity in this region. Plant and animal species that are able to survive harsh winters can adapt to this kind of environment. Moreover, a frozen soil layer called permafrost exists in this region. This is the reason why the active soil layer in the tundra biome is very thin. It could not support tall trees to grow in this condition. Instead, plants that thrive in this environment have shallow root systems. These plants can carry out photosynthesis under low temperature and low light intensity. Examples of these plants are lichens, mosses, liverworts, grasses, shrubs, and other low growing plants. On the other hand, tundra animals, such as polar bears, wolves, arctic foxes, snowy owls, and reindeers, usually breed during the short summers. During winters, some animals migrate. while the others hibernate during winters. Overall, all the biotic factors, such as plant and animals species, are specifically adapted to the abiotic factors, which include the limited amount of sunlight and cold temperature, that are present in this region.

Winds occur when there are differences in the air pressure that is caused by the sun’s unequal heating of the atmosphere. When the surface becomes heated, it expands and becomes less dense. As a result, the air pressure decreases. On the other hand, if the surface is less-heated, it becomes cool and denser; hence, the air pressure increases. Because of this event, the warm air rises.

On the other hand, the ocean’s current is described as the movement of water from one place to another. Currents are mainly driven by the winds. In turn, the current affects the climate of the land that is near the ocean. In general, warm currents from the tropical zone are blown toward the poles, whereas the cold currents from the poles are brought into the equator. For an instance, when the wind blows across warm water currents on a cold region, it brings a mild, rainy weather in the land near the coast. On the other hand, if the wind blows a cold water current into a warm region, it brings a cool, dry weather into the coast. Therefore, the wind and the current are important factors that drive the climate of a region. Other driving factors include the topography, altitude, vegetation, and the land’s nearness to the water.