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Biogeochemical Cycling in Ecosystems: Instructions: Visit each of the sites listed below and answer the questions listed for the site by browsing the website for information. Note: On Tuesday (Sept. 9) I will give you a mini test on the information you have been asked to find in this assignment. The goal of this is to help you prepare for the midterm and will count as 5 bonus points, depending on how well you do. A. Carbon Cycle: I. http://www.smy.fi/koulut/carbon/ 1. Choose the English flag to access the site in English. Use the menu on the left to browse through the various pages and answer the following questions: 2. In what form(s) is carbon present in the: 3. What is the impact of mankind on the carbon cycle? 4. What is the greenhouse effect? Why do we talk about a greenhouse effect problem, what is the problem? 5. Click on the "Probe" link on the left column, and select the "Earth" link. Work through the interactive exercise and observe how using different levels of fossil fuels affects the sustainability of the resource as well as the effects on the global climate. What is the ideal solution to the problem of relying on fossil fuels?
B. Nitrogen Cycle: II. http://www.geog.ouc.bc.ca/physgeog/contents/9s.html When reviewing the information on this site, do not worry about all the chemical compounds that you see listed. The main goal is for you to understand why nitrogen is important to biological systems and how it moves through the environment. 1. What is nitrogen used for in organisms? 2. How do plants acquire the nitrogen they need? 3. How do animals acquire the nitrogen they need? 4. Where is the majority of nitrogen stored in ecosystems? 5. List the ways in which human activities have altered the nitrogen cycle.
III. http://www.wri.org/wr-98-99/nutrient.htm#fertilizer 1. Compare the amount of nitrogen entering ecosystems from natural sources vs. anthropogenic sources. Which is more and by how much? 2. Of the anthropogenic sources of nitrogen, what % comes from: a) fertilizers 3. What are the harmful environmental effects of having too much nitrogen added to terrestrial ecosystems? 4. What are the harmful environmental effects of having too much nitrogen added to aquatic ecosystems? 5. What are the harmful environmental effects of having too much nitrogen added to the atmosphere?
C. Hydrologic Cycle: IV. http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/hyd/home.rxml 1. What are the forms in which water exists on earth? 2. Click on the various processes of the hydrologic cycle and draw a diagram illustrating these processes in the cycle. 3. You may want to check out some of the other pages related to meteorology by selecting links from the left hand side. There are some cool animations and diagrams.
V. http://www.geog.ouc.bc.ca/physgeog/contents/8b.html 1. Where is the majority of water stored on earth? 2. What is meant by "residence time of water" in the various reservoirs? 3. How often is water renewed in: a) rivers 4. Why is groundwater considered a non-renewable resource?
Global Warming: http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=0008C7B2-E060-1C73-9B81809EC588EF21&pageNumber=1&catID=2 1. List the ways in which scientists propose that global warming can affect human health. 2. What are some of the potentially beneficial side effects of global warming? 3. Read through the entire article and take notes of the main issues presented. You may be asked questions about the information in this article.
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©2003-2004 Dilek Sanver-Wang, MS
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