Lab 2
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School
Seattle Central College *
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Course
100
Subject
Geography
Date
Feb 20, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
4
Uploaded by kaylacowick1
Module 2 Lab
Instructions
Follow instructions on the Module 2 Lab page on Canvas.
Questions
Part 1. Ecosystems
Reference both the picture and phosphorus cycle diagram on the Module 2 Lab page for questions 1 – 9. Let’s imagine that the picture and diagram are of the same location.
1. List all of the places where water stored in the ecosystem depicted in the Phosphorus Cycle figure. (5 pts)
Answer: The water is stored in the lake, soil, ground, sand and sewage in the image and the phosphorus cycle eco system.
2. List the ways in which water cycles from one reservoir to another in the ecosystem depicted in the Phosphorus Cycle figure. (5 pts)
Answer: In the phosphorus cycle ecosystem, the water moves from one reservoir to another in ways such as run off, erosion, via the plate tectonics and other ways such as precipitation and evaporation.
3. List five biotic reservoirs for phosphorus in the ecosystem shown in the picture/diagram. (5 pts)
Answer: Five examples of biotic reservoirs for phosphorus in the ecosystem are plants, animals, bacteria, sea birds, and marine species.
4. List five abiotic reservoirs for phosphorus in the ecosystem shown. (5 pts)
Answer: Five examples of abiotic reservoirs for phosphorus in the ecosystem are rocks, soil, water, fertilizer, shallow ocean sediments and deep ocean sediments,
5. List three natural, biotic
processes by which phosphorus is cycling in the phosphorus cycle diagram. Natural, meaning processes not caused by humans, and biotic, referring to processes caused by living things. If this were the carbon cycle, photosynthesis would be a biotic process that cycles carbon. (5 pts)
Answer: When phosphorus is decomposed by bacteria and other microorganisms it becomes suitable for consumption by plant-based organisms which then absorb it. When animals eat plants phosphorus enters their bodies and when they excrete waste it causes microbes which decompose animal waste to obtain the phosphorus.
6. List three natural, abiotic
processes by which phosphorus is cycling in the phosphorus cycle diagram. If this were the carbon cycle, gas exchange between the atmosphere and the ocean would be an abiotic process that cycles carbon. (5 pts)
Answer: Phosphorus from rocks moves into soil and water, phosphorus is released into soil and water by erosion, and phosphorus-containing rocks and sediments are moved by plate tectonics.
7. List one anthropogenic process by which phosphorus is cycling in the phosphorus cycle diagram. Anthropogenic means caused by humans. If this were the carbon cycle, burning fossil fuels, moving carbon from gasoline to the atmosphere would be a anthropogenic process that cycles carbon. (5 pts)
Answer: Phosphorus from mining waste leaking into a lake or ocean, causing high levels of phosphorus in the water. This reduces the overall quality of the water which can kill of marine life.
8. What biome could you imagine this ecosystem be a part of? Reference the “Earth’s Biomes” figure on the What to do Module 2 Lab page. Be specific! There are a variety of possible answers. It’s probably not the tundra or arid desert! What else could it be? Justify your choice by referencing the two factors that determine a biome: temperature and precipitation. (5 pts)
Answer: Looking at the eco system in the module it shows a mixture of green trees and grass. It also shows dried grass which means it receives an equal amount of precipitation and sun which dries out the grass and plants. The image fits inside the biome of the temperature steppe. The ecosystems of the temperature steppe biome experience “cold winters and warm summers”. Along with 10 to 20 inches of annual precipitation.
9. Reference the Global Biodiversity figure on the What to do Module 2 page. For the biome you chose in question 6, describe the level of biodiversity compared to others around the planet. For example, if you thought the image depicted a dry steppe biome, that biome has relatively low biodiversity, DZ 4, much less than the DZ 10 of the subtropical rainforests and even the DZ 5 of the grassland savanna biome. (6 pts)
Answer: The module 2 page's image in my opinion, appears to be from the temperate steppe biome. Low biodiversity can be seen in temperate steppe biomes, which are in diversity zone 3. While tropical rainforest biomes are found in Diversity Zones 7, 8, and 10.
10. Compare the primary productivity of the biome you chose referencing the “Net Primary Productivity” figure. It is high or low? Why? (6 pts)
Answer: Tropical rainforest biomes have a net primary productivity that is high and close to maximum productivity. But temperate steppe biomes have a net primary productivity that is medium.
Part 2. Carbon biogeochemical cycling and soil
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