READING GUIDE CHAPTERS 3-4 Name Class Date Levels of Organization 1. Come up with a thinking map or other visual representation that shows the relationships between the terms BIOSPHERE, ECOSYSTEM, COMMUNITY, POPULATION, and INDIVIDUAL. Make sure to include definitions within your map. 2. Which level of organization contains all of the organisms of one species that live in a certain area? 3. What is the highest level of organization studied by ecologists? 4. How is a niche different from a habitat? 5. Three species of birds live in the same tree, use the descriptions below to answer the questions on the next page: Bay-Breasted Warbler: feeds in the middle part of a spruce tree Cape May Warbler: feeds at the tips of branches near the top of a spruce tree Yellow-Rumped Warbler: feeds in the lower part of a spruce tree and at the bases of the middle branches
1. Why can all three species of warbler live in the same spruce tree? 2. Do all three species of warbler share the same niche Energy Flow in Food Chains A food chain is a series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten. Producers make their own food and are the first step in a food chain. Consumers rely on other organisms for energy and food. Draw arrows between the organisms to show how energy moves through this food chain. One arrow has been drawn as an example. The squid eats the small fish. The zooplankton eat the algae. The shark eats the squid. The small fish eat the zooplankton.
Use the food chain to answer the questions. 1. List the producer(s). 2. List the consumer(s). Energy Pyramids 1. The sun provides energy to plants via it s solar rays. Imagine that each plant around Carmel Valley has received 100,000 Joules of energy. If a rabbit comes along and eats one of these plants, how many Joules of energy will be passed along to the rabbit? 2. If the rabbit from #1 is eaten by a coyote, how much energy is passed along to the coyote? Cycles of Matter 1. Draw three separate pictures for the Water Cycle, the Carbon Cycle, and the Nitrogen Cycle (draw on back or on a separate piece of paper). 2. Which process releases carbon into the atmosphere? photosynthesis respiration 3. Which process removes carbon from the land? Human activity deposition 4. By which process do certain bacteria convert nitrogen gas into ammonia (NH3)? 5. What is the process by which bacteria convert nitrates into nitrogen gas for release back into the atmosphere?
Biotic and Abiotic Factors in an Ecosystem In an ecosystem, biotic factors are biological influences on organisms. Abiotic factors are nonliving (or physical) influences on organisms. Circle each abiotic factor. Draw an X over each biotic factor. Use the illustration to answer the questions. 1. Are factors related to climate, such as rainfall and temperature, biotic, or abiotic factors? 2. Which factors make up an organism s niche? Circle the best answer. abiotic factors only both biotic and abiotic factors
Symbiosis Symbiosis is a close relationship between two species. A symbiotic relationship can help both species, help one species while harming the other, or help one species while the other is unaffected. 1. Describe the three types of symbiotic relationships and give an example of each that is NOT FOUND IN THE TEXTBOOK. (Remember a symbiotic relationship is not necessarily beneficial for one or both involved). 2. Clownfish are small marine fish that are often found swimming around the poisonous stinging tentacles of the sea anemone. What sort of symbiotic relationship do these animals have? Why do you think the fish might do this?
Ecological Succession The first panel below shows an area covered with rock and ash from a volcanic eruption. When organisms begin to colonize an area such as this, they appear in a predictable order. This is called ecological succession. The first species to colonize this area are called pioneer species. The panels following the first panel show different stages of succession. Number these panels in the order that they occur. Use the illustrations on the previous page to answer the questions. Circle the correct answer. 1. Look at the panels you have numbered 2 4. At what stage would you expect to see large mammals moving back to the area? panel 2 panel 4 2. What type of succession is shown in the illustrations above? primary succession secondary succession 3. Suppose a fire disturbed the community shown in the panel you numbered 4. What type of succession will likely follow this fire? primary succession secondary succession
Earthʼs Biomes A biome is a group of ecosystems that have certain climate, soil conditions, and particular plants and animals. Use the words below to identify each biome in the table. The first one has been done for you. Use the table to answer the question. 1. Which biome is characterized by a layer of permanently frozen subsoil?
Biome Climate Comparison The graphs below show temperature and precipitation for Belem, Brazil, and Barrow, Alaska. The line graphs show the average temperature for each month. The bar graphs show the average precipitation in each month. Use the graphs to answer the questions. 1. What is the driest month in Belem, Brazil? 2. Is Belem in a warm climate or a cool one? 3. Which city is cooler in September? 4. In which biome is Barrow most likely located? Circle the best answer. temperate forest tundra tropical rain forest