Lab 6 Biomass
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University of Maryland, College Park *
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211
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Geography
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Feb 20, 2024
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Lab 6: Biomass
Created for UMD GEOG 211 by Dr. Amanda Hoffman-Hall and Baobao Liu
Source: Elemental Geosystems, NASA Worldview
In this lab, we will review the major concepts of biomass, elemental cycles, Earth's biomes together! Using NASA's Worldview tool, we are also able to investigate a wildfire together.
What is Biomass?
1)
According to Houghton (2008)
,
biomass refers to the mass of living organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms, or, from a biochemical perspective, cellulose, lignin, sugars, fats, and proteins. Biomass includes both the above- and below-ground tissues of plants, for example, leaves, twigs, branches, boles, as well as roots of trees and rhizomes of grasses. Biomass is often reported as a mass per unit area (g m
−2
or Mg ha
−1
) and usually as dry weight (water removed by drying). Unless otherwise specified, biomass usually includes only living material. For example, neither deadwood nor the organic matter of soils is considered biomass, although soils do contain biomass in the form of bacteria, fungi, and meiofauna.
1A)
Biomass is defined as the mass of living organisms. Given this definition,
which of the following is NOT an example of biomass? (5 pts)
1B)
According to Houghton, approximately how much biomass on Earth is stored within forests? (5 pts)
1C)
According to Houghton, why is a good understanding of biomass important? (5 pts)
Elemental Cycles
In understanding the fundamental components of Earth's biomass and the cycling of energy and nutrients within ecosystems, we can gain insights into the interconnectedness of life on our planet.
2A)
Which of the following elements are considered the most abundant in living matter and collectively make up more than 99% of Earth's biomass? Select all that apply. (5 pts)
2B)
Which of the following statements is true regarding energy and nutrient cycles in ecosystems? (5 pts)
Biogeographic realms are the largest geographical biota areas on Earth, separated by significant barriers to species migration and dispersal. Answer the following questions to test your knowledge of this topic!
3A)
True or False: The primary reason why many land-dependent animals and plants do not cross Wallace's Line is because of a deep-water oceanic
barrier that has never allowed for a land bridge to form between the continental shelves of Asia and Australia during periods of lowered sea levels. You can refer to your textbook pp. 516-517. (5 pts) 3B)
According to p. 517, Figure 17.2b in our textbook, which of the following is NOT one of the eight biogeographic realms in use today? (5 pts)
Earth’s Biomes
Earth's terrestrial biomes are vast and varied, each presenting a unique ecosystem defined by its specific climate and the flora and fauna it supports. As we explore these biomes, we'll discover their distinct characteristics and learn how they play a crucial role in our planet's biodiversity and climate regulation.
4A)
Typically, which biome has the largest biomass? (6 pts)
4B)
Which biome has the least biomass? (6 pts)
4C)
Match the features of the correct biome in question 4A to their impacts on its large biomass. (Hint: start from your most confident matches!) (8 pts)
California is known for its diverse landscapes and ecosystems, which include the unique chaparral biome. Wildfires, in particular, have significant effects on the environment, impacting local ecosystems and the overall biomass. In this section, we'll explore these relationships through satellite imagery to uncover the intricacies
of these interactions.
5A)
Why are wildfires a common occurrence in California? (5 pts)
5B)
Fill in the blank: The major biome in California, characterized by dense, evergreen shrubs and a climate with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers, is known as the _____________. (5 pts)
In November 2018, a significant event impacted California's chaparral biome – the Camp Fire. With the help of Worldview's interactive satellite imagery tool, we are going to study this event in detail, observing the effects of this fire on the biome, and uncovering the intricate relationship between wildfires, biomass, and biomes.
Step 1:
Go to the provided Worldview website
Step 2: Explore the various pages and refer to the instructions located at the bottom
right corner of the screen to guide you through the process. These instructions will help you navigate and utilize the interactive features of the website effectively.
6A)
Fill in the blank: The Camp Fire started ____ miles north of Sacramento, California. (7 pts)
6B)
What color does burned vegetation in Terra/MODIS Bands 7-2-1 layer image show as? (7 pts)
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6C)
What color does unburned vegetation in Terra/MODIS Bands 7-2-1 layer
image show? (7 pts)
6D)
Using the swipe mode, we can see a new burn scar near which of the following? Open the Place Labels layers to help you identify. (7 pts)
6E)
Wildfires have a significant impact on biomass in affected areas. Which of the following best describes the relationship between wildfire and biomass? (7 pts)
You have now completed Lab 6. Make sure you submit all your answers before 11:59 pm on the due date!