Lab 2

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Seattle Central College *

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100

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Geography

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Feb 20, 2024

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docx

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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

11. Describe how carbon cycles into, around and out of soil. What is the role of vegetation in that process? (9 pts) Answer: In order for plants to make carbon dioxide. Carbon has to be taken out of the atmosphere and is then absorbed by them during photosynthesis and then stored in the soil which allows microbes to produce carbon dioxide. As a result of the carbon dioxide, it allows the plants to produce carbon dioxide. Plant respiration results in the release of some carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere. Plants are the primary producers in this cycle; hence vegetation plays a part. 12. Describe the role of soil in the carbon cycle. How does it compare to the amount of carbon in other reservoirs, such as the atmosphere and vegetation? (6 pts) Answer: Soil stores carbon in the form of organic matter, which includes decomposed plants, animals, and microorganisms. This organic matter is broken down by soil microbes, a process that can take years to centuries. The carbon stored in soil is more than the carbon in the atmosphere and vegetation combined due to the higher number of organic matter 13. Describe the specific roles of nitrifying bacteria, decomposers and denitrifying bacteria in the plant/soil ecosystem. How are they similar? How are they different? (6 pts) Answer: Plants are unable to absorb nitrogen in its natural form, which allows microbes to pull nitrogen from the air and transfer it to the soil where plants can use it. Nitrogen is removed from the soil by denitrifying bacteria and returned to the atmosphere. Microbes that break down organic matter (decomposers) convert nitrogen from earlier living things into nitrogen that plants can consume. The only difference between each microbe families part in transporting nitrogen is where and how they obtain it. 14. How do microbes change the amount of carbon compounds in the soil and carbon dioxide in the air? (6 pts) Answer: Carbon dioxide is created when microbes break down the organic matter in the soil. This can result in a greater amount of carbon dioxide being stored in the soil and lesser amount of carbon being released into the atmosphere. 15. How would the following strategies increase soil carbon and protect crops against drought? (20 pts) i) Using polyculture instead of monoculture Answer: A monoculture is when a single crop is grown on a single plot of land; a polyculture is when a variety of crops and plant species are grown on a single plot of land. Plant diversity is an advantage of polyculture, and with plant diversity come different foods, nutrients, and roles. Diversity also draws pollinators, which are essential to both agriculture and our ecosystems. According to the Soil Carbon Cowboys video, there has been a drop in pollinators in the United States, but if we establish a habit for them, they will emerge from hiding and contribute.

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Increasing crop diversity will result in more carbon being stored in the soil, creating healthy soil that can absorb more water, which will reduce droughts. ii) Creating natural fertilizer instead of using artificial fertilizer (N-P-K) Answer: This would result in an increase in soil carbon and protect crops against drought. iii) Rotating cattle grazing instead of grazing in one large field all season Answer: When cattle are allowed to graze in one area, they consume all the grass and plants there, weakening the roots of the plants and preventing any further growth. Cattle rotation helps plants recover from grazing because it gives the roots time to develop and grow deeper. Because strong plants and roots allow for more photosynthesis to take place, which results in more carbon being captured by plants, being put into the soil, and makes soil healthy, this increases soil carbon and protects crops from drought. Droughts are less frequent because healthy soil can absorb more water. iv) Planting a cover crop instead of letting fields lie bare Answer: Cover crops allow for soil to absorb water and hold carbon. This results in plants growing larger and in a much more healthy way.

Lab 2

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