Chosen ecosystems: Tropical rainforest
Describe where this type of ecosystem might be located. Name 1 specific example.
Rainforests are found in the tropics; the region between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Tropic of Cancer, just below and above the equator. This is because at this region, the climate is warm and relatively stable since the sun is very strong and shines for the same duration throughout the year. The Amazon Rainforest in Brazil is a good example of a tropical rainforest (Corlett & Primack, 2011).
Describe the structure of the ecosystem.
The tropical rainforest is structurally complex. The varied vegetation in it illustrates the intense competition within the ecosystem for light. The arrangement of vegetation in the tropical …show more content…
Beside this, the tropical rainforest is essential since it prevents floods, Soil Loss and Siltation, regulates the overall climate, and is a source of medicine and food (Bush et al., 2011).
In your own words, explain or define biogeochemical cycle.
Biogeochemical cycle refers to a pathway through which the chemical substances are transported and transformed in both the biotic and the abiotic earth compartments.
Describe the steps in the carbon cycle as an example of one biogeochemical cycle.
Step #1: Carbon moves from the atmosphere to plants through the process known as photosynthesis.
Step #2: Carbon moves from plants to animals through food chains and food webs.
Step #3: Carbon moves from living things to soil, this occurs when the dead parts of plants and animals decay.
Step #4: Carbon moves from living things to the atmosphere through the process of respiration.
Step #5: Carbon moves from fossil fuels to the atmosphere wen these fossil fuels are …show more content…
It plays a significant role as it shapes the structure and character of the ecosystem. Recovery is the process through which the open areas are colonized by organisms after disturbance.
Describe 1 natural and 1 human-caused disturbance to the ecosystem that you have chosen. Describe the damage to the ecosystem for each example, including how the abiotic and biotic characteristics of the ecosystem changed.
Human-caused disturbance
Introduction of invasive species to forest by human activities has greatly impacted the tropical rainforests. Essentially, tropical forests seem to have little resistance to such invasions, and the newly-introduced species frequently threaten native species, as they have no local enemies to control their populations.
Natural-caused disturbance
Wind is the major cause of disturbance in a tropical rainforest. Since the tallest trees tend to have a strong root system, they are only affected by strong winds which break their branches. The smaller trees are blown over and killed since they do not have a strong root system (Corlett & Primack,
Describe where this type of ecosystem might be located. Name 1 specific example.
Rainforests are found in the tropics; the region between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Tropic of Cancer, just below and above the equator. This is because at this region, the climate is warm and relatively stable since the sun is very strong and shines for the same duration throughout the year. The Amazon Rainforest in Brazil is a good example of a tropical rainforest (Corlett & Primack, 2011).
Describe the structure of the ecosystem.
The tropical rainforest is structurally complex. The varied vegetation in it illustrates the intense competition within the ecosystem for light. The arrangement of vegetation in the tropical …show more content…
Beside this, the tropical rainforest is essential since it prevents floods, Soil Loss and Siltation, regulates the overall climate, and is a source of medicine and food (Bush et al., 2011).
In your own words, explain or define biogeochemical cycle.
Biogeochemical cycle refers to a pathway through which the chemical substances are transported and transformed in both the biotic and the abiotic earth compartments.
Describe the steps in the carbon cycle as an example of one biogeochemical cycle.
Step #1: Carbon moves from the atmosphere to plants through the process known as photosynthesis.
Step #2: Carbon moves from plants to animals through food chains and food webs.
Step #3: Carbon moves from living things to soil, this occurs when the dead parts of plants and animals decay.
Step #4: Carbon moves from living things to the atmosphere through the process of respiration.
Step #5: Carbon moves from fossil fuels to the atmosphere wen these fossil fuels are …show more content…
It plays a significant role as it shapes the structure and character of the ecosystem. Recovery is the process through which the open areas are colonized by organisms after disturbance.
Describe 1 natural and 1 human-caused disturbance to the ecosystem that you have chosen. Describe the damage to the ecosystem for each example, including how the abiotic and biotic characteristics of the ecosystem changed.
Human-caused disturbance
Introduction of invasive species to forest by human activities has greatly impacted the tropical rainforests. Essentially, tropical forests seem to have little resistance to such invasions, and the newly-introduced species frequently threaten native species, as they have no local enemies to control their populations.
Natural-caused disturbance
Wind is the major cause of disturbance in a tropical rainforest. Since the tallest trees tend to have a strong root system, they are only affected by strong winds which break their branches. The smaller trees are blown over and killed since they do not have a strong root system (Corlett & Primack,