Give a brief overview of the carbon cycle. Include the source of carbon that enters ecosystems, how it moves through ecosystems, what it is used for, and where it is ultimately deposited. What part of this cycle is believed to contribute to global
warming?
What will be an ideal response?
Plants take up CO2 from the atmosphere and then incorporate the carbon into their tissue. Animals then eat plants and gain carbon. Carbon is used for all the tissues and molecules of living organisms, such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, and as an essential ingredient in DNA. When animals and plants die, their tissues are metabolized by decomposers and much partially degraded biomass (especially from plants) is then deposited into soils. At each stage along the way, some carbon is released back to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. The use of fossil fuels (previously undecomposed organic materials) causes stored CO2 to be released to the atmosphere. This is occurring at very high rates and is contributing to global warming.
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List and define four types of ecological restoration. Why is restoration important?
What will be an ideal response?
Why is iron not abundant in the ocean?
A) It is trapped in the Earth's crust. B) It is held in sediments. C) It is nearly insoluble in oxygenated water. D) It is not very reactive.
The predominant weather in the Pacific Northwest ____
a. ?makes mudflows the most serious concern in eruptions b. ?is likely to carry vog over major metropolitan areas c. ?is not expected to increase the danger of volcanic damage d. ?may interfere with evacuation and put more people at risk e. ?is likely to increase the chance of pyroclastic flows
What is NOT a problem with solar energy?
A) cost B) the ability to collect it varies by latitude and season C) maintenance of systems can be problem D) it is difficult to store for long periods without large banks of cells or batteries E) it is difficult to transport