Energy Flows Through Ecosystems

1. How does light and nutrients affect productivity in the oceans?

* Light penetrates the higher level of the ocean and causing photosynthesis to occur there.



2. What factors affect the ability of an ecosystem to support multiple tropic levels?

* The amount of energy , energy loss between tropic levels, and form, structure, and physiology of organisms at each level affect the ability of an ecosystem to support multiple tropic levels.



3. Describe the process bio accumulation, and describe the DDT example.

* The process of Bioaccumulation is where contaminants build up the food web and threaten higher level organisms. For example, DDT built up in Eagles around the 60's and eventually messed up their reproduction essentially thinning the eggs causing the mothers to crush them without intent.

Energy Flows Through Ecosystems

1. A.) Some examples of primary producers are phytoplankton, plants, algae, and certain bacteria.

B.) They are using solar energy to produce organic plant material through photosynthesis.

2. A.) The second tropic level is made up of herbivores.

B.) They get their energy source from eating plants.

3. Predators make up the third tropic level because they eat second tropic level animals and other small predators.

Animal Habitats of San Diego Bay

1. What are the Natural resources of SD Bay?
* Salt Marsh, tidal flats, bird nesting, foraging sites, eelgrass beds, and nine federal and state listed endangered or threatened species


2. What is an invasive species, and how would they have been introduced in SD Bay?
* Those that evolved elsewhere and whom caused harm to our health, environment, or economy. They came from fishery, boat hulls, or spread through dispersal.


3. What is an endangered species? What is one endangered species of SD Bay? What is being done to protect this species?
* Species close to extinction. They keep a close eye on predators and " attribute the higher productivity to the enhanced habitat quality."

Introduction to San Diego Bay

Source - http://goo.gl/g4rLt

1. San Diego Bay is... Located in San Diego County, CA near the U.S Mexico border. It is the third largest of the protected natural bays in California measuring at 12 mi. Long and 1-3 mi. Wide.

2. What types of activities occur on the bay? The Big Bay Boom on July 4th and the Feb 2011 "Parade of Flight"

3. How and where on the Bay is salt made? The shallow southern end of the bay, where salt is extracted from evaporation ponds

4. Where is the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge complex located? San Diego County and Orange County

5. What is the purpose of the San Diego National Wildlife? To preserve and protect rare birds of Southern California

Ocean Water and Climate Change

1. Which is more dense: Ocean Water or Fresh Water, and why?

* ocean water is more dense because sea water contains salt which is more dense than normal water.

2. How would global warming change water at the poles and the equator?

* it can effect storm formation by decreasing the temperature difference between the poles and the equator

Surface Water & Global Temperatures

1. Thermal Inertia: San Francisco & Norfolk, Virginia are on the same altitude. Why would Norfolk, compared to San Francisco, have warmer summers and cooler winters?

* Because air n San Francisco has moved over the ocean, while air in Norfolk has approached over land.

2. Describe the different ways temperatures are "moderated" on earth. Without moderate temperatures, earth could not support life as we know it.

*Liquid water at the surface
*Distance from ocean
*Water Vapor
*Higher humidities = moderate temperatures

The Thermal Characteristics of Water

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS pg.156-159


1. Are heat and temperature the same or different? Why?
It is similar because heat determines the temperature, yet it is different because heat depends on the size and mass, while temperature change can be in ANY environment.

2. What is the heat capacity of water?
1gm of water requires 1 calorie of heat to raise its temperature by 1 degree celsius. This is referred to as Specific Heat

3. How is the heat capacity of water unique?
It can hold very large amounts of specific heat!

4. How does water's temperature affect its density?
The warmer the water is, the less dense. The colder the water is, the more dense.