Chapter 1.

Introduction to Ecosystem Science

Reporters: Liza S. Estandian
Mark Jemuell P. Reonal
Course/Year: BSCE-2E

(Natural history) 1. An approach in which observation and documentation is the main

key to gain answers.

(Theory and conceptual models) 2. It is a very useful way to organize facts and
ideas, and also provide quick answers at low cost.

(Long term studies) 3. They are good in providing insight into slow processes.

(Cross- ecosystem comparison) 4. It compares 2 or more ecosystems with similar

characteristics.

(Experiments) 5. Its goal is to measure an ecosystem's response to a change in a

single variable while holding others as constant as possible.
(Tracers) 6. They tell us the movement of materials through ecosystems.

(Radioisotope/s) 7. An isotope that has an unbalance proton and neutron ratio in

which releases radiation thus it becomes harmful to living organisms.

(Stable isotope/s) 8. An isotope that has a balance proton and neutron ratio and are
available for many elements of ecological interest.

(Radioisotope/s, Large scale experiments) 9-10) The 2 most important advances in

ecosystem science.

(Ecosystem Science) 11. The study of inter-relationships of living organisms, physical

features, bio-chemical processes, natural phenomena, and human activities in
ecological communities.

(Ecosystem) 12. The interacting system made up of all the living and non-living objects
in a specified volume of space.

(Biome) 13. A set of ecosystems sharing similar characteristics with their abiotic
factors adapted to their environments.

(Mass Balance) 14. A convenient quantitative tool for measuring the integrated activity
of entire, complicated systems without having to measure the properties and
interactions of each of its parts.
(Biosphere )15. The sum of all the ecosystems established on planet Earth.

(Aquatic Ecosystem )16. An ecosystem which is located in a body of water.

(Biotic Components) 17. Components in ecosystems that include organisms such as

plants, animals, and microorganisms.

(Terrestrial Ecosystem) 18. Ecosystems that exist on landforms.

(Mutualism) 19. Interaction in the ecosystem in which both organisms benefit from
their interactions.

(Blackbox Approach) 20. An approach in measuring the total activity of an ecosystem

without having to measure all the parts and exchanges within the ecosystem.

PRIMARY PRODUCTION (GROUP 2, BSCE-2E)

Biomass 1. The total mass of organisms in a given area or volume.
Gross primary production 2. is the amount of light energy that is converted to
chemical energy.
Net primary production 3.is Equal to GPP minus the energy used by the primary
producers for respiration
(g C m−2 yr−1) or (Kcal m-2 yr-1)4. Unit used in calculating production
(g C m−2)(g C m−2 yr−1)5. Unit used in calculating productivity
Temperature 6. Factor that affects the water and its ability to hold oxygen decreases
based on heat.
Photosynthetic activity 7. Factor that involves sunlight in producing more oxygen
Decomposition activity 8. Factor that involves organic material decays, microbial
process to consume oxygen
Salinity 9. Factor that involves the amount of salt in a body of water as its ability to hold
oxygen decreases
Terrestrial production 10. On the land, almost all primary production is now performed
by vascular plants, with a small fraction coming from algae and non-vascular plants
such as mosses and liverworts.
Oceanic 11. This is a component where almost all photosynthesis is performed by
algae, with a small fraction contributed by vascular plants and other groups.
Photic zone (or euphotic zone)12. This is a relatively thin layer (10–100 m) near the
ocean's surface where there is sufficient light for photosynthesis to occur, or its sunlit
zone.
Iron 13. This is used as a cofactor in enzymes involved in processes such as nitrate
reduction and nitrogen fixation. A major source of iron to the oceans is dust from the
Earth's deserts, picked up and delivered by the wind as aeolian dust.
Producers 14. These are autotrophs, or "self-feeding" organisms, that make their own
organic molecules from carbon dioxide.
Primary Production 15. This is the process by which organisms make their own food
from inorganic source
Respiration 16. Ultimately, most primary production is converted back to CO2 via
________.
Carbon Dioxide 18. This is 76% of the greenhouse gases on Earth.
Light 19. This component of primary production is given by the sun.
Consumption by herbivores or Conversion to detritus 20. Give one immediate fate
of primary production.

CHAPTER 3: SECONDARY PRODUCTION AND CONSUMER

ENERGETICS
1. Two key roles played by consumers. DESTROYS AND REGENERATES
2. This is often called production (P). This includes the reproduction of the
consumer. GROWTH
3. It is energy that is lost from the ecosystem. RESPIRATION
4. Absorbed food is used to provide energy or new production.
ASSIMILATION
5. Removal of undigested food and gives input to the detritus pool.
EGESTION
6. The formation of living mass of a heterotrophic population over a period
of time. SECONDARY PRODUCTION
7. These are the organisms responsible for secondary production like
bacteria, fungi and animals. HETEROTROPHS
 8. Secondary production is often confused as __________. BIOMASS
ACCUMULATION
9. A method to estimate the secondary production of fungi. ERGESTEROL
SYNTHESIS
10. A method that can be used by any organisms in estimating the
secondary productivity. EMPIRICAL MODEL
11-13. 3 levels of the secondary production prediction. INDIVIDUAL
POPULATION, GUILD CONSUMERS, ENTIRE COMMUNITY
14-15. State 2 factors that affect the production of an individual species of
consumers. BIOMASS/ BODY SIZE/ TEMPERATURE
16-17. It is easier to predict the secondary production of an ___________
than a ___________. ENTIRE COMMUNITY, SINGLE POPULATION
18. Primary production tend to be more nutrient rich in what ecosystem?
AQUATIC
19. The higher nutrient content of primary producers should also lead to
higher ________ of consumers? ASSIMILATION
20. Predicting secondary production from resource supply. PREDICTING
SECONDARY PRODUCTION OF GUILDS

ORGANIC MATTER DECOMPOSITION

1. Process by which organic substances are broken down into simpler organic matter.
DECOMPOSITION
2. It is part of the nutrient cycle and is essential for recycling the finite matter that occupies
physical space in the biosphere. DECOMPOSITION
3. The science which studies decomposition. TAPHONOMY
4.Taphonomy comes from the Greek word taphos which means? TOMB
5.Physical breakup or fragmentation of the plant material into smaller bits. PLANT
DECOMPOSITION
6-7. In the decomposition of large dead plants, what life-forms play a major breakdown role in
the decomposition process? INSECTS & FUNGI
8-9. Two odor that was released through the decomposition process. CADAVERINE &
PUTRESCINE
10. The breaking down of tissues by the body’s own internal chemicals and enzymes.
AUTOLYSIS
11. The breakdown of tissues by bacteria. PUTREFACTION
12-17. Give 6 factors affecting decomposition of bodies. TEMPERATURE, AVAILABILILTY OF
OXYGEN, CAUSE OF DEATH, BURIAL, HUMIDITY & ACCESS BY SCAVENGERS
18-22. Enumerate the five stages of death. PALLOR MORTIS, ALGOR MORTIS, RIGOR MORTIS,
LIVOR MORTIS & PUTREFACTION
23. The decomposition rate is__ under very wet or very dry conditions. LOW
24. The decomposition rate is __ in damp, moist conditions with adequate levels of oxygen.
HIGH
25. Autolysis and Putrefaction happens in ____ decomposition. ANIMAL
26-30. Give the five stages of decomposition. FRESH, BLOAT, ACTIVE DECAY, ADVANCE DECAY
& DRY/REMAINS
31-35 Give the five signs of death. PALLOR MORTIS, ALGOR MORTIS, RIGOR MORTIS, LIVOR
MORTIS & PUTREFACTION
36-38. Give the different types of decomposers. ANIMALS, FUNGI, BACTERIA
39. Fungi reproduce via? SPORES
40. What is the domain of bacteria? BACTERIA
41-42. What are the 2 types of animal decomposers? VERTEBRATE & INVERTEBRATE
43-46. Give 4 examples of detritivores. EARTHWORM, SNAIL, SLUG, BEETLE, FLIES, CRAB,
LOBSTERS
47-50. Give 4 examples of scavengers. HYENA, VULTURE, BEAR, LEOPARD, MUDFISH
 ELEMENT CYCLING
1. It is the length of time an element spends in a system. RESIDENCE TIME
2. It is a type of bonding of ions and molecules to metal ions. CHELATES
3. It is a chemical substance undergoes a chemical reaction, either by itself or with other
materials, with an overall release of energy. REACTIVITY
4. It is the transport and transformation of chemicals within the ecosystem. ELEMENT
CYCLING
5. A number that is assigned to an element in a chemical combination. OXIDATION STATE
6. It is the group where the most stable elements are located. GROUP 18
7. A chemical property that describes the tendency of an atom to attract a shared pair of
electrons towards itself. ELECTRONEGATIVITY
8. The time required for the activity to decrease to half its value by that process. HALF LIFE
9. Accepting or gaining of electrons. REDUCTION
10. The degree to which a substance (a toxin or poison) can harm humans or animals. TOXICITY
11. The release or loss of electron. OXIDATION
12. Produces more protons than electrons. CATION
13. What is the family name for the group 2? ALKALINE EARTH METALS
14. Shapes the ecosystem. BIOTIC FACTORS
15. Reactions of elements are controlled largely by their chemical properties that can be
generalized in part from an element’s position within the __________. PERIODIC TABLE
16. It allows the biotic factors to exist. ABIOTIC FACTOR
17. The concentration of toxins in an organism as a result of its ingesting other plants or animals
in which the toxins are more widely disbursed. BIOMAGNIFICATION
18. It is the family name of group 17. HALOGENS
19. The building block of life. CARBON
20. It is the group with 1 valence electron. GROUP 1
21. It links the living and non living parts of ecosystem. ELEMENT CYCLE
22. When an element is temporarily held in place somewhere within an ecosystem. STICK
23. Occurs when an organism absorbs a substance at a rate faster than that at which the
substance is lost by catabolism and excretion. BIOACCUMULATION
24. What is the family name for Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Fr? ALKALI METALS
25. It is considered as an electron acceptor during the redox process. OXYGEN
26. Produces more electrons than protons. ANION
27. It is an important subset of elemental cycles. NUTRIENT CYCLE
28. The transfer of material within and between ecosystems. MOVE
29. What is the group of elements with 7 valence electrons? GROUP 17
30. It is required by all life. ELEMENTS
 31. It is the family name for group 18. NOBLE GASES
32. Transformations in materials from one chemical state or form to another. CHANGE
33. It is the movement and transformation of biotic and abiotic forms of elements particularly
the elements that are essential to life as they make their way through ecosystems.
ELEMENT CYCLE
34. A material quality which describes how readily a substance vaporizes. VOLATILITY
35. It is a chemical process in which a substance is used to bind metals or minerals so they can
be excreted from the body. CHELATION
36. It is the family of elements that are poor conductors of electricity. NON-METALS
37. May occur on time scales ranging from fractions of seconds to millenia or more. RETENTION
38-40. Three essential nutrients for organisms. N, C, S

Identify the following situations of move, stick, and change whether it is driven by physical,
chemical, or biological vectors.
MOVE
1. PHYSICAL - Insect frass falling out of trees onto soil
2. CHEMICAL - Diffusion of carbon dioxide away from areas of respiration in the soil.
3. BIOLOGICAL - Migrating salmon carry large amounts of nutrients upstream, against the
current.
4. BIOLOGICAL - Bioaccumulation of concentration of mercury in small fish and its transfer to
predatory fish or birds.
STICK
1. PHYSICAL - Sedimentation of organic material in a lake.
2. BIOLOGICAL - Retention of allochtonous carbon from a watershed through consumption by
in-lake bacteria that are themselves consumed and eventually become part of fish biomass.
3. CHEMICAL - Precipitation of iron and sulfur as iron sulfide at the bottom of a lake.
CHANGE
1. CHEMICAL - Whether iron is bound with phosphate or is free in solution at the sediment-
water interface at the bottom of a lake.
2. CHEMICAL - When sulfate is reduced to hydrogen sulfide by microbes using sulfur as electron
acceptor in metabolic processes.
3. CHEMICAL - When potassium is released from plant roots and binds on the soil exchange
complex.
 THE CARBON CYCLE
CARBON 1. What is the most important element on earth that makes up fossil fuels, the
principle building block for the organic compounds that make up life.

CARBON DIOXIDE 2. The second most important greenhouse gas.

DIAMOND,

GRAPHITE,

FULLERENES, 3-6. Four forms of pure carbon

NANOTUBE

ORGANIC COMPOUNDS 7. Compounds that contains carbon and composes living things.

MONOMER 8. One single organic molecule

POLYMER 9. Multiple organic molecules pieced together

HYDROCARBON 10.Compound that contains only carbon and oxygen.

INORGANIC COMPOUNDS 11. Compounds that do not contain carbon bonded to hydrogen.

PHOTOSYNTHESIS 12. Plants turn CO2 obtained from the atmosphere into sugar, tissues, etc. via
this process

Cellular respiration 13. Autotrophs/ heterotrophs breaks organic molecule, returning CO2 to the
atmosphere via this process.

Limestones 14. An inactive reservoir and the largest reservoir of carbon on earth.

Atmosphere

Biomass in land

Fossil fuels 15-18. Active carbon reservoirs

Ocean

CARBON CYCLE 19. The element cycle that involves conversion of inorganic CO2 into organic
compounds and its subsequent remineralization to CO2

Autotrophs 20. CO2 enters food chain/ food web through?

Organic carbon 21. Photosynthesized carbon that passes through food chain via heterotrophs

Biological carbon cycle 22. A type of carbon cycle that happens in the biosphere.

Geological carbon cycle 23. The geological pathway of carbon cycle that takes place much longer than
the biological carbon cycle.

CO2 in acid form 24. The form of CO2 when dissolved in water.
Calcium carbonate 25. A key component of the shells of marine organisms.

Soil organic carbon 26. Carbon stored in soil

Fossil fuels 27. Hydrocarbons formed from the remains of dead plants and animals

High pressure 28-29. Factors that leads to formation of coal, oil, and natural gas.

Increased temperature

Combustion 30. The process of releasing CO2 in the atmosphere by burning.

Subduction 31. The carbon-containing sediments in the ocean floor are taken deep within
the earth forming CO2 in the process

Volcanic eruptions 32. Natural phenomena that releases CO2, calcium carbonate, water vapor and
silica from the subduction zone to the atmosphere.

Short term fluctuations 33. The sub cycle of carbon cycle that involves rapid carbon exchange among
organism

Long term cycling 34. The sub cycle of carbon cycle that occurs when organic matter is buried and
forms sedimentary rocks.

Anthropogenic emissions35. The increase of CO2,methane, nitrous oxide is caused by what kind of
emission?

Greenhouse gases 36. Referring to the gases that contribute to warming the earth’s surface is
called?

Greenhouse effect 37. The term used to address the effect of minor gases in the temperature of
the atmosphere.

Carbon dioxide 38. An influential greenhouse gas that is produced when carbon atom is burned.

Methane 39. A greenhouse gas that is produced when organic matter decomposes in low
oxygen environments.

Nitrous oxide 40. A greenhouse gas that is produced by using fertilizers

Sulfur hexafluoride 41. A greenhouse gas that is extremely potent and often used in electric power
industry

Sunlight 42. UV energy driven by the sun to the earth’s surface

Clouds/ earth’s surface 43. Reflects some incoming solar radiation back to space.

Greenhouse gases 44. gases that traps the escaping heat.

Global warming 45. The increase in earth’s atmospheric temperature.

33°C warmer 46. The effect of global warming on temperature.

Sources 47. Processes which release CO2 into the atmosphere are called?

Sinks 48. Processes which removes CO2 from the atmosphere are called?

Soil respiration 49. Refers to the production of CO2 when soil organisms respire.

Atmosphere 50. The collective mass of gases that surrounds earth or another planet.

NITROGEN CYCLE
1. Named after the Greek word nitron meaning “native soda” and genes for “forming” (Nitrogen)
2. Nitrogen gas constitutes how many percent of the Earth’s air? (78%)
3. Atomic number of Nitrogen (7)
4. The dinitrogen gas in the air is subjected to what bond? (triple bond)
5. How many percent does nitrogen contribute to the animal body? (3%)
6. Chemical form of Nitrate (NO3-)
7. Chemical form of Nitrite (NO2-)
8. Chemical form of Ammonia (NH3)
9. Process of converting dinitrogen gas into ammonia (Nitrogen Fixation)
10. Process of converting ammonia into nitrites and nitrates (Nitrification)
11. Nitrification has how many steps? (2 steps)
12. Nitrogen is important for the buildup of? (DNA/RNA/AMINO ACIDS/PROTEINS)
13. Used in agriculture as fertilizer, as refrigerant gas, for purification of water supplies etc.
(Ammonia)
14. What are able to carry our nitrogen fixation? (Prokaryotes)
15. Type of nitrogen fixing organism that needs a host to carry out process. (Symbiotic)
16. Enzyme found in nitrogen fixing organisms (Nitrogenase)
17. Catalyzes reduction of dinitrogen gas into ammonia (Nitrogenase)
18. Frequently added to processed meats to function as preservatives that prevent bacteria growth
(Nitrates and Nitrites)
19. Process that mostly occur aerobically (with oxygen) carried out by prokaryotes (Nitrification)
20. Microbes that carry out first step of nitrification are known as? (Ammonia oxidizers)
21. Prokaryotes that carry out second step of nitrification are called? (Nitrate oxidizing bacteria)
22. Process carried out by prokaryotes that oxidize ammonia to produce gaseous nitrogen.
(Ammonification)
23. Process that converts nitrate to nitrogen gas. (Anaerobic ammonium oxidation/ANAMMOX)
24. It is when various organisms and prokaryotes decompose tissue of dead organisms and release
it back to ecosystem as ammonia. (Denitrification)
25. Nitrogen is composed of how many percent on Earth? (78%)
26. Ammonia can also be found in? (Dead plants, dead animals and animal waste)
27. The process in which Nitrogen is converted into Nitrogenous Compounds? (Nitrogen Fixation)
28. Where does the conversion of Nitrogen to Ammonia happens? (Root nodules of a plant)
29. What do you call the component that concerts nitrogen to ammonia? (Rhizobium Bacterium)
 30. What do you call the component that converts ammonia to nitrates? (Nitrifying Bacteria)
31. What is another way to break down nitrogen into nitrogenous component. (Lightning Strikes)
32. Plants use nitrates to make ____. (Protein)
33. What happens to the ammonia that does not get into the plant? (It will be converted to
Nitrogen)
34. What do you call the component that converts Nitrates back to Nitrogen? (Denitrifying
Bacteria)
35. Where does the Nitrogen go after it has been converted back to itself again? ( in to the
atmosphere)
36. The percentage of Nitrogen in the atmosphere remains ____? (Constant)
37. Species of microscopic plants in the ocean that taken up ammonium. (phytoplankton)
38. They are more likely to decompose dead organisms in the ocean for continued use in the cycle.
(Bacteria)
39. Process in which oxygen will undergo when extra nitrogen overwhelms the nitrogen cycling in
the ocean? (Depletion)
40. Example of practices where humans will add up nitrous oxides in the atmosphere. (Emissions
from automobiles, home furnace factories, powerplants)
41. They are more likely to break the triple bond and nitrogen gas in the ocean. (Bacteria)
42. Ways to reduce or minimize the impact of releasing a large amount of nitrous oxide in the
atmosphere. (Better farming practices, save electricity, finding alternative methods of
transport and energy use)
43. Comparison between nitrogen intake and nitrogen loss from the body. (NITROGEN BALANCE)
44. Sole source of nitrogen in the body. (PROTEINS)
45. Nitrogen intake is greater than loss. (POSITIVE NITROGEN BALANCE)
46. Nitrogen loss is greater than intake. (NEGATIVE NITROGEN BALANCE)
47. Percentage of nitrogen composition in a human body. - (3-4%)
48. Percentage of nitrogen composition in plants. - (3%)
49. 7. Nitrogen is excreted/lost in the form of __________ (NPN SUBSTANCES)
50. 8. A positive nitrogen balance occurs when urinary losses are less than intake. It may occur in:
_______________ (ACTIVE GROWTH)
51. 9. A negative nitrogen balance occurs when urinary nitrogen losses are greater than oral
nitrogen intake. It may occur in: _________ (MALNUTRITION)

GROUP 8: Phosphorus Cycle

1. Other term used for aluminum phosphate mineral or Al-P. Variscite
2. Other term used for iron phosphate mineral or Fe-P. Strengite
3. Region of the soil that serves as the gateway for nutrients and water. Rhizosphere
4. Forerunner of Phosphorus cycle. Microbes
5-6.Two components or forms of Phosphorus after disintegrations. Inorganic and organic
7. This causes algal blooms, aquatic plant growth, and taste and odor problems, and oxygen
depletion in the water column. Eutrophication
8-10. Phosphorus is mainly a phosphate ion that precipitates together with these 3 elements. Al,
Fe, and Ca
11. The early source of fertilizer P which are mined in the 19th century. Phosphorites
12-13. Elements that are naturally found in the organic-rich marine sediments that are
precursors to phosphorites but also toxic to plants. Cadmium and Uranium
14. A period after WW II that saw prosperity in some countries and exponential growth in global
populations. Green Revolution
15. The process of separating the beneficial P from the toxic heavy metals. Leaching
Techniques
16-18. Detrimental environmental conditions that are caused by high production of the food
fueled by fertilizers. Eutrophication, Dead zones, Soil Loss
19. It refers to the adding of phosphorus to water at a rate typically achieved by natural
processes. Natural Eutrophication
20. It is the net increase in dissolved P-release from land due to human activities. Artificial
Eutrophication
21. Type of Phosphorus that is easily burnt under the heat of the sunlight. White Phosphorus
22. Type Phosphorus that is useless in the industry. Black Phosphorus
23. This type of Phosphorus is the derivative of white phosphorus. It is more stable and used in
the industry. Red Phosphorus
24. A method of producing phosphoric acid through the addition of a sulfuric acid to a phosphate
mineral. Chemical Treatment
25. A method in producing phosphoric acid through using white phosphorus that produces a bi-
product of phosphate salts. Oxidation of white phosphorus
26. This part of the phosphorus cycle gives way for phosphorus to travel in the form of dust in
the air. Weathering
27. A common form of Phosphorus that is also called Phosphorus trioxide in the industry.
Phosphorus hexoxide
28. What is the form of phosphorus when it is inorganic in rocks in the phosphorus cycle?
Inorganic Phosphates
29. One of the species of this abundant type of phosphate mineral is pyromorphite. Apatite
30. It is the form of phosphorus when it is inorganic in water. Phosphate ions
31. Aqueous phosphates exist in the form of this kind phosphorus in strongly basic conditions.
Phosphate ion
32. Aqueous phosphates exist in the form of this kind phosphorus in weakly basic conditions.
Hydrogen phosphate ion
33. Aqueous phosphates exist in the form of this kind phosphorus in weakly acidic conditions. ,
dihydrogen phosphate
34. Aqueous phosphates exist in the form of this kind phosphorus in strongly acidic conditions.
trihydrogen phosphate / phosphoric acid
35. It is the release of adsorbed phosphorus from its bound state into soil solution. Desorption
36. The process wherein bacteria breaks down organic matter into inorganic forms of
phosphorus. Mineralisation
37. A biological process in which there is an addition of a phosphoryl group in an organic
molecule. Phosphorylation
38. A biological process in which there is a removal of a phosphoryl group in an organic
molecule. Dephosphorylation
39. A trihedral inorganic phosphorus compound. Phosphate group
40. A tetrahedral organic phosphorus compound that acts as a functional group in an amino
acid. Phosphoryl group.
41. It is estimating the risk of P delivered to surface of water and also assesses the potential of
P to move from agricultural field to surface water. Phosphorus index approach
42. A human resource management of global phosphorus to terrestrial. Pollution reduction
43. A human management to global phosphorus that resulted into agriculturally inevitable
nutrient losses and environmentally acceptable nutrient losses. Reducing manure application
rates
44. Recommends that organic manure application rates match crop phosphorus uptake for a
rotation of soils containing 25mg L-1 Olsen-extractable phosphorus. Code of agricultural
practice for the protection of water quality
45. What country required all of its state to adopt phosphorus index approach? United States
of America
46. In what country thus the Code of agricultural practice for the protection of water quality is
being implemented. United Kingdom
47. The basis of potential of the phosphorus loss in a runoff. Selected Soil, field
characteristics and management system
48. It is defined as the supply of fertilizers and manure application that meets crop demands and
compensates for inevitable losses. Equilibrium fertilization rate
49. No phosphorus fertilizer is recommended for most crops in what mg of Olsen extractable
phosphorus? 45mg
50. An environmentally acceptable loss of phosphorus. 1kg Phosphorus Pentoxide

Group 9
1. In ecosystem research, this is the allocation of resources in a certain ecosystem –
BUDGET
2. By defining _______, an ecosystem is established – BOUNDARIES
3. Important feature of ecosystem concept where it includes and covers all of its
components – INCLUSIVENESS
4. Important feature of ecosystem concept where it can be easily changed or modified
according to the situation – FLEXIBILITY
5. An approach that is commonly used in ecosystem research – MASS BALANCE
6. An ecosystem is ______, it has no definite size – SCALE INDEPENDENT
7. What is the status of the ecosystem if INPUT = OUTPUT – STEADY STATE
8. What is the status of the ecosystem if ecosystem is positive – INPUTS ARE
ACCUMULATING
 9. What is the status of the ecosystem if ecosystem is negative – NET LOSS
10. Give the equation for the diagram – INPUT = ECOS + OUTPUT
11. One of the principal goals of science – ACHIEVE GENERALIZATION
12. An approach in obtaining generality through processes such as experiments –
SYNTHETIC APPROACH
13. An approach in obtaining generality through the elimination of ideas – DEDUCTIVE
REASONING
14. – 16. Enumerate 3 key features of ecosystem research – BUDGETS & BOUNDARIES,
INCLUSIVENESS & FLEXIBILITY, GENERALITY & PREDICTION
17. Ecosystem can be considered as a _____. – BLACKBOX
18. - 19. Considered components in conduction ecosystem research depends on the ____
of the research. – GOAL AND QUESTION
20. Boundaries are commonly based on_______. – CONVENIENCE/EASILY IDENTIFIED
LOCATION

GROUP 10: ECOSYSTEM IN A HETEROGENEOUS

WORLD

I. Identification

1. It is composed of parts of different kinds; having widely dissimilar elements or constituents.

Heterogeneous
2. The ecosystem concept has been a powerful tool in ecology, as it allows the use of the
quantitative and rigorous laws of conservation of mass and energy in the analysis of entire
ecological systems. Nature of heterogeneity
3.The structure, composition, or processes underway at each place differ. Spatial
Heterogeneity
4&5. Ways to achieve a successful conservation. Understanding how a patch changes,
Predicting how patch will be affected by external forces
6-7. Enumerate 5 external forces that affects the conservation efforts (in any order). Land,
Disturbance, Restoration, Succession, Human activities
 II. Fill in the blanks

8. are porous and all ecosystems are open systems that exchange matter,
energy, information, and organisms with their surroundings. Ecosystem boundaries
9. This openness means that ecosystems are spatially separate and in fact interconnected parts
of a . Larger Landscape
10. A three-dimensional patchiness or gradients such that different places are different from one
another. Spatial Heterogeneity
11 & 12. Large patches have more and greater . habitat
diversity, population diversity
13. Have higher population and less likely to go extinct over time. Large patches
14. closed to a larger patch is more likely to maintain their populations; farther
patches risk extinction. Patches
15. Large patches have more . Core
16. Dividing a patch creates more . Edge
17.The structure, composition, or processes underway at each place differ. Spatial
Heterogeneity
18&19. Ways to achieve a successful conservation. Understanding how a patch changes,
Predicting how patch will be affected by external forces
20-21. Enumerate 5 external forces that affects the conservation efforts (in any order). Land,
Disturbance, Restoration, Succession, Human activities

For 22-31. Determine what kind of External forces each of the following belongs:
22. Rehabilitation of a portion of Johnson Creek, to restore bioswale and flood control functions
of the land which had long been converted to pasture for cow grazing. Restoration
23. Habitat fragmentation caused by numerous roads near the Indiana Dunes National
Lakeshore. Land Use
24. Wildfires in Amazon. Disturbance
25. A landscape turns into a farmland. Land Use
26. Regeneration of plants after wildfires. Succession
27. Clearcutting in the mountains of Batangas. Human Activities
28. Rehabilitation of Boracay. Restoration
29. An overflow of water that submerges land that is usually dry. Disturbance
30. Volcanic eruptions Disturbance
31. Harmful Chemicals flows from mining site all the way to a body of water. Human Activities
32. Construction of Real Estates. Land Use
33. Insect outbreaks in an agricultural land. Disturbance
34. Soil treatment or soil fertility. Restoration
For 35-40. Determine the following Principles for Assessing Heterogeneity:
35. Maintaining habitat is fundamental to conservation. PRINCIPLE 2
36. Climate influences terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems.PRINCIPLE 6
37. All things are connected but the nature and strength of those connections vary.PRINCIPLE
4
38. Protection of species and species’ subdivisions will conserve genetic diversity.PRINCIPLE 1
39. Disturbances shape the characteristics of populations, communities, and ecosystems.
PRINCIPLE 5
40. Large areas usually contain more species than smaller areas with similar habitat.
PRINCIPLE 3

GROUP 11

1. It is the description of the organisms and physical features of an

environment. STRUCTURE OF ECOSYSTEM
2. These pertains to the exchange of energy and nutrients in the food chain.
FUNCTIONS OF ECOSYSTEM
3. These are the factors that are needed to maintain ecosystem equilibrium.
CONTROLS
4. It is when an ecosystem is in a relatively stable state that keeps population
sizes in sustainable range. ECOSYSTEM EQUILIBRIUM
5. It is the ability to remain in equilibrium. HOMEOSTASIS
6. It is when species in ecosystem die off due to too many or too few species.
POPULATION CRASH
7. These are the parameters that measures RESILIENCE
8. the changes in the ecosystem. RESISTENCE
9. It is the ability of an ecosystem to remain at equilibrium despite
disturbances. RESISTANCE
10. It is the speed at which an ecosystem recovers to equilibrium despite
disturbances. RESILIENCE
11. These are the species which have an extremely high impact on a particular
ecosystem relative to its population. KEYSTONE SPECIES
12. They are very critical to the overall structure and function of an ecosystem,
and their absence would make an ecosystem fail. KEYSTONE SPECIES
13. They prevent herbivores from decimating the plant species in the
ecosystem. SMALL PREDATORS
14. These predators, such as lion, jaguar and grey wolf help balance large
ecosystems by consuming a wide variety of prey species. LARGE
MAMMALIAN PREDATORS
15. These specie feed on sea urchins and prevent the destruction of kelp forest.
SEA OTTER
16. They consume mussels in areas without natural predators. SEA STAR
17. These factors control the structure of ecosystem but are themselves not
influenced by the ecosystem. EXTERNAL FACTORS
18. These are the factors that control the availability of resources within the
ecosystem. INTERNAL FACTORS
19. It is the process by which the structure of a biological community evolves
over time. SUCCESSION
20. It states that nutrient supply controls how ecosystems function. BOTTOM-UP
CONTROL
21. It states that predation and grazing by higher trophic levels controls the
ecosystem function. TOP-DOWN CONTROL
22. It is an ecological phenomenon triggered by the addition of or removal of
top predators and involving reciprocal changes in the relative populations
of predator and prey through a food chain. TROPHIC CASCADE
23. It happens when a natural or human-caused disturbance disrupts the
natural balance of an ecosystem. ECOLOGICAL IMBALANCE
24. It is any change that causes a disruption in the balance of an ecosystem.
ECOLOGICAL IMBALANCE
25. These are naturally occurring events that can affect ecosystem equilibrium.
NATURAL DISTURBANCES
26. These are human-induced activities that can affect ecosystem equilibrium.
HUMAN-CAUSED DISTURBANCES
27. It is a natural occurrence where a normally dry area is abruptly becomes
submerged in water. FLOODING
28. It is a natural disaster which is also known as forest fires. WILDFIRE
29. It occurs when molten rock, ash, and steam pour through a vent in the
Earth’s crust. VOLCANIC ERUPTION
30. It is a prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall leading to a shortage of
water. DROUGHT
31. It pertains to economic activities that involves clearing out places with
natural vegetative cover. HABITAT DESTRUCTION
32. It is the process of clearing out a part of a forest to produce timber.
LOGGING
33. It is the process of extracting minerals from the earth’s surface. MINING
34. It happens when the upper layers of the soil are exposed to the sun’s heat
due to massive logging. EROSION
35. This releases highly destructive agents or chemicals into the environment.
POLLUTION
36. It is the process by which a body of water becomes enriched in dissolved
nutrients (such as phosphates) that stimulate the growth of aquatic plant
life usually resulting in the depletion of dissolved oxygen. EUTROPHICATION
37. The known consequences of this process are bloom of blue-green algae,
contaminated drinking water supplies, and aquatic hypoxia.
EUTROPHICATION
38. It is the oxygen deficiency in the aquatic environment. AQUATIC HYPPOXIA
39. It is a specie that is not native to a specific location that is believed to cause
damage to the environment of that specific location. INVASIVE SPECIES
40. It is the use of natural resources for economic growth. EXPLOITATION OF
NATURAL RESOURCES
41. It refers to harvesting a natural resource to the point of diminishing returns.
OVERHARVESTING
42. It has three main wavelengths: UVA, UVB and UVC, and UVA reaches the
earth’s surface all the time. UV RADIATION
43. These are the destructive wavelengths of UV rays. UVB an UVC
44. It causes the destructive wavelengths of UV rays to reach the Earth’s
surface and harm life forms. OZONE DEPLETION
45. These include nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, methane and
hydrofluorocarbon. GREENHOUSE GASES
46. It is a natural process that warms the Earth’s surface. GREENHOUSE EFFECT
47. It is the breakdown of ozone molecules due to the release of
chlorofluorocarbon (CFCs) halons in the atmosphere. OZONE DEPLETION
48. It is the gradual increase in the overall temperature of the Earth’s
atmosphere. GLOBAL WARMING
49. It is a change in global or regional climate patterns. CLIMATE CHANGE
50. Rainfall that is made sufficiently acidic by atmospheric pollution that it
causes environmental harm. ACID RAIN