Unit 9 Explained Standards

Unit 9 Explained Standards

Essential Question Standard: EEn.2.7 How do the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere individually and collectively affect ​the biosphere? (14 - 19%)​​​​​

Topics: EEn.2.7.1 – Explain how abiotic and biotic factors interact to create the various biomes in NC.

What is a biotic factor? An Abiotic factor?

A biotic factor is a living component of an ecosystem, while an abiotic factor is a non-living component of an ecosystem.

How do biotic and abiotic factors determine biome classification?

Temperature

Rainfall

Altitude

Type of plant

Latitude

Type of animals

Biotic factors such as the type of species present affect which species can coexist with them. If a non-native species is introduced into an ecosystem it will completely screw it up. Abiotic factors such as the amount of nutrients present and the amount of sunlight affect plants directly, but this eventually affects all the organisms in the ecosystem. The amount of sunlight can affect how often animals get overheated, which can affect how much water they need and etc.

Compare impacts of biotic and abiotic factors on biodiversity.

One biotic factor that can influence biodiversity is the introduction of an invasive species. This would decrease the available food and space, and in some cases the invasive species can also attack local species. An abiotic factor that can affect biodiversity is the amount of resources present. For example, if a species exists in an environment where there is almost no food, that species will struggle to survive.

Match landforms and soils to biomes.

Pedocal - semiarid/arid regions - western US

Pedalfer - temperate regions - eastern US

Laterite - tropical regions -

India

Topics: EEn.2.7.2 – Explain why biodiversity is important to the biosphere.

Define the biosphere.

The worldwide sum of all ecosystems.

Explain biodiversity as including:

Genetic variation within populations

Variation of populations within ecosystems

Biodiversity exists within populations to help adapt to changing environments. Biodiversity exists within ecosystems so that one organism doesn’t grow too big and use up all of its resources.

How do environmental conditions decide what plants and animals makeup life within various biomes?

Different organisms do better in different temperature and precipitation amounts, aka climate.

Explain the global impact of loss of biodiversity.

The loss of biodiversity could lead to mass-extinctions of many species due to the organisms not being able to adapt to changing environments.

EEn.2.7.3 – Explain how human activities impact the biosphere.

Explain effects of the following on various plant and animal species in NC:

Human population growth

Habitat alteration

Introduction of invasive species

Pollution

Overharvesting

The more humans there are, the more energy, resources and space that we need. To do this, we alter other species’ habitats to suit our needs. Sometimes, to make an area to our liking, we introduce a new species without considering any consequences whatsoever. To meet our energy needs, we burn countless tons of coal to turn it into electricity, along with our use of oil. In order to build enough homes to house all of our people, we harvest too many trees, along with other resources. This will eventually lead to there not being enough trees to make homes one day, unless we make some changes now.

How do invasive non-native species affect plants and animals in an NC ecosystem?

Invasive species threaten the safety of all organisms in the area that they are introduced to. These new species will take over the habitat and drain the resources that those originally inhabiting desperately need to live.

Summarize ways to reduce human impact on the biosphere.

Humans can plant a tree every time they cut one down, and switch to entirely clean and renewable energy sources. We could also develop cities that incorporate some pre-existing species’ habitat around town.